What's that saying about a bear shitting in the woods?

We're in the mountains for Labor Day weekend, and today we decided to try a new series of trails that were recommended to us by a local guy.

To access the trail, we had to walk down a gravel access road to a substation. It wasn't very pretty and it was steeply downhill. When we got to the trail, it was open and beautiful. We hiked for awhile and heard water. Before long, we saw a stream and soon afterwards, we crossed over it. Our destination was a scenic overlook that was stunning. Other than Taz thinking he was invincible and dancing too close to the edge, it was a very nice break.

On the way back, we were walking single file up a hill, with Taz and Duchess leading the way, Scouter following close behind, Rainbow and I about ten feet behind bringing up the rear. All of a sudden, Scouter started backing down the trail pulling Taz with him and almost ran over Rainbow. I heard a rustle and we all started backing slowly down the trail. Scouter was clearly concerned.

We stood in silence for a few seconds, then Scouter told us he had heard a deep growl and he was pretty sure it was a bear. None of us saw anything.

Of course, the embellishment began at that point and suddenly Taz had not only heard a growl but he had seen a huge 500 pound black bear right beside him.

We considered our options. Forward was toward where the growl had been, but backwards looped around in the direction we thought the bear had gone.

We loitered a little longer then ventured forth slowly and making a lot of noise. As we edged past where we had been previously when Scouter heard the growl, we saw a big pile of apparently fresh bear scat. That's shit for you non-mountain people like me. (I had no idea.)

We continued to hike noisily through the woods and soon returned to the trail head. The kids kept saying they heard growling the rest of the way. Scouter was apprehensive while I was trying to make jokes so the kids wouldn't be terrified of the woods. Needless to say, that wide access rode by the substation looked pretty good to all of us, even with the steep ascent.

So what does happen when a bear shits in the woods?

Apparently he doesn't like to be interrupted!

Can't blame the guy, really.
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