A family hike took a wild turn this week when KTLA viewer Ulises Hernandez and his loved ones came face to face with a bear on a popular trail in Claremont.
Hernandez goes on frequent hikes in the area with his family and says the sighting happened about 5 p.m. on May 27 at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. He was with his 12-year-old son, 11-year-old stepdaughter, and girlfriend when the group encountered the bear.
“My son spotted it first,” Hernandez told KTLA in an email. “We were pretty close, so we just started backing up slowly.”
As other hikers approached, Hernandez warned them to keep their distance. He then pulled out his phone and captured calm but striking footage of the bear continuing down the hill, unfazed by the nearby humans.
This was Hernandez’s first bear encounter up close, but he said he felt more at ease with other people around. “I always carry a blow horn, just in case,” he said. “But I didn’t feel like I needed to use it.”
City of Claremont spokesperson Bevin Handel confirmed there’s been an increase in bear sightings at the Wilderness Park loop in recent weeks. “It’s a very active time of year,” she said, adding that signs are posted along the trail and the city regularly shares wildlife safety tips with the public.
Officials remind visitors to stay alert, keep a safe distance from animals, and never feed wildlife. The Wilderness Park remains open, but hikers are urged to be cautious and respectful of the natural environment.
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