If you were planning to hike up Heart Mountain this fall, you’ll have to delay your plans.
The Nature Conservancy, which operates the Heart Mountain Ranch Preserve, sent out a release yesterday noting that the trail from the Preserve to the top of the mountain is temporarily closed due to bear activity in the vicinity. Other activities at the preserve will continue as planned, according to officials, as this is only a closure of the trail to the summit.
Bears are very active in the Northern Rockies at this time of year, loading up on calories before hibernation. The Conservancy says they want to take every precaution possible to prevent any conflicts between people and bears – for the safety and health of both.
Staff will be monitoring the trail for signs of bears and will make a determination of when there seems to be less activity – at that time, they will reopen the trail to public use. However, they always recommend that people be bear aware at any time they are hiking the preserve.
