On a recent trip to Mount Wilson in the Angeles National Forest, a hiker had the adrenaline rush of a lifetime when a bear charged directly at them. Armed with nothing but some jingly bells, they quickly learned that these measures weren’t enough to deter a curious bear. As seen in cellphone footage, the bear followed the hiker and their companion for about a quarter mile, leading to quite the unexpected chase.
Eric Chiu, the person capturing the moment on video, explained that when they realized the bear wasn’t backing down, they decided to hike vertically up the slope and hide behind some bushes. This clever move allowed the bear to pass by without incident. While the encounter could’ve turned out quite differently, the hiker and bear both made it home safe and sound to tell the tale.
Adventures like this remind us of the thrill that comes with spending time in nature, but they also serve as a reminder to exercise caution when hiking in bear country. So the next time you hit the trails, you might want to think twice before jangling those bells—you never know who might come running to join the fun!
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
