Hikers Accused of 'Stalking' Grizzly After Mistaking Bear for Lumpy Backrest on Picnic Bench
THREE hikers in the North Cascades were reportedly “shocked and bewildered” yesterday when their search for the perfect wilderness picnic spot culminated in what they believed was a serene forest clearing—only to discover a 600-pound grizzly bear was using the same bench as a reclining lounge chair.
According to witness testimony from trail guide and amateur wildlife photographer Marcus Kline, “I was just settling in with my thermos of decaf when the bear casually shifted on what I thought was an old log, and suddenly it was the backrest. We all just froze for three heartbeats, then I yelled, ‘That’s not a log!’ which was a bit late, actually.”