Experience the lives of grizzlies and black bears by visiting their homelands and learning about their food. Meet at the Avalanche Lake Ampitheater. The course will include an easy three mile round trip hike in search of bear tracks, scat, scratch marks on trees and other clues they leave behind.

Instructor Chuck Jonkel has studied grizzly bears in and around Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park for decades. He will share stories from over forty years of watching and studying bears. The Avalanche Lake area is an old growth cedar forest with ancient bear trails carved into the duff.

Chuck often leads his students to Camas Meadow, a tranquil area rich with wildlife.

Meeting Place: Avalanche Lake Ampitheater. Enter Glacier Park through the west entrance and take a right onto the Going to the Sun Road (about one mile past the entrance). Drive past the sign for Lake McDonald Lodge and continue approximately 5.5 miles to the Avalanche Lake Trailhead. Cross the street to the right fork of the Trail of the Cedars and follow this paved trail for less than 200 yards to the outdoor amphitheater (several rows of benches) on the right, before you reach the restrooms.

The Glacier Institute

Moderate

Ages 6 and up are welcome with an adult

July 09, 2010

$65