P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
www.nps.gov/yose/news

209 372-0529 phone
209 372-0371 fax

April 7, 2003
For Immediate Release

Yosemite National Park Requires Bear-Resistant Containers in Half Dome/Moraine Dome Wilderness

The Superintendent of Yosemite National Park has designated that wilderness users in the Half Dome/Moraine Dome area are required to use National Park Service approved bear-resistant containers for food storage.

The Little Yosemite Valley Campground and the area from Moraine Dome to Half Dome including Sunrise Creek/Cloud’s Rest trail junction are areas that:

Any person camping is required to store food items, items carrying food scents, and toiletries in National Park Service approved bear-resistant food storage containers. Other food storage systems are prohibited in these designated areas.

Incidents of bears obtaining human food occur in this area at a higher rate that elsewhere in Yosemite wilderness. This area serves as a “training ground” for bears that subsequently become habituated bears in Yosemite Valley. Associated with the high level of bear activity is a significant amount of debris and litter that impacts the experience of thousands as they make their way to Half Dome.

Yosemite National Park has urged overnight wilderness visitors to utilize bear-resistant food storage containers in an attempt to prevent bears from learning to seek out camper’s food and to reduce human and bear interaction. Depending on voluntary compliance has proven insufficient.

For backpackers and climbers heading into the wilderness, National Park Service approved bear-resistant food containers are available for rent for a $5.00 rental fee from wilderness centers throughout Yosemite National Park. Metal food lockers are provided in the Little Yosemite Valley Campground.

Bear-resistant containers are the only effective means of food storage in the wilderness and are highly recommended where they are not required. Use of bear-resistant food containers is also required above 9,600 feet, in the Rancheria Falls area, and at High Sierra Camps (if a metal food locker is not used). Bears have quickly learned that containers are not worth investigating, even though they smell like food.

-NPS-