Connecticut – Bear Activity – Mt. Riga Shelter, 6/18/25
Connecticut
bear-activity
|hiking-safety
|Alert
06/18/2025
The ATC received a report of a bear at Mt. Riga Shelter that attempted to get into the bear box and was unsuccessful.
Hikers in this area should exercise caution, keep a clean camp by cleaning up all spills and crumbs, cook and eat at least 200 feet from campsites and the shelter, and properly store all food and scented items overnight in the provided bear box. Hikers using a bear canister can put their canister in the box unless it is full. Never leave food unattended – even for a moment to visit a privy or check out a view.
The ATC recommends using a bear canister no matter where you are on the A.T., since they have shown to be the most effective way to prevent bears from getting hiker food. It is difficult to do a proper bear hang (at least 12 feet high and at least 6 feet from the trunk and any branches), and ATC has received reports of bears on the Trail defeating even proper PCT-style hangs.
Learn more about bear safety, proper food storage on the A.T., and what to do if you encounter a bear on our Bear webpage.
Report all bear encounters via our Bear Encounter Report form.
The overturned bear box at Mt. Riga.