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  1. #1
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    Default Bear canisters on the Colorado Trail? Are bears/critters a problem on the trail?

    Are bears a problem on the Colorado Trail? I know that bear canisters are not "required", but are they useful or needed? I am considering using an Ursack (to keep stored in the vestibule of my tent) because of weight considerations. Any thought or experience with this issue will be greatly appreciated.
    Julio

  2. #2
    Registered User lonehiker's Avatar
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    Canisters aren't necessary just practice good food handling procedures. Why would you store an Ursack under your vestibule? The website is pretty explicit that they not be stored near your camp.
    Lonehiker (MRT '22)

  3. #3

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    While I haven't done CT yet (next year) I have lived and camped in the Colorado mountains for several years and never found bears to be an issue. An Ursack is only useful if you tie it to something the bear can't take it away from, but it doesn't prohibit smells. Observe practical food safety, either by using an Ursack and tying it to a tree or rock, or hanging a generic dry bag from a tree.

  4. #4

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    I have been involved with management of the CT for 16 years. During that period, there have been something like 10 hikes that I know of which were ruined because of bears raiding tents and campsites for food. That is not a really large number, but in almost every case the eventual solution to the problem is that the careless hikers are excused and the problem bear is destroyed. So yeah, if you want to contribute to the destruction of some bears, be a careless slob.

    It is not difficult to hang your food, and even easier to tie a Ursack around a tree.
    May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.


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  5. #5
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    I asked this question in another thread and I'll ask again here:
    If camping above tree line, can I find suitable rocks for securing an Ursack? The area around Highland Mary Lakes is one place that I'm concerned about. Thanks for your help.

    Wayne


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  6. #6
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Yes you can.
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    I never saw a bear when I hiked the CT and neither did anyone I met.

  8. #8
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyMan View Post
    I never saw a bear when I hiked the CT and neither did anyone I met.
    They were down at the Valecito campground.

    Thanks Paul. I'll wait until August to buy the Ursack. Hopefully REI will have the Major version by then.
    I'm ready to go NOW!

    Wayne
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Venchka View Post
    They were down at the Valecito campground.

    Thanks Paul. I'll wait until August to buy the Ursack. Hopefully REI will have the Major version by then.
    I'm ready to go NOW!

    Wayne
    Wayne
    Assume your doing CT thru in Sept?

  10. #10
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by saltysack View Post
    Wayne
    Assume your doing CT thru in Sept?
    Nope. Just the bits of the CDT/CT south of Silverton. Driving out from Texas the first week of September and find a good trailhead to get acclimated. Meeting an old friend the second week and ridding the train to Elk Park. Hike up, down and around to Chicago Basin and down to Needleton. Catch the train back to Silverton. Drive home. I haven't been in the San Juans since forever.
    I'm way overdue.

    Wayne
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  11. #11
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    Sounds like a great trip..I hiked with a guy on jmt who highly recommended that CT section. He said the train ride was a neat experience. Hopefully I'll be doing the collegiate loop mid late sept..


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  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyMan View Post
    I never saw a bear when I hiked the CT and neither did anyone I met.
    The estimated black bear population for Colorado is about 12,000 animals. I grew up in Colorado, live in Durango, and have seen numerous black bears over the years. I have completed the CT six times beginning in 1990, work on CT trail crews, and spend quite a bit of time on the trail. I have seen at least 20 bears on the trail over those years. Don't kid yourself. They are out there.

    I have never had a bad experience in any of these encounters. There is something really neat about seeing a bear on the trail. However, I do hang my food or utilize a Ursack when I am out there.
    Last edited by bearcreek; 05-05-2016 at 21:15.
    May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.


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  13. #13
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    Yeah, bears all over the place in CO, I've seen and had encounters with maybe a dozen in 35 years. Still, one month on one trail, pretty good chance you won't see any, but absolutely please do practice proper bear discipline, as BC says, you're possibly basically killing a bear if you do not.

    The list of place in CO requiring bear canisters is growing, used to be just RMNP, now the National Forest near/above Aspen requires them.

  14. #14
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by colorado_rob View Post
    The list of place in CO requiring bear canisters is growing, used to be just RMNP, now the National Forest near/above Aspen requires them.
    Speaking of that area...

    You probably saw this item in the news yesterday: (Boulder Camera link; originally in the Aspen Times)

    http://www.dailycamera.com/recreatio...m-maroon-bells

    The biggest change in style would be implementation of a permit system to visit high-use areas such as Conundrum Hot Springs, the Four Pass Loop and possibly Capitol Lake, Aspen-Sopris
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  15. #15
    Registered User colorado_rob's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mags View Post
    Speaking of that area...

    You probably saw this item in the news yesterday: (Boulder Camera link; originally in the Aspen Times)

    http://www.dailycamera.com/recreatio...m-maroon-bells

    The biggest change in style would be implementation of a permit system to visit high-use areas such as Conundrum Hot Springs, the Four Pass Loop and possibly Capitol Lake, Aspen-Sopris
    Yeah, this is a good thing. I first did the 4-pass back in 2005 or so, saw maybe 10 people in 20 miles, once past Crater lake all the way around to within a couple miles of the end of the loop. Last year (my 6th 4-pass) I think I saw maybe 200-300, honest to doG. And conumdrum? hot springs It's a zoo back there. Yeah, there's a reason, gorgeous area. Almost as good as it gets.
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  16. #16
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by colorado_rob View Post
    Last year (my 6th 4-pass) I think I saw maybe 200-300,
    Wowsers.. I have not been since 2005 myself. Conundrum has been a while, too. Daaammnn....
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
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  17. #17
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    That settles it. I'm not saying anything about backpacking destinations until I post a trip report. If then.

    Wayne


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  18. #18
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by saltysack View Post
    Sounds like a great trip..I hiked with a guy on jmt who highly recommended that CT section. He said the train ride was a neat experience. Hopefully I'll be doing the collegiate loop mid late sept..


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Thanks. I hope it will good. If I haven't waited too long.
    The Loop is on my radar. But I'm not talking. Grinning.

    Wayne
    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
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