Backpacking in Grizzly Country ...and Tales of Close Encounters
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- 3 Days of Backpacking, Hiking and Camping in Idaho's Teton Valley.
For this late spring adventure, I decided to do my first backpacking trip in Grizzly Bear Country. My chosen area was a corner of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest with the goal of solo camping on the banks of Upper Palisades lake, a remote alpine lake in southern Idaho situated at an elevation of 6,700 feet.
Located just 25 miles southwest of Wyoming's famed Grand Teton National Park, this corner of Idaho offers some extra solitude, less red-tape, spectacular mountain views and plenty of wildlife, including a variety of waterfowl, moose, and yes - Grizzly Bears. With this in mind, I picked up a fresh can of bear spray, packed my ultralight backpack, and hit the trail for 3 days of adventure.
For sleep and shelter I packed in my trusty trekking pole tent, a three-season inflatable sleeping pad, and a 30 degree sleeping bag for the expected lows going down to just above freezing or so. While there was still plenty of snow pack at the elevations just above the lake, I decided to take my chances with some lightweight trail runners instead of boots.
Along the way I'll tell you some tales of various grizzly bear encounters I've had in Tetons, the recent Teton bear attack that another gentleman was thankfully able to survive relatively unscathed, and some fun facts about moose and beavers too. So grab your pack, let's go!
Blog Post for this Trip
www.sintax77.com/backpacking-in-grizzly-country-and-tales-of-close-encounters
Trailhead Used:
Palisades Creek Trailhead
Irwin, Idaho 83428
43°23'53.5"N 111°12'44.8"W
Season / Time of Year:
Late Spring - Last week of May
Trails Used Day 1:
Lower Palisades Creek Trail
Upper Lake Trail
Setup Camp along Upper Palisades Lake
Day 1 Total Mileage: 8 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,682'
Day 1 Gross Descent 594'
Trails Used Day 2:
Upper Lake Trail
Vacation Canyon Trail (out and back)
Upper Lake Bench Trail (horse trail)
Return to Camp along Upper Palisades Lake
Day 2 Total Mileage: 5 miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 949'
Day 2 Gross Descent 949'
Trails Used Day 3:
Upper Lake Trail
Lower Palisades Lake Trail
Return to the Upper Palisades Trailhead
Day 3 Total Mileage: 7 miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 534'
Day 3 Gross Descent 1,617'
Trip Grand Total Mileage: 20 Miles
Trip Grand Total Gross Elevation Gain: 3,165'
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear Used on this Trip:
Outdoor Vitals Fortius 1p Trekking Pole Tent alnk.to/610cgil
OV Shadowlight Ultralight Backpack alnk.to/cb2IAZJ
OV Satu Adventure Pants alnk.to/610cgjm
OV Nebo Windbreaker Jacket alnk.to/8tONZK4
OV Nova Pro Jacket alnk.to/eZGQi7Y
RevolutionRace Campfire Shirt amzn.to/3y0wSTc
Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad amzn.to/4dqbK8R
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Titanium Long Handled Spork amzn.to/3ANWmAK
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals amzn.to/3Qkp02i
Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/3hyKrMi
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter amzn.to/2WcjfYZ
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Grizzly Country
13:37 Thoughts on Raingear for Backpacking
25:24 Story - Grizzly Bear Cubs in Teton National Park
34:06 Beaver Dam Activity
40:44 Campsite Search at Upper Palisades Lake
52:53 Story - Approached by a young grizzly bear
58:27 Hanging a bear bag & Finding Moose Rubs
01:15:41 Day 2 and Details of the Recent Tetons Bear Attack
01:24:34 Finding an Awesome Campsite to Filter Water at
01:32:03 Story - Rex Gets way to Close to a Grizzly Bear with Cub
01:43:30 A Decision to Move Camp?
01:53:22 Day 3 - Breaking Camp
01:56:54 The Aftermath of Rex's Grizzly Bear Standoff
Mega-video for my OG viewers ;)
Thanks Sintax!
