We were mountain biking the Gold Dust Trail between Boreas Pass and Como, Colorado. Heading down the trail, I caught a glimpse of what looked like claw marks on a tree. Scott Ellis stopped in front of me and said, “Did you see the bear claw marks?”

I said I did and I needed to get a photo…

Front of tree

Back of tree

More marked trees on the other side of the trail

Doing some reading, apparently bears mark the trees in this manner for several reasons. They might be marking territory, eating portions of the tree or teaching young bears how to climb.

While it’s exciting to see the marks, no need to linger too long...

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