Glacier: Eight Grizzlies Gather Atop Siyeh Peak for Moth Season
From mid-July through late August, hikers on Glacier's high rocky summits may run into several grizzlies feasting on high-altitude moths.
If you're planning a high climb in Glacier this summer, keep in mind an unusual scene the outdoor press is reporting. According to Unofficial Networks, eight grizzlies were spotted together on top of Siyeh Peak, a summit that rises to 10,020 feet and ranks as the third-highest peak in the park. Eight big bears on the same rock isn't a coincidence. It's where the food is right now.
The reason comes down to a surprising seasonal diet. Per that same source, the grizzlies flip over rocks on the high, rocky slopes to catch moths (army cutworm moths), night-flying insects that shelter by the thousands in the scree. Each bear can eat several thousand a day, a calorie windfall that explains why they climb so high and cluster in the same spot. Again according to Unofficial Networks, this feeding phase runs from mid-July through late August, exactly the window when a lot of hikers are aiming for these open summits.
For you, that changes how you approach the highest rocky slopes, Siyeh Peak first among them. Running into a lone grizzly is already a possibility in Glacier, but coming across a group focused on feeding calls for extra caution. A bear that's eating doesn't want to be disturbed. Always carry your bear spray and keep it within reach, not buried at the bottom of your pack. The National Park Service recommends staying at least 100 yards from any bear, a distance we'd treat as a floor, not a target to test.
Before you set out on these high routes, check the park's current alerts, since temporary trail closures are common when bear activity picks up. For everything else (access, season, trails, and logistics), our Glacier National Park guide will help you time your visit for the right moment and the right place.