@sintax77 Thanks Shawn! Mega 👊🏻👍🏻!
The antidote to UA-cam shorts
I like the longer video format...always have. I enjoy your videos very much!
Been watching your channel for a decade now. My fav vid is when it was raining you were on slick rocks and you came to a drop off and turned back. You are genuine sir. Which is rare on here. And now it's cheeseburger time.
I believe that may have been the Linville Gorge trip, right? That was a tough one for me in a lot of ways, haha.
Raise your hand if you’re an OG viewer like me 🙋🏻♂️
@@DanBecker Sintax is the first UA-cam backpacking channel that I ever watched since 2012. Dan we still need to do a hike together someday.
@@uptrail7169 same here... learning things I could about backpacking and hammocks.
@@uptrail7169 End of 2013 here, I remember back when you were one of the only ones in the comments for awhile
@@cookingspicy6443 Thanks! It's almost like we know each other because he's been on UA-cam for so long. Back then it was hard to list a dozen backpacking channels. You had Sintax77, Shug, my channel and a few others. I just never had the time to make my channel to be anything like theirs.
This trip is now one of my favorites. That lake is beautiful. Add on the bear tales and it makes for a perfect video. You were very kind about Rex. You can't fix stupid!
Kept us hanging for the entire 2 hours for the bear story finish....Brilliant.
"Hard bear spray" 😂
I live about 30 miles away from this trail. I love hiking in the area. The last time I did an extended hike here it was two years ago. I helped lead a group of college students on a 10 day backcountry navigational course. This is such a beautiful area. If you’re still around, I’d love to go out and grab a burger with y’all!
Nice! Seems like an great spot to live around. We actually making our way to the Pacific Norwest now. Although it feels more like the desert with the heat wave. yikes!
Always nice to see your lovely wife! Beautiful trip.
I enjoyed this hike and the tales of bear encounters.
Wow! I am so glad you are still doing it. Thank you so much for the extended episode. :)
My pleasure, and yup - I'm still at it :)
I really enjoyed this vid. Thanks for taking me to Idaho, which is a state which I have never visited. The scenery was beautiful. The desert is nice and different, but there's nothing like some greenery and water. It's soothing,. Yes, bears are nothing to take chances with. At my little cedar chalet in the foothills of the Smokies, we have to be very careful with trash etc. I've not personally had an encounter with a bear, but there was one sighed next door to me, foraging in the trash can. The Hispanic worker came to my house for a little job and he kept saying, excitingly, "It's a bar, it's a bar." Middle Tennessee girl that I am, thought he was saying "It's a fire," and I said "I didn't hear any siren." All they have where my cabin is is a volunteer fire department. The workman said "No, it's a bar," and he showed me a photo of the bear in the trash can, The renters had left that house, and not secured the trash. That's my closest encounter, other than watching them from the car at Cades Cove, but several have been sighted downtown in Gatlinburg, and one actually went into a taco shop. He was hungry! I always make noise, though, going out to my trashcan though, when I am at my beloved Roost, and I am glad I have a security light shining brightly at night. Take care Sean! Until next time!
This is one of several (or many) videos you’ve made so far that I will definitely watch more than twice. Thank you
Man, those bear stories are incredible!!
Shawn, if you are ever back in KY, I'd love to hike and camp with you, brother!!! You are definitely the biggest inspiration to my channel!!!
Fantastic video. Long form is amazing. This slows everything in the world down just a little. Looking forward to more, and putting Idaho on my list!
My 15-y-o son is just back from Wyoming's Wind River Range with NOLS. I'm a solo backpacker but I don't think I will ever solo in grizzly country. Don't have the nerve for it. Especially in that kind of close terrain. Kudos to you.
Ah, man - I just googled Wind River Range and now you've got dying to do that too! Adding it to the list :)
@@sintax77 You really should. Just saw the pictures from the trip. Incredible.
Right in my backyard! Love it!
