General Regulations:

All scented items (food, soap, sunscreen, repellent, garbage, toothpaste, lotion, etc.) must be stored properly at all times. The use of bear-proof canisters is the preferred food storage method and will be required throughout both parks starting in 2009. Currently, bear-proof canisters are only required in the three areas noted below (Rae Lakes Loop, Dusy Basin, Rock Creek Drainage).

Temporary Food Storage Restrictions:

Rae Lakes Loop & Vicinity (5/27/08-10/31/08) – To preserve the natural behavior of bears and to protect visitor safety, portable, park-approved, bear-proof food storage containers (with the capacity to store all garbage, scent, and food items) are required for all overnight parties both entering and exiting the restricted area bordered by the following landmarks: Sawmill Pass and the Woods Creek drainage on the north; Forester Pass and the Kings/Kern Divide on the south; the Sierra Crest on the east; and Cedar Grove, South Fork of the Kings River, and Sphinx Crest on the west. All trail corridors and cross-country routes within the area are included in the restriction. This regulation applies to all groups. Long distance through-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail with a valid wilderness permit must use portable, park-approved, bear-proof food storage containers or camp at sites with food storage lockers and use the lockers.

Dusy Basin Area (5/27/08-10/31/08) – All parties camping within the restricted area, must have park-approved, bear-proof food storage containers (with the capacity to store all garbage, scent, and food items). This area includes all camp areas from Bishop Pass to the junction with the John Muir Trail in LeConte Canyon and all cross-country areas in Dusy Basin and Palisades Basin.

Rock Creek Area (5/27/08-10/31/08) – All parties camping within the restricted area, must have park-approved, bear-proof food storage containers (with the capacity to store all garbage, scent, and food items). This area includes all camp areas in the Rock Creek drainage west of Cottonwood and New Army Passes, south of Crabtree Pass, south of Guyot Pass, and north-northwest of the Sequoia National Park boundary and Siberian Pass, including Soldier Lake, Miter Basin, along Rock Creek, and Siberian Outpost. All trail corridors and cross-country routes within the area are included in the restriction. This regulation applies to all groups. Long distance through-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail with a valid wilderness permit must use portable, park approved, bear-proof food storage containers or camp at sites with food storage lockers and use the lockers.

The techniques of counterbalancing or hanging food by other methods, or posting a guard to protect improperly stored food, are prohibited in the above areas. These regulations will be in effect the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through October 31. Outside this time period, hanging food (e.g. counterbalancing) will be allowed only when snow prevents access to food storage lockers.

Unsure whether your trip passes through the restricted areas? Call the Wilderness Office at (559) 565-3766.