Solo Female Hiker Airlifted After Bear Mauling Near Anchorage
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 22: First responders executed a rescue operation after a solo hiker was attacked by a bear near the Dome Trail, located in the Basher neighborhood south of Chugach State Park.
Anchorage Fire Department officials report the woman, hiking alone just before 2:30 p.m. on the Dome Trail near the Basher neighborhood, believes the animal was a brown bear. The bear attacked her, dragging her off the trail, before fleeing the seen shortly after. Luckily, she was able to call 911 but could not get back to the trailhead without assistance.
The hiker, a 67-year-old woman, was rescued via helicopter and brought to hospital. Though she sustained "injuries to her head, neck and arm," they don't appear to be life-threatening.
Cynthia Wardlow, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Wildlife Conservation, said the agency to trying to identify the details of the offending bear.
“We were able to gather some samples, both hair and scat that will be analyzed through genetics,” she told Anchorage Daily News. “From that we will try to determine the species … we need some more information before we can say if it was a brown bear or black bear involved in the attack.”
Bear attacks in the Chugach Mountains are rare. When they do occur, it's typically involving brown bears.
When a bear attack is investigated by Fish and Game, the department decides whether or not to try to dispatch the bear on a "case by case" basis, depending on whether or not the animal is determined to pose a threat to public safety.
Bear Habitat and Risks Around Anchorage
Anchorage and surrounding Chugach State Park lie within prime brown bear and black bear habitat. The city supports approximately 60 grizzly (brown) bears and 250 black bears, with increasing human-bear interactions as trail use grows (Wikipedia). Chugach State Park and areas like Campbell Creek are valued corridors for bears drawn by salmon runs, especially from June through October (Anchorage Daily News).
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Though bear maulings are relatively rare, several high-profile incidents have occurred in and around Anchorage over the decades:
- In 1995, a fatal encounter occurred on McHugh Creek Trail after hikers surprised a brown bear sow with cubs (Anchorage Daily News).
- In 2008, two separate maulings occurred along Rover’s Run Trail, both involving brown bear sows reacting defensively to surprise encounters with runners and cyclists (Anchorage Daily News).
- In 2017, a black bear predatory attack on a teen near Bird Ridge resulted in death—the first known black bear fatality in the Anchorage area in over two decades (Wikipedia).
Recent incidents, including this Dome Trail mauling, underscore the need for awareness when in bear country.
Safety Tips for Hiking in Bear Country
Wildlife and park officials emphasize preparedness and situational awareness in bear country:
- Avoid hiking solo: Groups reduce the chance of surprise encounters.
- Make noise on the trail: Audible warnings help avoid startling bears.
- Leave earbuds behind: Stay alert to your surroundings.
- Carry bear spray: Be familiar with its use (US Forest Service, See The Northern Lights in Alaska).
- Know what to do during a bear encounter: Never run. Speak calmly, back away slowly, and appear larger. If attacked, curl and protect vital organs unless fighting back is necessary.
- File a trip plan: Inform someone of your intended trail and timing, especially when hiking solo—even urban trails.
