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Bear-proof?

Mick'nSarah

Mick'nSarah

Junior Ranger
Hi all-

In my planning for this summer's trips, I was just curious what others have experienced in their trips to Yellowstone, most specifically with the 'galley-life'. I have seen differing opinions posted about what folks do, and I am trying to come up with a game plan. Just trying to set my expectations.

Do you leave your cooler/fridge in the galley with the hatch locked or do you put everything in the car/bear boxes? I have a fridge and would prefer to keep it in the galley, and was figuring I would be ok. What have you all experienced?

We always keep toothpaste away from campsites, keep the grill in the car (although I have recently switched to a cast iron one that goes on my stove) and use the waste water disposals after doing dishes at the trailer. I understand there are wash up locales at the campsites though. With my little guy, it is easier to wash up at the trailer usually, but is that something folks would discourage? Wasn't sure if the wash up place was more for the tent campers or if any extra waste water in the tanks would attract company of the furry and growly kind.

Thanks for any advice!
 
Hi, Sarah. In our one visit to Yosemite, they were very clear as to what needed to go where. This was before the TD so we stayed in Curry Village. EVERYTHING wBob and as supposed to go in the bear box and because we had just started out, the cooler was incredibly heavy. We found out later in our visit that we could have arranged for a utility cart to drive over to the car and carry the cooler and the rest of our stuff; instead we walked it all to our assigned tent which was a huge pain in the butt and source of some grumpiness between Bob and me!

Anyway, I'd suggest you call the park and ask. I'd be interested in the answer because we are having the same questions re our trip to Alaska.

Just found this on page 9 of the Yosemite Guide (http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg13-3.pdf) "Food may be stored out of sight in hard-sided RVs
with windows closed."
 
Sarah,

I spend time in Yellowstone throughout each camping season. Remember that in addition to the black bears you'd find in Yosemite and many other places, Yellowstone also has Grizzlies. Grizzlies are serious bears, and their population has been increasing. So the Yellowstone park rangers rigidly enforce the storage rules for food and personal items. And as a result, campground incidents involving bears are uncommon.

You seem to already have good bear country camping practices. I think storing your fridge in the locked trailer will be fine. I store my cooler in my vehicle, covered by a tarp, and have had no problems.

The major campgrounds have sinks intended for disposal of dishwater. The sinks are located at each of the restroom buildings, and your practice of washing at the trailer and then using the disposal sinks is also fine. It's what I do as well.

If you also store dry foods and personal items locked up and out of sight, you will likely have no troubles.

Finally, in some 30 years of visiting Yellowstone I've had only one incident involving a bear in a campground. A black bear came by to 'inspect' my SUV. And it seemed to specifically explore the edges of my doors and windows! A great example of why following the park storage rules is so important.

Ed
 
Thanks for your input Ed, and welcome to the forum!

Do you own a CampInn, plan on acquiring one, or might you just be thinking about it??
 
Follow the camp rules. Living in California, bears are a constant. You could be fifty miles away with a hurricane for an up-wind and those little devils will still catch a scent. We've always used the bear boxes and have had no problems to date. Yes, it can be a bit of a hassle, but is sure beats having your camper opened like a sardine can.

Ask Jenn about the nice scars on her TD. Good story, that.

And Yellowstone is wonderful. Look for moose.


Sue
 
Right now I have reservations for nights at Madison CG, Canyon CG, and Grant CG, then we will move into Grand Teton. I am thinking of Signal Mountain CG unless folks have other recommendations (very open to suggestions!). Everything I have read indicated the bears are not a huge problem with the way the camp grounds are run and how strict the rangers are (that is a good thing). In places we have camped, where black bears have been present, we haven't seen hide nor hare, although we saw some fairly fresh scat, but they came nowhere near us and the scat was on our hike (we kept a close eye out and an ear). I have seen 3 black bears in my life, mostly in southern Oregon and around the Shasta area, and they seem to keep to themselves for the most part. Griz's I figure are a slightly different story, or the rules wouldn't be so heavily enforced. I am not looking for trouble. I am trying to figure out which coolers I should bring. If I bring my fridge, I want to keep it plugged in, which would mean either galley or back of the car. If I bring my Coleman, I am going to be looking for ice every couple of days, but I can put it in a bear box. Just working that out.

One site was even saying not to cook in your galley (ever) because the scent will bring the bears round. I figured the bacon will be a rare commodity for us, because that is our most fragrant food (best I can tell...and it lingers) and I will clean up well after grilling other meats (may bring our small BBQ so I can stow it in the car). I have and will cook in the galley though. We will also use our campfire ring and use the Dutch oven.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Keep them coming!
 
Many years ago our campsite in Yellowstone was victimized by bears while we were away on a hike. They made a real mess of things. They are able to open anything and they are not very neat when they go rummaging. The primary damage they did was to slime our vehicles. Everything was covered with a thick layer of greasy stuff, not sure from what. Fwiw, we were warned repeatedly about the moose and not the bears.

In any event I would recommend this book:

Bear Attacks

It is a little dated but it really does put things in perspective and it is a good read.
 
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