“Hard Bear Spray”😂 Hope you never have to deploy either kind!
It's always best to have at least 2 people together when hiking and camping. I just saw a report of a hiker falling and his legs were in an awkward position in the rock. He died. If he had a friend with him they could have lifted him or gone for help. And with bears remember, you don't have to be the fastest runner, you just have to run faster then one of your friends. He he he.
Straight to the top of my list of videos to watch 💪🏻💪🏻
Spectacular scenery! Loved it.
Welcome to GB country, it certainly adds spice to solo camping in the backcountry! My wife and I watched the great American eclipse in the nearby high desert community of Dubois, Idaho in August 2017. A close friend lost his life in an encounter with a large male grizzly that was defending a moose carcass in October 1998 ("The Mountain Knows No Expert"), an even more dangerous situation than meeting a female with cubs.
Always great to see another video. Nice pun on bears trying to find their "bearings." Old joke about bears: "What's the difference between Grizzly scat and other bear scat? Grizzly scat has bells and smells like pepper."
Thanks for the trip, Shawn.
What an awesome video! Love your sense of humor. Thanks for sharing
Really dig these long format videos. Subscribed.
Beautiful views! And you prepared yourself, which is good.
Fabulous show thanks for another great one
Thanks for another great video! 👍 What a beautiful area in Idaho for a backpacking trip. I almost always use the PCT hang for my food bag. It's very easy especially how I do it. Your road trips keep getting better. I can't wait for the next one. 😀
Thanks, Bob. Yeah, I should probably learn how to properly do that by now 😅
Shawn, as much as you are out in the wild you should learn how to make the upside-down fire. This is no joke it works great and is the best way to make a fire.
Nice video. Enjoyed the bridges. Thanks.
It was so good to see you and Sarah again…and in our state of Idaho. You were quite a bit south of us, (we live in the panhandle) but it is just as gorgeous! Great adventure Shaun! Loved the true sagas…the last one was unfortunate, because fools not only put themselves in danger, but twelve others as well! Not to mention the bear and her cub.
For Rex: you are a foolish man who only cares about your selfies! One day you will go a bridge too far…
We were boondocking in the panhandle last week for a bit (near Clark Fork) and absolutely loved it! Beautiful area :)
@@sintax77 It is beautiful up here. We live in Sandpoint not far from there. It was nice to see a mountain adventure, and glad the grizzlies left you alone. We have them here, some, but mostly black bears and moose- who are often seen cruising our apartment complex! One even parked herself near the mailboxes one day! Awesome animal…Be blessed you two!
Very nicely done, place looks awesome!
Always enjoyable Sean! Thank you ❤
Absolutely fantastic video, thoroughly enjoyed it 👍
I'm pretty new to your channel. I watched you come face to face with a plane and then another time with a wing of another plane. I've watched probably 15 or more. I just love this area and have always wanted to visit. Thank you for the tour.
My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Great video! Thanks for the trip! No bears trying to share your cheese burger…
Yes don't really like rain gear cause of the sweat. I would rather be wet by the rain than sweat.
Thanks for sharing another adventure, I'm looking forward to it! Still amazing we almost met each other, thinking back I'm pretty sure I walked right by y'all on that snow drift. I remember seeing the dog then telling my buddy since he had his dog too. Guess I was to focused on cheeseburger time..lol Take care
Cheeseburger tunnel vision is real thing, no doubt! :)
Love it …. Great content! Gotta laugh at the” hard bear spray” comment . Be safe
Great views, great trip man.
I’m back to your channel. Thank you for your great videos. 🙌🏼
Welcome back!
Thoroughly enjoyed that, Sean!
Yay!! 2 hours of Sintax!! Can't wait to watch!
Ok, I watched! Beautiful scenery! If I saw a bear, I'd pass out, right there. I want to know what the hell is wrong with people. I've been seeing stories of people getting all close and personal with the Bison at Yellowstone. Is a picture worth dying for?? Unreal that people can be so stupid. I'm glad you and Sarah stayed safe and had no major issues. Thanks for sharing your hiking trips with us. Stay safe out there!
