Are bears a problem at Whitney Portal?
Yes, according to the folks at the Whitney Portal Store there are 2 or 3 active bear roaming the Whitney Portal area the summer 2003, one reported to be in the 400 pound range. You must keep your food in the bear lockers provided at your campsite or risk your vehicle being broken into, we saw bear break into an Explorer in 1999 for a package of beef jerky. We further recommend utilizing the restaurant at the Whitney Portal Store. The food is reasonable, good and the portions are huge (especially breakfast) and it minimizes the chances of your car being broken into. In 2001 the forest service was aggressively ticketing people for leaving food and coolers unattended in their vehicles to the tune of $150 a pop, and the rangers do check inside your cars.
