Authorities closed a popular Washington hiking trail after a mother bear and cub were linked to a rare attack involving high school students.
NORTH BEND, Wash. — A black bear believed to be protecting a cub injured two teenage hikers Tuesday on Mount Si in Washington state, prompting officials to close the trail and launch a search for the animal after reports that it later followed another group of hikers.
The incident drew attention because bear attacks in Washington are uncommon. Wildlife officers, sheriff’s deputies and rescue crews responded after three teenagers encountered the bear about halfway up one of the region’s most heavily used hiking routes. Officials said one student suffered scratches from the bear, while another was hurt while trying to escape. The encounter remains under investigation as wildlife officers work to locate the animal and determine what steps should follow.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the encounter occurred around 1 p.m. Tuesday on the Mount Si trail in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area, east of Seattle. The three hikers were about 2.7 miles up the trail when they came across a black bear. Rescue officials later reported that the animal appeared to be a mother bear accompanied by a cub. During the encounter, the bear charged the group and swiped at one of the teenagers. Authorities said the injured boy had become separated from the others before the attack. His companions later reported hearing screams from the area. Despite the frightening encounter, the teen was able to return to his friends and contact rescuers. Emergency personnel reached the group and used an all-terrain vehicle to help transport the injured student down the mountain for medical evaluation.
Officials described the injuries as minor but said the emotional impact was significant. King County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter Linde said the teenager was frightened after the encounter and was taken to a hospital so his wounds could be cleaned and evaluated. Another teen suffered an ankle injury after falling while running from the bear. Rescue crews treated that injury as well. The hikers were identified by local media as basketball players from Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn who were making one of their first trips up the mountain. Authorities credited the group with staying in communication and seeking help quickly. Wildlife officials have not publicly identified the injured students because they are minors. Investigators also have not confirmed whether the same bear was involved in later reports from other hikers on the trail.
The attack stands out because documented bear-related injuries in Washington remain rare despite the state’s sizable black bear population. Wildlife officials said there has been only one fatal black bear attack recorded in Washington since 1974. Since 1970, approximately 20 encounters between humans and black bears have resulted in documented injuries. Most black bears avoid people, and encounters that turn aggressive are uncommon. Wildlife experts note that female bears with cubs can become defensive when they perceive a threat. Mount Si, a popular destination that attracts thousands of hikers each year, includes steep terrain and heavily traveled trails that pass through forested habitat used by wildlife. The combination of high visitor numbers and natural habitat occasionally produces close encounters, although incidents involving injuries remain unusual.
Following the attack, officials received another report from a separate group of hikers who said a black bear followed them for several miles along the trail. That report prompted authorities to clear the area and temporarily close access while wildlife officers searched for the animal. Fish and Wildlife officials said they are attempting to determine whether the bear involved in the attack can be located and positively identified. The agency has not announced whether any decision has been made regarding relocation or euthanasia if the bear is found. Investigators are reviewing witness accounts and examining evidence gathered from the scene. The trail closure was intended to reduce the risk of additional encounters while the search continues. Officials said reopening decisions will depend on what wildlife officers learn in the coming days.
On Wednesday, hikers arriving near the trailhead encountered warning signs, closed access points and news of the unusual incident spreading across the region. For many outdoor enthusiasts, the attack served as a reminder that popular recreation areas remain active wildlife habitat. Rescue personnel described the students as fortunate that the injuries were not more serious. Wildlife officials emphasized that encounters involving bears and people rarely end with significant harm. Residents in the surrounding communities followed updates as authorities searched for the animal connected to the reports. The event generated widespread attention because it involved teenagers on a well-known trail and occurred during a busy hiking season. Even so, officials stressed that such incidents remain exceptionally uncommon compared with the number of people who safely use Washington’s outdoor recreation areas each year.
As of Wednesday evening, the injured students were expected to recover, and wildlife officers continued efforts to locate the bear. Authorities have not announced when the Mount Si trail will reopen. The next update is expected after investigators complete additional field assessments and determine whether the animal can be found.