Some background: I was a San Gorgonio Wilderness Volunteer Ranger in 1989-91 or so, and I never once heard of bears bothering backpackers. Sure, they were down in the car camping and populated areas rummaging through the garbage, but up in the high country they were never an issue. Never. No one ever bear-bagged, and bear canisters were for the Sierras.
Now I read this: http://www.sgwa.org/bearbag.htm
So I would like to get the straight dope from experienced San Gorgonio backpackers: is there now really a problem with bears getting into backpackers' food, a problem that has appeared only in the last fifteen years? Can anyone tell me if this is something really to be concerned about or is it official ass-covering?
I'm not saying it's impossible, I just want the truth. I'll give you an example of why (aside from my earlier experience) I am skeptical: when I was a volunteer, we were advised to advise visitors to treat the water from springs and high creeks, and so we did. However, I never, ever met a volunteer who treated his own water. We had never heard of a real case of giardia or anything like that contracted from spring or high creek water. We all filled our bladders right from the springs, whatever we told the visitors.
So I am wondering whether this bear business is more of the same thing.
One of the many advantages of hiking the San Bernardinos vs the Sierras was you didn't have to worry about bear-bagging or bear canisters. I really hope this hasn't changed.