mike - my son,at age 9, ran right into a bear on a blind curve on the Alum Cave trail...we were close behind him on the trail but l think the bear was scared worse than him. Every wild animal should be given space and made aware of your presence f you see him before he sees you. Loud noise will send Park bears scurrying in most cases. camping in the backcountry is where the bear encounters can become dicey--and then only if you have food in your tent or left in bear-reach around the camp. a good rope and a high limb for the food stuff bag is the easy way to avoid post midnight issues. Frankly l am far more mindful of snakes and boars when l am in the backcountry.
