A routine hike on Mount Si turned into a frightening survival story last week after a black bear attacked a group of teenage hikers on one of Washington’s most popular trails. The incident happened on June 16 when students from Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn encountered the bear roughly 2.7 miles up the trail. According to wildlife officials, the bear charged the group, scratching one teen and causing another to injure himself while trying to escape.
During the chaos, one of the hikers became separated from the rest of the group and found himself alone with the bear. The teen later said the animal remained nearby for nearly 30 minutes, creating a terrifying situation as he searched for a way to get to safety. He eventually managed to scare the bear away using a whistle and was able to make contact with rescuers. Search and rescue teams responded quickly and evacuated the injured hikers from the mountain.
The attack prompted an immediate response from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, which temporarily closed Mount Si, Little Si, and nearby trails while officers searched for the bear. Additional hikers reported seeing what appeared to be a bear and cub in the area, leading officials to believe the animal may have been acting defensively. Despite extensive efforts, wildlife officers were unable to locate the bear responsible for the attack.
After several days of searching, officials called off the operation and reopened the trails. Warning signs were posted at trailheads reminding hikers that black bears are active throughout the region and encouraging visitors to remain alert. Wildlife experts noted that attacks like this are extremely rare, especially on a heavily trafficked trail that sees hundreds of thousands of hikers each year.
The incident has served as a reminder that even Washington’s most popular outdoor destinations remain part of the state’s natural wildlife habitat. While encounters with black bears are not uncommon in the Cascades, aggressive interactions are exceptionally rare. For many hikers, last week’s attack on Mount Si will be remembered as one of the most unusual and alarming wildlife incidents to occur on the mountain in recent years.