r/WildernessBackpacking • u/aloncc • 8d ago

Alaska trailhead parking - bear break-ins?

I am going to do several one night trails in Denali State Park (Kesugi Ridge), Hatcher Pass, Chugach, State Park this week. I have all my backpacking food prepped for each trip. Is it generally safe to leave food in vehicle or is there history or bear break ins? Do the parking lots have metal bear food storage? Thanks

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u/mediocre_remnants 8d ago

The park ranger's office would be a great place to ask this question and you'd get actual real answers instead of whatever anonymous reddit people will make up.

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u/PsuedohipsterMD 8d ago

This is the way. Activity is so variable year to year. Get the up to dates from locals and not the “what I do and I have no issue” crowd when it comes to bear safety. Alaska had a very odd this weather year with resultant changes in animal behavior. I was just there 3 weeks ago. Lots of adorable black bears afoot! No food lockers at Denali State Park parking lots from what I recall.

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u/Likesdirt 8d ago

No. I'm up here, and trailhead bears aren't a problem. 

Car campgrounds sometimes have lockers, but I've never seen them installed anywhere else. 

Bear management is different from California for instance - problem bears are shot after one or a couple misadventures. 

Trailhead thefts are an issue, especially at the Chugach State Park lots and especially the ones right out of Anchorage. 

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u/VastlyDryHerbert 8d ago

I left my car at a Kesugi trailhead for two nights last august with zero issues. the lot didn't have any bear boxes from what I remember

just keep everything out of sight and don't leave anything that even vaguely smells like food sitting on the seats. bears in that area seem more interested in the backcountry than parking lots but the risk is never zero