If you're planning a backcountry trek in Olympic National Park this summer, better read up on the new food storage requirements.

The main one is that bear canisters are now required in the Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin area to include all camps adjacent to and enclosed by the Deer Lake Trail, High Divide Trail, and Sol Duc River Trail (High Divide Loop), and adjacent camps along the Mink Lake Trail, East High Divide Trail, and Cat Basin area.

Bear canisters also are required in the Royal Lake/Royal Basin area. And if you're traveling along the coast, you're required to have a hard-sided foot container, such as a bear canister, for all food, garbage and scented items to thwart those pesky raccoons that have learned how to rob food bags.

In addition to the areas listed above, bear canisters are required in all areas where food cannot be hung at least 12 feet high and 10 feet out from the nearest tree trunk.

Park staff like to point out that many of Olympic's popular backpacking destinations are also frequented by black bears and other wildlife. So, to stay safe, you must be able to keep their your, garbage and all scented articles away from wildlife.

“Keeping human food away from bears and other wildlife is one of the most important things we can do to keep both people and animals safe,” says Olympic Superintendent Karen Gustin. “Proper storage of food, garbage and scented items is essential for anyone camping, hiking or just enjoying the park.”

Except in areas where more specific regulations apply, all food, garbage, and scented items such as toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, toiletries, and chapstick, must be stored in bear canisters, hung from park bear wires, or hung at least 12 feet high and 10 feet out from the nearest tree trunk.

Keep in mind that bears and most other wildlife are active 24 hours a day, and so you should have all food and scented items secured 24 hours a day whenever they are not being used.

Visitors camping in the park’s road-accessed campgrounds must also take steps to protect food from wildlife and are required to store all food and scented items in a car trunk or one of the onsite animal-proof food storage lockers when not in use. Food, dishes, garbage or other strongly scented items should never be left unattended in campsites, picnic areas or housing areas. Campsites and other human use areas should be kept clean 24 hours a day.