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Is there a issue with bears and other animals on mountain based trails? Or are they generally controlled by wildlife officials? Some trails for example are in Caesar head and chimney rock. I didn't know if it was exactly safe to hike
I've been hiking since I moved here and never really think about stuff like that, though I almost stepped on a copper head going to one waterfall, have seen snakes along trails and my friend and I saw a definite bear track on one of our hikes. I can't let stuff like that bother me otherwise I would never see waterfalls.
I would say there's a risk with anything and you just have to be aware of your surroundings. You are going in to the woods where wild animals live, you're coming in to their space.
There are plenty of bears out there but they don't bother people. Timber Rattlers are out there and very potent. Not aggressive at all but be careful off trail . There are a good many in the Gorges area, Dupont and at Green Wall. Whacko people are probably a bigger threat.
We've averaged 40 hikes a year (all over the upstate and WNC), for the last few years, and have yet to see anything larger than a squirrel on any trail.
Meetup has some groups. Depends on your ability and wants. Many of these groups are serious hikers and they hike in and out. If you want to stop and take pictures, or you mosey and take it slow, you should look for a group that suits you.
Personally, I won't go hiking with a large group. It's hard. Either just my BF and I, or a few friends. The only large group hike we did was with 16 friends and we had a guide (Miller's Land of Waterfalls in NC is great!)
I love waterfall hikes and that's what we basically go on. So many to fit in!!!
Is there a issue with bears and other animals on mountain based trails? Or are they generally controlled by wildlife officials? Some trails for example are in Caesar head and chimney rock. I didn't know if it was exactly safe to hike
1. We were fortunate enough to see a bear on a hike at Caesar's Head a few years ago. It was awesome.
2. The bears are protected by wildlife officials.
3. It's very safe to hike, unless you play on top of one of the waterfalls, or near the edge of a dropoff. Stay on the trails, and you'll be fine.
The black bears we have in the Southeast aren't generally aggressive. Saw a huge one crossing the trail a few hundred yards ahead of me in the Jocassee Gorges area a year or so ago. It stopped on the trail and sniffed but never actually sighted me before continuing on across the trail and back into the woods.
I've had many bear encounters over the years hiking in the Smokies and have only had one chase me any significant distance. They normally run away once they see you.
You should be able to identify the main snakes you will encounter in the woods. Most of them are non-venemous and are harmless. Copperheads can be difficult to see among the leaves on the ground. Rattlesnakes are somewhat rare in the area and will normally warn before a strike. You're unlikely to be bitten by either one and neither one of them are normally fatal.
I hike almost every weekend- the proximity to awesome trails and waterfalls is one of the things I love best about living here. I usually hike with a meetup group- check out the Greenville Natural History Association- and being with that large of a group I never think about bears. HOWEVER, I also like to visit Nature Conservancy Preserves with my son, when I crave peace and solitude with my exercise We are often the only ones there, and I am thinking about getting some bear spray just as a precaution. The GNHA is a great group, and their Sunday hikes tend to be shorter and a bit slower.
Good to know . I need to find a hiking group on here or maybe just a few people, anyone point me in the right direction?
My wife & I are avid hikers & have been for some time. Snakes are every where even if you don't see them they DO see you. Make noise talking while your hiking carry a bell on your hiking stick sing to yourself. You have a better chance running into a bear closer to the BRP then you do around here.
As someone said before the bears around don't really care about you in general however if their cubs are near by then keep moving. The biggest problem with bears are that they are not scared of humans any more because people means food, not eating people but they being food with them when hiking & camping.
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