YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY – A 29-year-old man was injured Tuesday afternoon after a bear encounter while hiking on the Turbid Lake Trail northeast of Mary Bay in Yellowstone Lake.
According to the National Park Service, the incident occurred about 2.5 miles from the Pelican Valley Trailhead in the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area. The hiker was alone when he encountered the bear near Turbid Lake. He began to use bear spray, but the animal made contact, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm.
Park medics responded and walked out with the hiker before transporting him by ambulance to the Lake Medical Clinic. He was then flown to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The hiker believed the bear was a black bear, but based on its location, size and behavior, officials said it may have been a grizzly. Bear management staff will attempt to confirm the species through DNA analysis.
The Turbid Lake Trail is closed until further notice as bear management staff clear the area. Officials said the bear acted defensively during a surprise encounter and no management action will be taken against the animal.
This is the first bear-related injury in Yellowstone this year. The last occurred in May 2021, when a grizzly injured a solo hiker on the Beaver Ponds Trail in Mammoth Hot Springs.
