A weekend hike on the Mount Wilson Trail turned into a real-life jump-scare when a bear charged down the narrow path toward a hiker and closed to within a few feet, video shows. The bear stopped short, turned away without making contact and disappeared back off the trail, leaving the hikers rattled but apparently unhurt.
Video of the close call spread quickly across social media as local outlets picked it up. CBS Los Angeles reported that a pair of hikers on the Mount Wilson Trail came face to face with the bear over the weekend. The clip, also shared by NBC Los Angeles, shows the animal bounding partway down the trail toward one hiker before veering off.
In the video, the hiker is seen shaking a set of jingling bells and waving his arms as the bear advances, a tense few seconds that feel a lot longer in real time. Media outlets that ran the footage reported no injuries from the encounter. The post appears to have originated on Instagram and was shared by the photographer who filmed the moment, then was picked up by multiple news sites. OutKick and others noted the hiker’s bells and that the bear ultimately did not make contact.
Bluff charge vs. attack
The bear’s behavior in the clip resembles what wildlife experts describe as a bluff charge, a rapid approach meant to intimidate rather than an immediate predatory attack. The National Park Service advises that “if you can see a bluff charge is about to happen, slowly back away while waving your arms above your head, and speak to the bear in a calm voice,” and it stresses that responses should vary by species and situation. The National Park Service has detailed guidance for hikers on how to respond in different bear encounters.
How to stay safe and who to notify
Wildlife managers and forest agencies urge hikers in the San Gabriel Mountains to make steady noise on trails, secure all food and trash and carry deterrents such as bear spray where appropriate. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Keep Me Wild program offers tips and a reporting portal for human-bear conflicts, and the U.S. Forest Service maintains bear-awareness resources for visitors to the Angeles National Forest. For more information, see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service materials.
The widely shared video is a reminder that even familiar local trails can deliver sudden wildlife encounters, and that giving animals space, staying calm and carrying the right gear can matter in a split second. Hikers who witness aggressive or unusual bear behavior are urged to contact local rangers or wildlife officials so animals that pose continued risks can be tracked and managed.
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