Visiting Bear country with Penthouse top

[mauratracy]

Hi all. We're planning to go to the Red's Meadow area in the Eastern Sierra in June. We've yet to camp in bear areas, and have no experience doing so. We're camping with a large group of similarly inexperienced folk - and I'm the organizer of the trip!

My concern is regarding food storage. There are bear boxes there, but since we're with a large group (in a group site) I'm not sure if the boxes will be large enough to accommodate everyone's stuff. As the organizer I can make sure there's enough room for *my* stuff, but don't want to be selfish if I don't have to. From what I've heard from park staff this is an area where we *can* keep foodstuffs in our cars, in the trunk or covered, out of site, in the passenger area. I also read not to store food in RV's with soft sides (I suppose the bear can smell through that material?).....like the penthouse top?!

So, can anyone share their experiences "car camping" with a penthouse top in this area, or other areas where there are bear?

Thanks,
Maura, with a Ford E150 passenger van, with just the penthouse top (soccer mom's camping/everyday ride extraordinaire) , in SoCal

[Ford_6L_E350]

There was a recent thread about Yosemite that covered the same subject.

Only, in Yosemite the bears have learned that cars contain food. But, I haven't heard about problems with vans or rv's. The bears that search cars for food want to be able to see the object of their desires before they rip open the car. Hence, cover it with a blanket.

We leave food in the refrig and in the pantry. When not around, we simply lower the top and don't worry about it. The curtains are closed, windshield covered and nothing to see. Chances are a bear will look for easier or more certain pickings and leave the van alone.

Mike

[surfgeek33]

Here is that Yosemite thread.

http://sportsmobileforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2946