During his exploration of the Giant Sequoia belt in 1875, Muir observed the evidence of bears.

“On many of the trees, at a height of six or eight feet, [the bear’s] autographs were inscribed in strong, free, flowing strokes on the soft bark where they had stood up like cats to stretch their limbs. Using both hands, every claw a pen, the handsome curved lines of their writing take the form of remarkably regular interlacing pointed arches, producing a truly ornamental effect. I looked and listened, half expecting to see some of the writers alarmed and withdrawing from the unwonted disturbance.” (Shone Collection of Muiriana, Bear "writing." 1875)

For more information...

Read King Sequoia: The Tree That Inspired a Nation, Created Our National Park System, and Changed the Way We Think about Nature, 2015 by William C. Tweed.