Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Winterkeeper’s tale written in solitude

Steve Lautenbach had company recently, and after more than six months of solitude, it was downright exciting.

"I saw a grizzly bear and cub today, right in front of my cabin," the winter caretaker of Many Glacier Hotel said on April 14. "I was shoveling out my car. It's the first year the bears have been out so early."

There aren't many signs of life around Many Glacier Hotel in the winter, so when Lautenbach came 12 feet from being face to face with mama and baby bear, it was an adrenaline rush, and maybe a little bit unsettling.