Officials closed the Mount Si trail after a bear with cubs charged three teenage hikers.
NORTH BEND, Wash. — A black bear charged a group of three teenage hikers on the Mount Si Trail Tuesday afternoon, scratching one boy and triggering the temporary closure of one of Washington state’s most popular hiking routes as wildlife officers searched for the animal.
The encounter happened in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area, a heavily visited recreation destination about 35 miles southeast of Seattle. Authorities said the teenagers were hiking together when they came across a mother bear with cubs. The incident quickly drew attention from local officials because defensive attacks by black bears are uncommon in Washington, where wildlife managers closely monitor encounters between people and large animals.
According to officials, the incident occurred at about 12:45 p.m. roughly 2.7 miles up the Mount Si Trail. The three teenagers, described as basketball players from Thomas Jefferson High School, were hiking together when they encountered the bear and her cubs. Wildlife experts have long warned that female bears can become aggressive when they perceive a threat to their young. During the encounter, the bear charged the group and swiped at one of the teenagers, leaving him with scratches. Another teen injured an ankle while trying to flee the area. Emergency responders were contacted and arrived to assist the group. King County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter Linde said the teen who was scratched suffered only minor injuries. Linde said the boy was frightened but did not appear to have serious wounds. Medical personnel later evaluated the injured hiker and transported him for treatment and observation.
Authorities said the attack appeared to be defensive rather than predatory. Initial reports indicated that the bear was accompanied by cubs when the hikers encountered it on the trail. Wildlife officers also received a separate report involving a bear following hikers in the same area, raising concerns that the animal could pose an ongoing safety risk. As a result, officials closed access to the trail while crews searched the conservation area. Investigators worked to determine whether both reports involved the same bear. Officials emphasized that encounters involving mother bears and cubs often develop quickly because the animals may react before people have time to move away. The exact sequence of events leading up to the charge remains under review. Authorities have not publicly identified the injured teenagers, and officials said several details about the encounter are still being examined as part of the response.
Mount Si is among the most frequently visited hiking destinations in western Washington and attracts thousands of hikers each year. The conservation area includes several mountain peaks and extensive trail systems that draw outdoor enthusiasts from across the Seattle region. Washington is home to an estimated 22,000 black bears, according to state wildlife officials. Despite that population, serious attacks remain rare. State records show only one fatal black bear attack in Washington since the 1970s. Most encounters end without injury, particularly when hikers travel in groups and avoid surprising wildlife at close range. Wildlife experts routinely advise visitors to remain alert, make their presence known on trails, and give animals ample space. Encounters involving cubs receive particular attention because female bears are more likely to react aggressively when they perceive danger near their offspring.
Wildlife officers spent the hours after the incident searching for the bear and evaluating whether further action would be necessary. Officials said that if the animal is located and determined to pose a continuing threat to public safety, management options could include removal or euthanasia. Such decisions are typically made after investigators assess the circumstances of an encounter and determine whether the animal has become unusually aggressive around people. The trail closure was expected to remain in place while authorities completed their assessment. Officials also planned to review witness accounts and any available evidence from the scene. Additional updates were expected from local law enforcement and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as the investigation continued.
The incident left hikers across the region talking about the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters on popular trails. Deputy Linde noted that the teenagers benefited from hiking together and having communication devices available to contact emergency responders. The scratched teen was treated and released after receiving medical attention. Other visitors expressed concern about the closure but said they understood the need for caution while wildlife officers investigated. For many outdoor enthusiasts, the event served as a reminder that even well-traveled recreation areas remain part of a larger natural habitat shared with wild animals. Officials said the response focused on protecting both public safety and the long-term management of wildlife in the conservation area.
The injured teenager’s wounds were reported as minor, and authorities continued searching for the bear Wednesday. Officials said further decisions about reopening the trail and any action involving the animal would depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Author note: Last updated June 18, 2026.