A 50-year-old man St. Paul, Minn man was mauled by a grizzly bear Friday while hiking in Glacier National Park. The man was alone when he rounded a bend on the trail from Many Glacier to Piegan Pass at about noon and encountered a sow grizzly with one sub-adult. The hiker was carrying bear spray, but was unable to deploy it before the bear attacked.
The hiker sustained bites to his left thigh and left forearm, before the bear grabbed his foot, shook him, released him and left the area, according to a press release from the park service.
The man hiked back toward Many Glacier encountering a naturalist ranger leading a hike. The ranger notified dispatch while the man continued to the Many Glacier Ranger Station where he was treated for his injuries and then transported to the Blackfeet Community Hospital in Browning by the Babb Ambulance.
The trail from Piegan Pass to Feather Plum Falls is closed at this time, and rangers are investigating the incident.
Parks officials also reminded visitors to Glacier National Park that the park is home to black and grizzly bears. Hikers are advised to carry bear spray, and know how to use it. Hikers are also encouraged to hike in groups and make noise while hiking.