DR Jane I think i would have been too scared to hike with the bear warning.
Although your warning reminded of something. There is a man-made lake, park, forrest 5 minutes from where i live. On the really hot days i was using the bike path through the forrest. While i was entering that area there were pictures of rabbits, foxes and a bear! The last one freaked me out (although the sign has been there for years). I hope there are no bears in there!