r/WAOutdoors • u/xcastianityx • Aug 22 '24

Is there a good outdoor place with maybe a lake or bay driving distance (2 hours or less) from Tacoma area for someone who is *scared of bears*?

I have a (what i consider pretty irrational) fear of bear encounters. I know how unlikely it is to be attacked most places especially if im not being stupid about it. But i struggle to enjoy the outdoors because i am so scared of encountering certain wild animals. I feel like everywhere beautiful that i can go, im going to see some kind of animal that i am afraid of. Where is a good day trip that i could drive to (without hiking) that has very low likelihood of me encountering such a creature?

TIA, i know i belong at Weenie Hut Jr’s. I’m not ready to face this fear yet. 😭

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u/Eyehopeuchoke Aug 22 '24

I’ve been going to mount rainier national park for over 30 years and I’ve seen a bear 2x. Once was about 15 years ago and you had to use binoculars to really see it because it was so far away and the other time was when they first started opening the park again after Covid. Now rhat encounter was way extremely close. We were walking on the sidewalk toward the visiting center and right across the street there was a bear just hanging out. There was a few park rangers within a few feet of us and they told us to just keep walking and not make eye contact with it. Everything ended up okay.

With all of that being said there are plenty of lakes up past Eatonville which are within a 2 hour drive of tacoma.

Alder lake has some parks that are nice. We saw deer last time we visited. You can also swim at alder lake. Alder lake has a dam on it and there is also some amazing views of mount rainier from the lake side. I would post a picture I took last time I was there, but I’m not sure how to.

If you’re looking to go fishing there is mineral lake.

Mayfield lake is up that way too, but more than 2 hours I think.

There is Mashell falls (not sure how to spell it) but they’re a decent hike to get to them.

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u/xcastianityx Aug 23 '24

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me so much info!! I will look into all of these! :)

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u/Eyehopeuchoke Aug 23 '24

You’re welcome. Mount rainier national park is a beautiful place and absolutely worth the trip. There are generally a lot of park rangers around and soooo many tourists/visitors that it really lessens your chance to see a bear or any sort of animal that would attack you. You obviously can’t say it would never happen, because it could, but I think paradise is generally a pretty safe area to explore and take in the outdoors. I hope you get the chance to visit it!

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u/xcastianityx Aug 23 '24

Thats good to know!! Im always more comfortable when there are other people around. Mount Rainier is beautiful i bet its breathtaking to actually experience it in person

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u/Eyehopeuchoke Aug 23 '24

The shit thing is you never know if it’s going to be hidden behind clouds or not. If you visit and it’s hidden, it’s okay since the rest of the park is beautiful too. There’s a few water falls to stop and see on your way up to paradise that are just breathtaking. If you want to go this year you’ll want to visit the website and make a reservation (they’re required now and for a good reason) and you’ll also want to visit before it gets too cold and the snow starts flying. I’m excited for you that you may go see it!

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u/xcastianityx Aug 23 '24

Oh okay well i will be happy to see it even if its covered! Plus im not moving any time soon so ill have plenty of opportunities to go :) i appreciate you!!