For climbers thinking about heading up the Illecillewaet, Asulkan, or Connaught drainages, there has been a Group of Four restriction put in place. This affects popular peaks like Mt Sir Donald, Uto Peak, Youngs Peak, etc. Please read the following bulletin passed on by the Wildlife staff at Parks Canada:

A female grizzly bear with cubs has been observed repeatedly in the Balu, Illecillewaet, and Asulkan valleys this summer. On at least two occasions this family group of bears was surprised by hikers at close range resulting in defensive displays by the female to protect her young cubs. In addition to the family group, two juvenile grizzly bears have been utilizing both the Asulkan and Illecillewaet valleys as a key component of their home range.

The summer of 2016 has seen a tremendous berry crop with many of the key berries that bears depend on in the Selkirk Mountains thriving. When bears are focused on feeding they can easily become surprised by hikers at close range. These close range encounters increase the chance of human-wildlife conflict. To protect the family group and the juvenile bears and to reduce the likelihood of human-wildlife conflict a group of four restriction has been put into place for much of the family group’s home range. Group of four restrictions allow for bears and hikers to co-exist in these key habitat areas while reducing the chance of encounters that could lead to trail closures. These bears require an additional level of care from the staff at Glacier National Park, as well as understanding and compliance from the visiting public.

In response to this situation the Superintendent of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks has enacted a mandatory restriction on the majority of trails in the Illecillewaet and Asulkan valleys. This restriction means that by law, visitors may access the trails only if they are in a group of four or more adults (adult defined as ~12 years old and over), and remain within 3 metres of each other. Non-compliance is subject to a fine. This restriction is to protect both people and bears, as research has found that a grizzly bear is drastically less likely to approach people in tight groups of four adults or more.

We appreciate your help in respecting this restriction and in protecting both visitor and bear safety.

Trails where Group of 4 applies in Glacier National Park
· Sir Donald
· Avalanche Crest
· Asulkan Valley
· Great Glacier
· Glacier Crest
· Perley Rock
· Balu Pass

Trails where Group of 4 DOES NOT apply in Glacier National Park
· Abbott Ridge
· Marion Lake
· 1885 Trail and Glacier House Site
· Meeting of the Waters
· Bostock Creek
· Hermit

Glacier National Park Visitor Safety
Parks Canada