Thoughts of a Granola Girlie . . .
Welcome to a new era for Colorado Health Coach LLC! As we evolve beyond our engaging YouTube and podcast platforms, we're excited to introduce a fresh, more relaxed approach to health and wellness information. Our goal is to facilitate meaningful connections and foster sustainable habit changes through intuitive eating and personalized coaching sessions conducted remotely via phone or Zoom. Join us as we guide you on your journey to a healthier, more balanced lifestyle in a way that feels manageable and enjoyable. Enjoy NEW & FRESH content on the Granola Girlie Blog!
How to Enjoy the Outdoors Safely.
Hiking in the woods can be a peaceful and rejuvenating experience, but it comes with the potential danger of encountering wild animals, as evidenced by the recent bear attack in Apex Park, Colorado. On June 21, 2026, a female hiker was stalked and attacked by a black bear at Apex Park in Golden, Colorado. The woman's backpack was torn off, the bear scratched one of her legs, and followed her for 30 minutes; in spite of her attempts to deter the bear. This bear encounter was the first reported Colorado bear attack of the season. Owen Clarke of Outside Online wrote, "wildlife experts warn that it reflects unusual behavior in a year with high bear activity." Outside interviewed a Colorado Parks and Wildlife agent, they said, "it was about 30 minutes. Normally, bear conflicts don't last that long. It's a red flag."
The female hiker was alone, however, the fact that she was alone should not suggest females are more inclined to be in danger while on a hike compared to males. This interaction could have happened to anyone, male or female. What is important is to be prepared for any kind of wildlife encounter.
To stay safe, hikers should prepare by educating themselves about local wildlife and carrying items like bear spray, an air horn, or noise-making devices that can deter animals from approaching. Additionally, making noise while hiking can alert animals to your presence, giving them the chance to avoid you. The items listed previously can be found online or at any outdoor sporting goods store. Not only is it important for a hiker to carry these items but for them to know how to properly use these tools while out on a trail. When it comes to bear/mountain lion stray the handler should activate the trigger and aim low, directing the spray upwards slowly. This is because the spray is going to travel in an upwards motion either way so it is better not to waste a product meant to protect oneself while in the wild. The bear spray should be distributed in 2-3 second bursts, when the animal is 25-40 feet away.
Besides bear spray, many hikers attach bear bells to their backpacks. This is meant as a way to avoid a wild animal interaction to begin with, by making the surroundings aware of one's existence. Normally the wildlife try to interact with humans as little as possible so it is our job to make them aware of our presence in their home. In addition to bear bells and bear spray, there are also bear horns. Bear horns are small, portable air horns meant to detract wildlife. Horns and bells are NOT meant for self-defense in a bear attack, they are for deterrence purposes ONLY.
In spite of doing everything right to avoid and deter a bear, the female hiker was still followed and attacked; this fact has puzzled many wildlife experts. There is even video footage of the frightening interaction on Denver News 7. She shouted at the bear, threw sticks and rocks but still the bear pursued her. In fact, she wasn't even carrying food on her person. In the video, the bear is seen circling the hiker and even charging at her. It wasn't until two other hikers came to her aid, that the bear eventually crossed a nearby gully and began pursuing another group of hikers.
Kara Van Hoose, a public information officer with responding agency Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), told Outside Online, "we think it's possible this bear had gotten into trash or been rewarded before with unnatural food. Maybe it was fed by humans before. We can't say for sure, but when we see this type of behavior, that's where our mind goes. It's used to human presence, and now it's food drive has overtaken anything else that wound have caused it to run away."
This may likely be the case, humans should not be feeding the wildlife under any circumstances. It causes the animals to become desensitized to humans which may be why the bear not only circled the women but also charged at her. Appearing to not be afraid during the interaction at all. Please remember to NEVER feed the wildlife during your outdoor excursions for this is the likely outcome.
According to Outside Online, the bear was still being pursued at the time of this publication. Once found it will likely be either relocated or euthanized by authorities.
At Colorado Health Coach, we emphasize the importance of not only physical wellness but also safety during outdoor activities, ensuring that your journey towards health is as safe as it is transformative.
Source(s):
Outside Online
Article by Owen Clarke
Denver News 7
Reporting on Temporary Closure of Apex Park
Thoughts of a Granola Girlie . . .
