Teen injured in black bear attack on WA's Mount Si
2 teens hurt after bear attack on Mt. Si
One teen was attacked by a bear, and another hurt himself while running away on a trail on Mount Si Tuesday afternoon.
NORTH BEND, Wash. - A teen boy was injured in a black bear attack on a trail at Mount Si, officials confirmed.
What we know:
It happened around 1 p.m. Tuesday, about 2.7 miles up the Mt. Si trail. The teen called 911 to report he was being chased by a bear. Several others heard him screaming as he ran into the woods, prompting additional 911 calls.
First responders gather near the Mt. Si trailhead after a bear attack on June 16, 2026. (FOX 13 Seattle)
First responders confirmed the teen was attacked by a bear on the trail. He sustained multiple minor scratches and was taken to a local hospital.
The teen was with two other people when the bear attacked, and another teen boy twisted his ankle while running away. He was not attacked by the bear.
A second group of hikers reported being followed closely by a black bear for several miles.
It's believed the bear became aggressive because she was protecting her cubs, which were sighted in the area. Officials say bear attacks are very uncommon in the Snoqualmie region.
Mount Si trails have reopened, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) posted signage warning people about the bear.
The backstory:
Black bears are common throughout Washington, as there are about 22,000 across the state. There have been a total of 20 human encounters with black bears in Washington since 1970, and the only fatal black bear attack happened in 1974, according to WDFW.
In general, bears avoid people. However, wildlife officials gave the following tips if you ever encounter a bear in the wild:
- Identify yourself as human by standing up, waving your hands in the air, and talking in a low voice.
- Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Do not run away.
- Use bear spray if you have it.
For more information about black bears, visit the WDFW website.
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The Source: Information in this story came from Eastside Fire and Rescue and the King County Sheriff's Office.