A mother grizzly with cubs bluff-charged a solo runner near Numa Pass, and the park’s own warning backs it up.
Story Snapshot
- Parks Canada warned of a defensive female grizzly with cubs in the exact area.
- The encounter happened near Numa Pass on the Rockwall Trail around 9:30 a.m.
- Parks Canada confirmed a solo hiker was bluff charged by the adult female.
- The runner admits he grabbed his phone instead of his bear spray.
A morning run turned into a grizzly standoff
Parks Canada issued a bear warning for Floe Lake, Numa Pass, and nearby areas, saying a female grizzly with a cub was frequenting the zone and showing aggressive defensive behavior.
Local reporting places Keith Kerr on the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park at about 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, roughly 500 meters south of Numa Pass, when he met the bear family in open meadows.
Parks Canada confirmed a solo hiker was bluff-charged by the adult female, matching the timing, place, and behavior.
It was reported that Kerr said he came face-to-face with a mother grizzly and her cubs during his run, and that he was bluff-charged more than once. Other outlets reported that the bear had two cubs and that the encounter lasted under a minute, about 75 seconds.
Kerr said he made a mistake in the moment. He admitted he pulled out his phone instead of his bear spray and called it “100% my responsibility” to act with more care.
Why the bear charged without striking
Wildlife managers describe this pattern as classic defensive behavior. A mother grizzly with cubs often charges to warn, not to hit. The park’s wording used the term “aggressive defensive behavior,” which aligns with that standard frame. A bluff charge means the bear runs at you but stops short or veers off.
The focus is to scare you away from the cubs, food, or a tight space. Data from grizzly conflict reviews show most charges end without injuries.
‘Thought this was going to be it for me’: Alberta hiker recounts grizzly showdown https://t.co/F192XAxTC0
— CTV News Calgary (@CTVCalgary) August 29, 2026
Guidance from Parks Canada says the right move in a close encounter is simple. Make yourself known with a calm voice. Do not run. Back away slowly if the bear has space to leave.
If it charges, hold your ground because most charges will stop short. The core risk rises when people surprise a bear at close range, which often happens on narrow trails, in brush, or near cover where sightlines are poor.
The map lines up with the warnings
The park’s trail reports and bulletins show a precise match with the reported site. The Floe Lake Trail, Floe Lake Campground, and Numa Pass carried bear warnings dated August 26, 2026, noting a female grizzly and cubs.
Rockwall Pass remained open with good conditions around the same time, which fits a scenario in which a runner moves from an open trail into an active bear corridor near the pass.
One broadcast summary is titled “Yoho National Park,” but the stronger location thread points to Kootenay National Park near Numa Pass on the Rockwall route.
The central facts remain consistent across sources: a solo runner, a mother grizzly with cubs, a close-range encounter, and a series of bluff charges that end without contact.
Practical takeaways for people who hike alone
The lesson is not to panic at bears; it is to plan for them. Keep bear spray on your chest strap or a belt holster where one hand can reach it fast. Practice pulling the safety tab before you venture out. Make noise in blind terrain—voice, claps, and group talks all work.
Slow down in brush, near streams, and in berry patches. Stop wearing earbuds in bear country. That one comfort strips away the only early-warning system you control.
Most important, do not trade awareness for a video. Your phone will not stop a charge. Spray will. Kerr’s own words underline this duty of care: he should have gone for the spray, not the screen. That blunt self-critique aligns with the view that personal responsibility matters outdoors.
Respect the animal’s space, carry the right tools, and keep your head if a bear tests you. When you do those things, a scare stays a scare, and everyone walks away.
Sources:
foxnews.com, parks.canada.ca, rmoutlook.com, ctvnews.ca, globalsummitguide.com, unofficialnetworks.com, greatdividetrail.com
