Hiker encounters bear near Lacamas Lake in Washington

CLARK COUNTY, Wash. — A woman is still in shock after encountering a black bear while hiking near Lacamas Lake in Washington state Sunday afternoon.

Sue Francisco saw the bear not once, but twice while she was on the trail. She said although she was a little surprised to see a bear in the area, she wasn't at all nervous when she saw the bear. Francisco said she looked into his eyes and tried to get even closer, something you're never supposed to do. She said she was hiking the Woodburn Trail near Lacamas Lake on Sunday when she saw the bear.

“I’m a big nature lover and I was fascinated by the bear,” Francisco said. “It ran away from me, so I wasn’t afraid of the bear.”

What Francisco did next is what experts say you're never supposed to do.

“He ran up a tree and he put his claws at the base of the tree like he was going to run up,” Francisco said. “I forgot everything I was supposed to do when you see a bear – I looked him straight in the eye and said, 'It's okay, don't be afraid.'

She thought it was the end and continued on her way, then she saw the bear again.

“I thought he had run away like a deer and I thought I could continue down the trail. A few seconds later he bounced on the track and ran in front of me,” Francisco said.

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Britton Ransford of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said it was likely a black bear, even though it has brown fur. He also said they receive reports of bears in the area several times a year. The area where the bear was seen is near a green space between the Washougal River and Lacamas Lake, where black bears travel.

One day after coming almost face-to-face with a bear, Francisco plans to be better prepared in the future – and remember what to do in case there is a next time.

According to Ransford, here's what to do if you encounter a bear in the wild.

Stop, try to stay calm and walk away slowly. If you cannot move away safely, try to scare the bear by clapping your hands or stamping your feet.