Hikers and bikers who frequent the trails in the Cedar Flats area north of Columbia Falls are taking more precautions since a woman was mauled by a grizzly bear while walking her dog Aug. 31.

Susie Bouton and a friend were walking together on the Cedar Flats road last week, having just done a loop in the woods nearby.

“I never used to carry bear spray (on these trails),” her friend, who asked not to be identified, said.

She noted the trails are typically busy with people and close to homes and the thought of a bear encounter never really came to mind like it would in Glacier National Park.

But on this day, the women were both carrying bear spray and making sure they made plenty of noise while on the trails.

Even folks from out of state had gotten the message about bears in the area.

Gary and Jodie Nelson were visiting the Flathead from Kansas and learned about the trail system online.

They also read they should carry bear spray, so they had a can on themselves. Their dog was also on a leash.

Most of the Cedar Flats trails have bear warnings posted on them, with tips on how to be safe in bear country.

On Saturday, a crew of volunteers from the Gateway to Glacier Trails organization was working on a new trail up Kelly Ridge, a beautiful new trail that winds up through the woods.

Everyone was carrying bear spray and working in groups. 

Avid mountain bikers Nick Mercer and Emily Carino said they’re both taking greater precautions since the incident. 

They don’t recreate alone and they make more noise when biking.

“I feel nervous about being out here alone right now,” Carino said.

Further up the trail Paul Austin was working on the trail. Both are former Glacier National Park rangers, Austin the chief ranger, Blickhan the wilderness ranger, both now retired.

They know the precautions all too well.

Austin said he carries his bear spray in a holster called a Scat Belt. It holds the bear spray in a belt on your waist horizontally, rather than vertically, for very quick access.

“If you put your pack down, it’s still on your body,” Austin noted.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks guidelines for mountain bikers are similar to those for hikers: Make plenty of noise. Don’t go alone. Carry bear spray and slow down, particularly on blind corners and in areas with thick vegetation and berry bushes.

Bears can be anywhere in Northwest Montana’s woods and don’t always leave a lot of sign. 

As the Hungry Horse News left the trailhead after reporting this story, a black bear popped out of the woods and crossed the road in front of us.