FAIRBANKS -- A woman and her two nieces got a scare after encountering an aggressive grizzly at Chena River State Recreation Area.

The unidentified woman told a park ranger the group was hiking Thursday when a bear approached them.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the woman said the bear was making noises and hissing.

The grizzly was sprayed with bear repellent two or three times, and the woman broke her hiking stick when striking the bear, estimated at between 100 and 200 pounds. Their dog was bitten by the bear.

After the bear was sprayed, the women hiked away. The bear followed for a while, and the group eventually reached their vehicle.

The trail has not been closed but signs were posted to alert users of bear activity.