The Grizzly and Black bears in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta rely on the berries this time of year, as it is their main source of food. The Pacific Salmon are unable to pass over the continental divide, which runs North-South and marks the Alberta, British Columbia border, so the bears here have to settle with mostly vegetation for food.

A Grizzly bear requires about 20,000 calories a day during the summer months in order to build up their body fat (humans require about 2,000 calories). This means a bear will have to eat about 200,000 berries a day in order to be healthy!

The berries have already ripened in low to mid-elevation areas, such as campgrounds and hiking trails, which are also busy with tourists. Berries in upper elevations have yet to ripen causing the bears to descend to these lower elevations to feed.

Officials announced Tuesday the Aylmer Pass Trail will be closed from the Lake Minnewanka Trail to the park boundary beginning July 24th due to bear fears. This is three weeks earlier than the scheduled closing date!

By hiking with a certified guide, you can avoid unnecessary situations which may involve bear encounters such as staying clear of berry patches, making plenty of noise and carrying bear spray. A certified guide knows the areas to hike and those to avoid.

Contact rocky-peak Holidays for more information on hiring a certified hiking guide on your vacation, to allow you to make the most of your hiking time here in the spectacular Canadian Rockies.