Terrifying moment huge bear charges hiker on Los Angeles trail — before he makes insane move
A startling encounter in Angeles National Forest was caught on camera when a hiker came face-to-face with a large brown bear—and reacted in a way that surprised onlookers.
In the footage, the man, outfitted for a hike and wearing a hat, is seen deliberately stepping toward the bear rather than retreating. He shakes bells, seemingly trying to frighten the animal away. The tactic appears to have the opposite effect, as the bear becomes agitated and moves toward him in what looks like a charge before the clip abruptly ends.
The video was recorded by fellow hiker Erin Chiu, who watched the tense moment unfold from nearby. He later said he was alarmed by the man’s behavior, noting that approaching a bear is the last thing most people would consider doing in that situation. Concerned for the hiker’s safety, he and others in his group chose to stay hidden and avoid drawing attention.
Chiu, who regularly hikes the trail several times a week and typically covers long distances, said he had never encountered a bear in that area before. During this outing, he and his companions moved off the trail and concealed themselves behind brush until the animal passed.
The hiker in the video ultimately managed to retreat slowly as the bear advanced, avoiding a physical confrontation.
Wildlife experts emphasize that if you encounter a bear, running is one of the worst things you can do, as it can trigger the animal’s instinct to chase. Guidance from the National Park Service advises staying calm, standing your ground, and speaking in a steady, low voice to signal that you are human. Most bear encounters do not result in injury if the animal does not feel threatened.
Bear sightings have been reported more frequently across Los Angeles County, especially in foothill communities such as Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Castaic, and Arcadia. This particular encounter took place near Arcadia.
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