Last Wednesday, there was a bit of a stir when the sheriff's rescue helicopter landed two hikers at the Eliot Middle School field.
So what were they being rescued from? According to our source, they were on the Mt. Wilson toll road about a mile from the top when they encountered a very large bear. They fled behind the fence of a communications tower for shelter and called the authorities.
Says our source:
The male bear has been sighted before and I conjecture that we've
not heard of it as the publicity could result in lookie loos flocking
to catch a glimpse outweighing the safety factor of alerting the hiking
public.
Bottom line is that anyone entering the foothills should be logically aware that our bears, lions, bobcats and rattle snakes have the right of way. From now through October all these creatures are a bit short of food and water and have offspring to protect and provide for and could be a little testy about bipeds invading their space.
At this point I would cite the boiler plate list of cautions when hiking but the experienced hikers and folks with an ounce of common sense have it figured out and all the others wouldn't pay heed.
These two hikers got it right. Ease away, seek a little protection, call to reserve a one way flight home while bypassing TSA lines. No word on whether they had to disrobe before getting on board Air 5.
Bottom line is that anyone entering the foothills should be logically aware that our bears, lions, bobcats and rattle snakes have the right of way. From now through October all these creatures are a bit short of food and water and have offspring to protect and provide for and could be a little testy about bipeds invading their space.
At this point I would cite the boiler plate list of cautions when hiking but the experienced hikers and folks with an ounce of common sense have it figured out and all the others wouldn't pay heed.
These two hikers got it right. Ease away, seek a little protection, call to reserve a one way flight home while bypassing TSA lines. No word on whether they had to disrobe before getting on board Air 5.
Photo: thanks to Raina Wessen, who caught this in her yard last year!
