What was supposed to be a peaceful solo hike turned into a nightmare for 29-year-old Laura Hartman, a yoga instructor and seasoned hiker.

While trekking through Montana’s Grange Creek wilderness, she noticed fresh bear tracks—but kept walking. Then came the snap of a twig behind her.

She turned—and locked eyes with a massive grizzly.

Laura ran, heart racing, until she spotted a tree and climbed as fast as she could. But the bear climbed too, closing in.

Just when it seemed like the end, two gunshots rang out. A park ranger had heard her scream and fired into the air. The bear backed off.

Laura, bloodied and shaken, made it down alive.

Now, she never hikes alone—and shares her story to warn others. “I’ve looked a grizzly in the eye,” she says. “You don’t want to.”