There seems to be endless ways for us to appreciate the beauty of nature. Whenever we do so up close, it’s important to follow some safety rules. This includes staying far away from any potentially dangerous animals, bears included. That said, there’s one “bear” in North Carolina that is the exception. In fact, folks from all around flock to the state in order to get the best view.
Videos by InspireMore
Okay, so it’s not exactly as it sounds. The bear found in the mountains of Jackson County isn’t actually a real bear. Rather, it’s a unique shadow that takes on the appearance of a bear. It’s referred to as Shadow of the Bear, making an appearance on sunny days between mid-October and November. Check it out yourself in the video below!
@discoverjacksonnc There's still time this season to see the Shadow of the Bear, a naturally occurring phenomenon that happens between mid-October and November. 🐻 On sunny days around 5:30 p.m., the shadow appears for just 30 minutes. It can be viewed from U.S. 64 near Cashiers, NC, close to the Rhodes Big View Overlook. (Just be careful and watch out for traffic when parking and leaving the site.) 🚙 Enjoy this recent video of the bear emerging from the mountain! #bearshadow #bearshadownc #shadowofthebear #cashiersnc #whitesidemountain #discoverjacksonnc #jacksoncountync ♬ original sound – Jackson County, NC
Shadow of the Bear Leaves Countless Folks in Awe Every Single Year
“This is my happy place. Love it every year,” someone shares in the comments, another adding, “I saw this by mistake the first time and look for it every time I’m driving through.”
We can thank Whiteside Mountain for this gorgeous view. Because of its orientation, the sun sets in a way that allows it to form this bear-like shape. What are the odds!?
If you want to see the Shadow of the Bear for yourself, you’ll want to get there by 5:30 p.m. — expect it to be visible for 30 minutes. But because it’s so popular, the crowds can make navigating a bit challenging. So prepare for that in order to stay safe! And if you are looking to avoid the biggest crowds, you might want to go during the “Secret Season” in mid-February to March.
Plus, with an elevation of 4,930 feet, the Shadow of the Bear certainly won’t be the only part of the view that will take your breath away. Have fun!
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!
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