Wilderness areas without bears ?
Hello, I'm a newbie to this site and to backpacking.
I would like to go on my first solo backpacking trip soon, and spend about a week or longer out there. I would like to go some place with no bears, so that I just don't have to worry about them at all (peace of mind, you know ?).
I'm not looking to set up camp in an established backcountry camp, but want total solitude. In other words, I would like to camp out in the middle of nowhere, undisturbed. This is going to be sort of a spiritual journey for me, so it is very important that I am undisturbed (by people).
I realize that deserts have no bears (duh), but of course, I'd prefer an area with vegetation (i.e. a regular forest).
I live in Santa Barbara, California, and the only bear-free wilderness areas I see nearby are Montana De Oro State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore, but that is probably because they are too small to support a bear population.
I'd appreciate any suggestions. What is a reliable source of information on bear populations ? I've tried looking online but couldn't find what I was looking for.
Thanks !
Snakes, Moose and open view toilets
Excellent points Sarge47. Concern about snakes that are not easy to see I understand better, but if you are walking quietly with no bells or noisy pots in backpack you can sneak up on feeding bear without knowing it as well. So some people like going far north were there are no venomous snakes just moose which in far less populated areas I am guessing may kill or injure more outdoors people. Therefore a greater concern perhaps, even though few people accidentally sneak up on such a noisy animal crashing thru brush and splashing around in a swamp.
When camping with a group in areas that the BLM requires that we use a EcoSafe or other solid walled reuseable toilet or we just use one anyway to carry out our solid human waste (water craft not backpacking) so as not to leave the mess of cat holes behind I strongly prefer not to set up a little tent around it. But sometimes there is a woman or shy man with us who wants the privacy. This is silly just leave a flag indicating you went down that path. A no floor popup tent only blocks your view of approaching wildlife like brown bears, puma and provides a place for snakes to curl up and hide. Also it is a shame to block your view of the valley while you sit there and rest, dropping solid human waste... Best to seal up tight, feral hogs and bear like that smell, I'm not sure why? ha ha ha
No bears to worry about at Los Padres Nat'l Forest, CA
I was curious so called Los Padres National Forest Friday, then after weekend a very nice, polite person returned my call. She said there have not been any "problem" black bears at any of the campsites at the National Forest in the last year. At other parks they are occasionally attracted to human food/trash and ice coolers. Decades ago at one California campsite a particular bear earned the name "hemorrhoids" because he was such a problem with unattended coolers. But it appears that the campers and backpackers have been very responsible with bear resistant bags and canisters. You may see some small mammals, i.e. raccoons and skunks but not black bears near people. Black bear sightings appear to be very rare at Los Padres.
Right now there is not a burn ban but this can change suddenly like in August or Sept so check before you go and look for road side signs etc. Technically even a smoldering incense stick/rod can be considered an open flame and would be banned in that case. A small camp stove if allowed, and they almost always are, even during a burn ban is OK (use it wisely). Most people who burn incense know how to do it (essential oils etc.) with a stove. I am guessing that sage might make a bear think there is a wild fire in the area and send it running away. But you never know if it once got into some sage flavored turkey stuffing for example it may remember and come running. ;-) Same thing for rosemary. Roman's said rosemary was for remembering, bears have great smell memories. Watch out for Roman Black Bears, ha ha ha. Terrible sense of humor, not a source of income for me.
