Two hikers were seriously injured Monday afternoon in a bear encounter on the popular Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful, marking the year’s first bear attack in Yellowstone National Park.
The National Park Service confirmed that emergency personnel responded to the Mystic Falls area after the two hikers sustained injuries from what they believe to be at least one, but perhaps more bears. Both were airlifted from the scene and transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where they underwent surgery.
The victims, a 28-year-old and a 14-year-old, have been identified by family and church connections from Arlington, Texas. According to reports, they were visiting the park with their mother as part of a church group. Updates shared via social media by relatives and friends, indicate that the pair sustained serious injuries but were stabilized upon arrival at the hospital. One brother is reported to be awake and beginning recovery, while the other faces additional surgeries.
Craig Lerman, a 35-year-old hiker from Maryland, was the first person to reach the scene shortly after the attack. As he approached Mystic Falls, Lerman noticed bear paw prints in the mud and snow, followed by a bloody hat and watch on the trail. He then heard calls for help.
“I saw bear prints in the mud. I kept walking a little further and saw a bloody hat with a watch torn off,” Lerman told Cowboy State Daily. “He heard me coming and started saying, ‘Help. Help me.’ At first I thought it was a prank or joke. Kids playing games. But when I got close to him, I knew this was a serious matter.”
He found the 28-year-old victim lying on the side of the trail with significant wounds to his face, back, and legs. Lerman provided first aid, giving the man his shirt and helping keep him conscious and positioned on his side, all while calling 911 and staying with him until rangers arrived.
As of right now, NPS officials are describing the incident as a single event and are investigating. Several trails and areas west of the Grand Loop Road have been temporarily closed, including Fairy Falls Trail, Sentinel Meadows Trail, Imperial Meadows Trail, and others, along with some backcountry campsites and fishing access on the Firehole River. The closures remain in effect as of Wednesday while officials assess the situation.
Park spokespeople have not yet confirmed whether the bear was a grizzly or black bear, nor have they indicated any plan to euthanize the animal, suggesting the encounter may have been defensive in nature.
This attack is Yellowstone’s first bear-related injury of the 2026 season, and only the second to result in injuries within the last five years.
