On Monday at approximatly 9:00AM,a dcr, (deep creek regular) by the handle of Tan Dan came face to face with a bear. Tan Dan is known to drink beer while camping near the springs.My first question was "is this a bear of a hangover?" TD said he had not been drinking. TD also said he thought a large german shepard was approaching him. When the animal was about 3 feet from him he stood upon his rear feet,sniffed around and turned around and ran away. The bear was as tall as Tan Dan and weighed about 160 pounds. Later after talking to a nude couple at the springs who also said they had seen a large black animal running south on PCT (the Pacific Crest trail) at about the same time as TD. TD stated he was camping about 100 yards down stream. This is a canyon I have known to be called family canyon. This report caused me to be concerned about several things. First is safety of small children and animals whom are camping with adults. Also there is the matter of people leaving food and trash at the springs. These people are inviting BEARS into the area for a picnic.
The Willow Fire destroyed habitat for many animals which would cause them to change their territories seeking food and water.
Please be extremely careful about leaving trash especially food that will attract bears creating a danger to the hotspringers. Trash pick up is critical for all of our safety at this point.