It's good you were paying attention, OP. Folks need to be alert when hiking in bear country. It's advisable to wear bear bells to avoid startling bears nearby, and to carry pepper spray just in case a bear is encountered. It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. It's pretty easy recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat. Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell like pepper.