After spending the previous few months in close proximity to people and potential conflict, Grizzly 399’s safe return to Pilgrim Creek and her denning area was a fitting celebration for New Year’s Day. For much of her journey north, Grizzly 399 did the hard work of breaking trail, allowing her four cubs to have much easier going. This wasn’t the first time she returned to her den in January; in 2012 she was seen making the final leg of the journey a day later on January 2nd. If food is plentiful, staying out so late has its advantages, the arduous trek through deep snow not being one of them.