The trail had taken a sharp drop into a very thick, dark patch of woods. The dampness of the morning dawn filled the air with the fragrance of rotting wood. Suddenly, a huge bear charged out of the foliage and stared at John and Amy, who were now frozen in their tracks. Then, two little cubs appeared behind them. Caught between what they assumed was the mother and her two cubs, these avid hikers realized in an instant that they were in deep trouble. John stepped in front of Amy and said softly to her, "You turn right now and run back up the trail to the ranger station.