Overview

• The 29-year-old was hiking alone on the Turbid Lake Trail northeast of Mary Bay when the bear made contact.
• The hiker tried to deploy bear spray and suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm.
• National Park Service medics escorted him to the trailhead, took him by park ambulance to the Lake Medical Clinic, and he was then flown to a hospital.
• Park staff suspect a grizzly based on the location, size, and behavior, though the hiker thought it was a black bear, and DNA analysis may be attempted to confirm the species.
• The trail is closed until further notice as bear management staff sweep the area, marking Yellowstone’s first bear-inflicted injury since May 2021 and prompting reminders to hike in groups of three or more.