Trail Updates

04/13/2026

The ATC received a report of a food-conditioned bear a couple miles north of Wapiti Shelter (approx. NOBO mile 620.5) that showed very little fear of humans, despite being yelled at and hikers trying to drive it off. The bear came with a few feet of a hiker.

You can protect yourself, other hikers, and the bears by:

• Educate yourself on bear safety and proper food storage before leaving for the Trail.
• Exercise caution in areas with frequent bear activity.
• Properly store all food, trash, and scented items at night in a bear canister. Never sleep with your food or trash.
• Keep a clean camp by picking up crumbs and cleaning up spills.
• Pack out all trash and food waste.
• Never leave unsecured food unattended - even for a moment such as a quick trip to the privy or to check out a view.

The ATC strongly recommends that all overnight hikers use a bear canister for their trips as they are the most reliable method of food storage on the A.T.

Please report bear encounters on the A.T. using our Bear Encounter Report form. Early intervention when there's a bear becoming habituated to humans protects hikers and the bears.