Martin,
Yes, it is bear country. In fact, it is grizzly country. We have never seen a grizzly on the trail although we have encountered black bears. On one trail we simply could not get the horses to move on down the trail. At first we thought they were just being stubborn and wanting to head back to camp. After a few minutes we realized the reason...momma bear and 3 cubs crossed about 25 yards in front of us.
It was of some comfort knowing our guide had a rifle with him but little did we know he kept it in the scabbord on his saddle 50 feet away at night while we were all tucked in our 1/16th inch cloth pup tents.

Leslie

Leslie
Hospital Employed Physician Who Misses The Old AC

"It's a good thing for a doctor to have prematurely grey hair and itching piles. It makes him appear to know more than he does and gives him an expression of concern which the patient interprets as being on his behalf. "