[Evans, Marv]

I've had several (many ?) encounters with bears in the Sierras while working there. I never felt I needed bear spray. Like Jeff said, about the only place they're persistent is around campgrounds where they've learned they can steal food from coolers, trash cans, cars, etc. I was sleeping once at night going up to Taboose Pass (from the east side), when I was awakened by twigs snapping from a bear walking on them hearby. I couldn't see it, so I sat up and made a "ruff" sound like a disaproving bear. I heard footsteps running away. I also found out trying to make a sound mimicing a rattlesnake would cause them leave.