We are still on the Icefields Parkway and about four or five stops past the last stop with the black bear. We had just pulled back onto the highway from viewing Parker’s Ridge when we saw lots of cars and people along the highway. Seeing the direction of their movement, I pulled past them and maneuvered our RV in amongst the other vehicles. It was a Grizzly bear and he was heading right for us. The Grizzly came within 10 – 12 feet of us – and we stayed inside our RV. After coming right to our RV, he went off the roadway, but only another 10 – 15 feet. He was rooting around a small mound covered with brush. Then he partially stood up and then crouched (4th photo) in place. We had no idea what he was doing and we were speculating about it. I was guessing that nature was about to take its course. Suddenly, a squirrel ran out from the mound under the bear. The squirrel ran as fast as it could and was zigzagging as it went. The Grizzly bear was after it and only about a nose from the squirrel the entire run, making every turn that the squirrel made. The squirrel made it to another hole without the bear catching it, but it was a close race.

The visitor center had information on Grizzly bears. It said that in a sprint, a Grizzly is about 150% faster than an Olympic sprinter. I didn’t believe it when I read it. I believe it now, after I saw this Grizzly chase a squirrel. Watching the Grizzly chase the squirrel was the highlight of the day for me. It would have made a great video, but none of us ever expected to see what we ended up witnessing.

About 25 to 30 idiots were standing outside their vehicles and right along the road as the squirrel chase was happening. Even after the bear gave up on the squirrel and started walking back in our direction, they were all still standing outside taking photos. And some of you might have thought that we were crazy. Well, we weren’t that crazy. We started to speculate about whether “natural selection” might take place, since the Grizzly hadn’t caught the squirrel. But the bear wandered off in search of other ‘natural’ food.