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Mountain Bikers Guide to Safe Riding in Bear Country
Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular in the Rocky Mountains, and with this popularity comes both added risk and increased responsibility. Mountain biking is dangerous due to the fact that the bikes move both fast and quiet. Also, the nature of the activity requires that most of the cyclists attention is on balance and control, and less is available for watching for bears. Cyclists need to take a more active approach to being bear aware. Here are some tips.
Use a noise maker on your bike, such as bells. You need to make noise, especially because bikes move very fast and exceedingly quiet. Bells are a start, but using your voice is an even better noise maker.
Watch for bear signs. If you suspect a bear may be in the area (based on food plants or signs), leave the area if possible, or at the very least, make an excessive amount of noise.
Avoid riding downhill at a high rate of speed. Should a bear suddenly appear, you will have less opportunity to react if you are moving quickly. This is especially true on winding hills where bears may be feeding around the next corner.
Avoid riding trails that are lined with seasonal food sources. This includes trails that pass through avalanche slopes in the spring, as well as those that go through patches of huckleberry in August and early September.
Ride in groups. This will increase your noise level, and also ensure that there will be someone to assist you if necessary.
Recreational opportunities abound in the Bull Lake area from camping and boating on Bull Lake to Wilderness hikes in the Cabinet Mountains. There are several fully developed campgrounds with full service and campground hosts. The beautiful Ross Creek Cedars area with interpretive trail and picnicking is a popular destination. There are hiking and horseback trails, dispersed camping and lots of opportunities for a variety of activities. The scenery is spectacular along the Bull River Road and the area is home to bears, deer, elk, small mammals and birds. Recreation is year round in the area with snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing in the winter. The landscape in the area is very diverse from low elevation timber and lakes to the outstanding peaks in the Cabinet Mountains and Scotchman Peak area.
The Libby Area has the Kootenai River from Libby Dam to Troy running through the heart of it. The Kootenai River is identified as a “blue ribbon trout stream”. The Purcell Range is located north of the River and features numerous peaks at 6000’ elevation. Turner Mountain Ski Area is located 22 miles north of Libby, providing 2200’ of vertical and 1000 acres of terrain for alpine skiing. The Cabinet Mountains are located south of the River with many peaks at 7500’ elevation. Snowshoe Peak at 8738’ is the tallest peak on the Kootenai National Forest. The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness located in this area provides visitors with self challenge, spiritual renewal, solitude, alpine scenery, and the opportunity to view unique wildlife (grizzly bear, mountain goat, wolverine, Canadian lynx, and peregrine falcons) and wildflowers. Over 132 species of wildflowers have been found in the Wilderness. Access into the Wilderness is by one of many non-motorized hiking trails. Kootenai Falls located 10 miles downstream of Libby is the last undammed falls on the Kootenai River. Located adjacent to US Highway 2, it is the most highly viewed scenic attraction on the Forest. Libby Dam located 17 miles upstream from Libby, forms 90 mile long Lake Koocanusa. More than 400 miles of summer use trail are open and available in the Libby Area. Over 60 miles of snowmobile trail and 15 miles of X-C ski are regularly groomed from December through March. Four developed campgrounds provide facilities for camping and picnicking. The Libby Area provides the nation’s first lookout tower available for public rental at Big Creek Baldy Mountain.
In the Tobacco area most campgrounds are open from May through September 30 (weather permitting). The elevation of the campgrounds and other sites range between 2100-2800 feet. Typical campsite facilities common to all sites include a parking spur, picnic table, grill and/or fire ring, tent pad and pathways. Most campgrounds have universally accessible facilities. Generally, campsite parking spurs were designed to accommodate a variety of recreation vehicles. Most spurs are back-in sites; lengths range between 30-50 feet and spur widths range between 12-24 feet.
