Black Bear Spooks Woodinville Residents

Gina Guajardo and her son got more than they bargained for during an afternoon stroll Sunday through Gold Creek County Park in the Hollywood Hill area of Woodinville.

Guajardo posted about it on the Woodinville Facebook page:

My son and I saw a bear today around 1:30 p.m. right by the middle of Gold Creek park before going down to the ravine on our way back to the lodge. It was a fast sighting since we heard it first, look up and he was moving between the brush, we just ran back in the trail as fast as we could. It was black and not very big, and he gave us a big scare.

Facebook user Heidi Bodding reported four bears, a mom and three cubs have been spotted in the Timbercrest area lately and Michael Charlton added that the four have also been seen just southeast of Echo Lake.

"Mom likes apples," he added.

If you do encounter a bear or if one wanders into a residential area, the best recourse is to stay far away from the animal and clap your hands or blow a whistle, officials with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said earlier this year.

Click here for more tips on staying safe if you spot a bear.

How common are bear sightings in Woodinville? Does hearing about the bears make you less likely to use area trails and parks? Let us know in comments.