More Montana Bear Problems: Glacier Hiker Hurt

Glacier National Park authorities aren't sure if it was a grizzly bear or a black bear, that tangled with a hiker on the popular Highline Trail up on the Garden Wall Thursday.

But as a precaution, rangers have closed the popular trail from Haystack Butte, near where the attack occurred, all the way north to the Granite Park Chalet. The Garden Wall Trail is also closed.

It's the latest run-on with a bear to be reported in the Northern Rockies this month.

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What happened in the Glacier National Park bear attack

Park rangers haven't provided a lot of detail about the encounter, other than to say it happened early Thursday morning when the 35-year-old man and his friends had reached the Grinnell Glacier Overlook, which is a popular side trail and stopping point just above the Highline Trail.

There was no immediate indication as to whether bear spray was used. We do know the hiker didn't suffer "life-threatening" injuries. He was able to continue hiking north to the Granite Park Chalet with assistance from rangers and other hikers. There, he was taken aboard the Two Bear Air helicopter, and flown down to the horse corrals at Apgar. Then he was transported by Three Rivers ambulance to the hospital in Whitefish.

Bear precautions are very important right now

There is a large population of both grizzly and black bears in the park, and visitors are being reminded to be especially "bear aware" this time of the year when the bears are active and looking for food sources to build up calories before hibernation.

The park recommends hikers in Glacier follow several steps:

-Follow the advice that "highly encourages" hiking in groups

-Make noise while hiking (which is very important on brushy and forested trails)

-Carry bear spray at all times and know how to use it

READ MORE: Why Bear Spray is No Longer Optional in Montana

For more information about hiking in bear country, visit the park's bear safety webpage. For the latest on trail closures or warnings, this site is updated regularly.