Unmistakable grizzly bear tracks North Cascades

I am avoiding broadcasting the location just in case for the protection of the bear. Yesterday in the North Cascades I saw the first unmistakable grizzly bear tracks in Washington I've ever seen. They were on snow and must have been from a very large bear. The tracks were nearly the size of snowshoe tracks! The stride length on level mushy, snow-covered ground was about 36" on each side - that is left front to left rear, right front to right rear, etc. I was on the same path as the bear for nearly a mile and saw unmistakable claw prints on at least 15 tracks. Where not melted out the the tracks were about 8-1/2" wide, 10" long and sported 2-1/2" long claw impressions. Both front and rear paws were nearly the same size. The toes were along a line, not curved, as I understand black bear tracks are. Anybody else with a wildlife bent have any more particulars for identifying grizz's vs. black bear tracks? I would guess the tracks were only 1 day old although two days is also possible.

Incidentally, at a different elevation I also saw much, much smaller black bear tracks and scat.

Impressive find and a little scary I would imagine. Any pics of the prints?

Great news!!!  That is so cool to know that the great predators are returning to the North Cascades.  Here is a picture of a grizzly track next to me size 30 boot:

picasaweb.google.com/GreggCronn/BugsToRo...#5331381327899139602

This was taken in the valley below Battle Abbey on the Bugs to Rogers Traverse.  It was a few hours old.  It was quite funny to follow the tracks for awhile and see that the grizz. had an otter slide of 40 ft. or so end up in a tree well.  He or she must have been pissed because it made quite a thrash in the isothermic snow around the tree.  Just like us, probably didn't like its nice slide ending up ass over tea kettle. 

You are very lucky to have seen these tracks.  It is very sobering to see such huge prints when you are skiing out in the wilderness.  "There are other predators out there".  You can kind of understand the wrong headed desire to wipe them out a hundred years ago. 

Gregg

Here is another shot of Mark Price heading up valley with the tracks in the snow.

picasaweb.google.com/GreggCronn/BugsToRo...#5331384641228785010

Impressive find and a little scary I would imagine.  Any pics of the prints?

Unfortunately I just carried a video camera yesterday and so didn't snap off any pics. Not really scary but awed by the experience. I saw my first grizzly summer before last in the Rockies near Sunshine. My encounter had little to do with me or my "keen awareness". The grizzly mom and two cubs passed by 12-15 feet away while I was changing clothes! Now that time I thought I'd end up hamburger but mom just nonchalantly sauntered by. She knew pretty clearly who had the upper hand. I only briefly made eye contact then moved swiftly away.

Gregg C. Yes very lucky occurrence and I am delighted to see grizz's return to our environs.

Not sure if you reported it, but if not the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Outreach Program is actively soliciting reports of sighting field signs. www.bearinfo.org/sighting.htm

How exciting! Stumbling over a cougar (not literally, luckily) early one morning on Chuckanut Dr south of Bellingham is one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. There's a beauty about the top of the food chain I'd be hard pressed to quantify, but I can certainly feel it.

Not sure if you reported it, but if not the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Outreach Program is actively soliciting reports of sighting field signs. www.bearinfo.org/sighting.htm

Thanks, Randy. One of the things I was hoping for in posting this was where it should be reported. I indeed feel very lucky even without seeing the bear. Just knowing he is out there is a great feeling.