RE: Fatwood. That was a nice chunk. I'd have used a sharp knife, get a good pile of shavings from it, and start your fire off that, then save the rest of the major chunk for a later time.
But, nice video. Glad for this larger OG format vid.
Reminds me of our hike of the Buffalo River Trail in Arkansas and the Ozark Highlands Trail! So beautiful and variations of nature.
Wow, you just missed the road collapse and closure!
Yes, we did. Just barely. I'm pretty surprised they got it fixed up already too. Those landslide pics were intense looking.
Thanks Shawn! 👊🏻👍🏻 Hope you're doing well my friend 🤞🏻 Always great to hear from you! God Bless 🙏🏻 Appreciate you always ! 🫶🏻👊🏻
We're doing great, thanks! Hope you area as well.
Love this type of video!!!
Very enjoyable nature videos! Just a tip, I never wear a rain jacket while hiking, at least with a pack, for the reason you also experience: getting wet from the inside. I have found a much better solution to be a poncho, it covers the pack as well and provides much better ventilation.
Great video and informative, thanks
You should check out SOTA summits on the air. It’s a HAM radio thing I think you would enjoy it! Totally changes your mind on how you plan your hikes!
Thanks! My parents are licensed operators and have mentioned that before as well. Sounds pretty cool!
Definitely something to consider great content for UA-cam. I’ve been watching your videos since you started. And think you and your wife would get addicted to it just check it out.
Seriously a bear bell lmfao
Fantastic Video! Your approach to backpacking resonates with many. The bear stories are worth the price of admission. Sarah is very cool!
The tetons are an amazing place! Hope you enjoyed yourself
They certainly are, and we definitely did enjoy it :) The actual park was great for day hikes and just driving around as well. Probably one of my favorite parks so far.
Man just was awesome footage. Also learned a lot from the bear story! Some people can just be so careless. As always safe travels
Listening to the bear story and watching your hike..... how are you not as "youtube famous " as jk and Jeremiah stringer? And others? I found you from the backpacker podcast and trail tales podcast. I'll be checking many more of your videos.
It's a beautiful area. My wife is from Idaho, and we honeymooned in the Tetons.
Watching for years. Love the videos. Keep it up Shawn
That's awesome - Thanks, Darren!
My favorite video is the Hiking 5 days through the white mountains on the presidential range. I still watch it
How is that Chad Mendez meals? I’ve been wanting to try them, but haven’t yet.
It’s always fun to watch your videos. Keep them coming and thank you for sharing them. 😎
I loved the story telling part of the video. Thanks.
As a bicycle courier I learned to layer off and on - really important to not loose core temp in winter - & especially important I figure - when trailing up mountains.
Awesome video can't wait til my next view!!!
Awesome! Thank you!🎉
Oh man!!! From one east coaster to another, welcome to the Northwest!! Been anticipating this day for years! ive been obsessed with the place since I was a teenager. Me and some of my family actually stayed in Driggs last summer when they came up to do the national park. Magical place. I'm about to go scrambling in my backyard up one of the big peaks in Paradise Valley MT this weekend, and break in my brand new HG underquilt. Maybe I'll throw this on my phone for the trip ;)
PS knock on wood, but I still have yet to see a single grizzly in this whole area since I moved here a couple years ago. Brother and I saw two in the valley back in 2015..
Not like I don't go unprepared on each outing, especially since its easy to get spooked at night!
Love it! We actually stayed in Paradise Valley for a bit last September before winter ushered down south for the winter. Beautiful place!
There's a great brewery in Victor. Also don't forget the Huckleberry icecream in town. 😊💖🐶🐶🐶
I believe we went to that brewery! It was right down the street from our RV spot. Great town
An umbrella and shorts are the best things. Hikers have been doing it for a long time.
Sean is from the north, also umbrellas have there time and place but also weighty for the overnight hikes.
