They're certainly out there right now around the Portals. Ranger at the Interagency Center said that they've had 4 bear breakins this year already, which is extremely high according to him. That should be the year long total, and it's only half way through the summer.
When we were there last week, we were awakened three separate times to a bear trying to get in to the trash can about 30 yards away from our tent. We're pretty sure it was the same bear all three times, but they were each hours apart.
I did not see any bears when I was there Thursday night/Friday morning, but I was only at the Portal for about 20 mins. before hitting the trail.
