What was your closest ADK bear encounter?

I love the ADKs especially because of how much different wildlife you come across on any given day, especially in the wilderness areas. Considering bears are the biggest animal in the ADKs, I was interested in other peopels' closest bear encounters and if they were friendly or hostile.



I'd have to say my closest was this past summer in the Five Ponds wilderness, coming back from a few days hiking and only a few hours from returning to the car when 30 feet up there were 3 bear cubs and a big momma bear on the trail coming out of bushes. My friend started turned her back to the bears and started walking really fast back down the trail at which point the momma bear stood up on her hind legs, at which point I decidedly raised by staff and proceeded to yell at her to go away, upon which she got back down and ran down the trail. I started walking ahead a few moments later but then a 4th cub crawled out of the bushes! Needless to say I enjoyed every moment of the experience and didn't feel there was any danger but given there were 4 cubs I would think if I tried to run up and grab one under each arm and run away there would be a bit of a bear wrestling match and I'd probably lose.