Trail Updates

04/20/2026

The ATC received a report of a food-conditioned bear at Woods Hole Shelter (NOBO mile 27.7). The bear entered the camping area and did not immediately run away when it saw hikers.

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

• Educating yourself on bear safety and proper food storage before leaving for the Trail.
• Exercising caution in areas with frequent bear activity.
• Properly storing all food, trash, and scented items at night in a bear canister. Never sleep with your food or trash.
• Keeping a clean camp by picking up crumbs and cleaning up spills.
• Packing out all trash and food waste.
• Never leaving unsecured food unattended - even for a moment such as a quick trip to the privy or to check out a view.
• Using a bear canister. Hard-sided bear canisters are the most reliable method of food storage on the A.T. and are required from March 1 to June 1 in this section of the Trail.

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.