Trail Updates

05/20/2026

The ATC received a report of bear activity at Swaim Gap (NOBO mile 33.6). The bear, likely an adolescent, circled a hiker at their tent, bluff charged, and stole gear from the tent (damaging it in the process).

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.