Black bear attacks teen, charges at group of hikers on popular trail in Washington state

CASCADE MOUNTAINS, Washington - A teenage boy was injured after a black bear lunged at a group of people hiking on a trail in Washington state earlier this week.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said they were called to the Mount Si trail at the Natural Resources Conservation Area on Tuesday afternoon.

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Officials said three hikers were about 2.7 miles up the trail when a black bear charged at the group and swiped at one of the hikers.

A young boy received scratches and was taken to the nearby hospital for treatment.

A second group of hikers told authorities they were being followed closely by a black bear for several miles. 

The group said they also saw a second, smaller bear while they were exiting the trail, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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Officers weren't able to locate either of the bears, and no additional search efforts will be made.

The trail — in addition to the Little Si and Mount Teneriffe trails - was closed following the attack, but reopened a few days later. Officials said bear aware signage has been placed at the trailheads.

In Washtington state's history, only one recorded deadly black bear attack on a human occured in 1974. Since 1970, state authorities have recorded about 20 human-bear encounters that resulted in a documented injury.

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The most recent bear-related injury happened in 2024. Bears tend to avoid people, but they are naturally curious animals.

Wildlife officials advise people to identify themselves if a bear walks toward you by standing up, waving your hands above your head and talking in a low voice.

Then you should back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Officials say you should never run from a bear.

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If you're going for a hike, wildlife officials say you should make noise and put your pets on leashes.

Bear spray is also important to carry with you. It's important to have it readily accessible and know how to use it.

Black bears are common throughout Washington — including in suburban areas — except the interior of the arid Columbia Basin, according to state wildlife officials.

Mount Si — which is located less than an hour away from Seattle — is the most popular hike in the state, and approximately 100,000 people visit it every year, according to the Washington Trails Association.

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The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that there are about 22,000 black bears, including cubs, in the state.