2 hikers injured in bear attack along popular Yellowstone attraction
by Carter Williams ksl · KSL.comYELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Two hikers were injured in a bear attack near Old Faithful Monday afternoon, Yellowstone National Park officials said.
The hikers, whose names and ages were not immediately released, were traveling along the Mystic Falls Trail when they were attacked by one or multiple bears, park rangers said in a statement on Tuesday. National Park Service emergency services personnel responded to treat the injured hikers, but rangers did not disclose the severity of the injuries.
Rangers also didn't say what bear species attacked the hikers. Yellowstone is home to both grizzly and black bears.
The incident remains under investigation, and no further details have been released.
Park officials closed off Biscuit Basin and the Southern Fairy Falls Trailhead to Grand Prismatic Overlook as a precaution, as well as any fishing along the Firehole River between the Fairy Falls Trailhead and Biscuit Basin. Those closures include several other trails and campsite.
The closures will remain in place until further notice. Midway Geyser remains open in the area.
It marks the park's first bear incident of the year, and the first since a 29-year-old man was injured in an attack within the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area in September.
Rangers recommend that visitors be alert for signs of bears and carry bear spray in case of an encounter. People should stay at least 100 yards away from bears at all times.
They also urge that people hike in groups of at least three and avoid hiking at dawn, dusk or night when bears are most active. If approached, people should make themselves look big and make noise to scare it away, and never run away.
Carefully disposing of trash can also help reduce bear encounters, Wild Aware Utah notes.
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Carter Williams
Carter Williams is a reporter for KSL. He covers Salt Lake City, statewide transportation issues, outdoors, the environment and weather. He is a graduate of Southern Utah University.