The Lost Grizzlies: A Search for Survivors in the Colorado Wilderness

Elk and black bear are abundant in Colorado's San Juan mountains. Does the grizzly still exist there? Since 1979, when a man was mauled by a grizzly, there have been a few unconfirmed sightings. With grizzly expert Doug Peacock and biologist Dennis Sizemore, Bass (The Nine-Mile Wolves) made three trips to the area to follow up the sightings and to search for signs (tracks and claw marks on trees, scat) that they would send to a laboratory for confirmation. The result is an engaging account of their adventures. For all three, just being in the wilderness was exhilarating; to Bass, the awareness that the bears might exist there was the heart of this search. On a solo climb at about 11,000 feet, Bass encountered a large bear he believes was a grizzly (again, no proof). Here he conveys in freewheeling style his appreciation of the wilderness and a strong sense of camaraderie. (Nov.)