I’m going to do your Linville gorge loop in the next 2 months for my second attempt. My first I did 27.6 miles and called it at the table rock. I also did the same thing and had the same thoughts of filling up at the river crossing and I didn’t. Jeep trail was dried up and I almost didn’t make it lol. But finally made it to water tree. I had to do 20 miles the second day to catch up to your miles as well 😂. I love the Linville Gorge with all my soul. It’s not for many but I hope more try it!!
Some Hikers wear bear bells to scare away bears as they hike along.
By studying bear poop droppings one can tell what kind of bears are in the area.
Small seeds and twigs.....Black Bears
Small bones, fur......Brown Bears
Hiker Bear Bells...Grizzly Bears
great video.
Great video
Beautiful territory it that way
It's nice to be back out hiking on some lush green trails, that's for sure!
Russing off to raise the insurance policy 😂
Bears have a "leave no trace" policy of their own.
yep the great ending comment!!... its cheeseburger time! I appreciate your choice in meals in bear country....but damm fry up a true to life cheeseburger some time over the fire lol👍
What's up with you and fire 😁 My husband is sitting next to me screaming at the screen. "What are you doing!?"
Pack a tarp dude!
Wow what a treat be careful of those bears!
I think the reason you overheat so quickly with raingear is that you're essentially adding a layer of clothing, but not removing one at the same time. A rain jacket does add some warmth, so I would remove the long sleeved shirt to keep the number of clothing layers the same.
Cheers.
Hiya, just found your channel. I’m from the uk. It’s always strange to me when people from the states talk about bears etc. we have nothing like that over here. So you don’t have to worry about anything trying to kill you. But we have rain, a lot of rain 👍🤣
❤
CANT WAIT TO WATCH!!!!!!!!!
The lake reminds me of the area where Dick Proenneke lived in Alaska.
I always used to just use a poncho. What keeps your head shoulders back shoes all dry, and if you get too warm you just flap your arms
Great point. I used to have one as well, but almost forgot about it. Goes right over your pack without messing with a pack cover too.
Wow. What an absolutely beautiful trail. Wow...
Get to the Sawtooths in Idaho if you havent been, its absolutely amazing. And Wind Rivers in Wyoming.
Very upsetting about the bear being harassed by the Rex's of the world. Thanks for sharing.
I'll keep those spots in mind. Thank you!
Another great video, loved your recounting the encounter with the grizzly. It’s amazing what idiots are out in the woods and their complete lack of understanding nature.
I just try not to interfere with Darwin's work. After all, population control is also part of nature.
Hey brother, hope all is well. Just curious, would you and Mike ( Trail Killa) ever gonna hike together again? Was watching one of your old videos with you and him in in the White Mountains. Great videos. Well take care man and be safe out there! 😁👍
mikes long gone. that last trip he was on was the 1 trip a decade his wife allows him. mike isbasicly a simp./
Did i miss something and you guys moved out west?
just missed the road collapse at that pass. crazy
You should listen to Brad Thor's "The Lions of Lucerne". Its an awesome book.
im looking at getting a keltec sub 2000 40cal for atv trails for bears cause it folds up and has long barrel for some range
Great video as always. Nice to see you covering the western wilds, but do you ever miss the eastern woodlands?
Have you ever made cheeseburgers while hiking or has it always been a ritual for after you’re finished with the trail??
I actually did pack in all the fixings and cooked cheeseburgers on a winter backpacking trip video years ago. In Pennsylvania, I believe.
Hard bear spray is that a 335 twisted Dover hollow point or 50 cal??
We were just there. We love melvin brewery. We were there right when I-22 collapsed
Ugh, I hope you didn't get stuck on the opposite side, at least. I was thinking about how weird it would have been to be coming back from the park and find out there's no pass anymore. Not a great way to end an otherwise beautiful day of hiking.
Lol... Hard Bear Spray
MY MAN
Gotta love Cheeseburger time !!!