Bearly Visible
In California, there are bears everywhere! They’re on hats, shirts, snow globes, and as a symbol of our rich, wild spaces, they’re emblazoned on our state flag. Finding one in the wild, however, isn’t so easy.
If you go down to the woods today, you might find subtle traces of their presence, but the truth is, they’ll avoid human interaction if possible. And who can blame them? The California grizzly, pictured on our flag, was hunted into extinction in the early 1900s.
We’re fortunate, though, to share our wilderness with black bears, and if you’d like to encounter one in their natural habitat, Lake Tahoe is a great place to search. This summer, we spent a long weekend in Tahoe, and—spoiler alert—there were no bear sightings. We spent plenty of time enjoying the great outdoors but adhering to the whims of our own baby bear, Gavin’s schedule wasn’t conducive to sunset hikes. Still, it brought back memories of another trip.
A couple of years ago, I visited Tahoe during a drought. It was hot, and the air was thick with wildfire smoke. An ominous haze hung in the atmosphere, and if I wanted to find wildlife, I figured I’d have to follow the life-giving water. With that in mind, I took a walk by Taylor Creek. Along the trail, I found bumblebees, bullfrogs, the rhythmic tapping of woodpeckers, and even an industrious beaver. Just as I thought about heading back, a faint rustling in the bushes captured my attention. I told myself it could be anything, but I knew it was bigger than a chipmunk. Suddenly, a bear cub scampered into the clearing.
I instantly knew the mother must be nearby, but a second cub was next to appear. The young bears playfully climbed a tree, and eventually, the majestic sow ambled into view. All wild animals should be respected, and with formidable teeth, powerful muscles, and colossal claws, that’s especially true of bears. Black bears might attack if they’re cornered or surprised, but typically, they’ll maintain their distance if we, in turn, respect their space. The matriarch was a large bear, but I chose my body language carefully and paid close attention to hers. I backed up, and thankfully, all three bears relaxed. A sense of calm enveloped our encounter.
Over the next hour, the cubs reveled in their playful acrobatics while their mother kept a watchful eye and gently coaxed them along. She led them to the meandering creek, where they enjoyed a refreshing drink and foraged for berries. During one poignant moment, she tore bark from a fallen tree, possibly looking for ants, a lesson keenly observed and mirrored by one of the cubs. Watching them learn the secrets of survival was incredible.
Eventually, as daylight waned, they returned to the undergrowth, and it was time for us to part ways. As they left, I whispered a thank you for the thrilling experience. I hope I cross paths with some tolerant bears again, but the thing is, bears are masters of concealment, and Tahoe is a big place. One could be silently standing right behind you at any moment, and you might never know it.
