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WEST YELLOWSTONE- Last week's fatal bear attack in Yellowstone National Park happened just five miles in the backcountry, on a popular day-use trail in the park.

The attack is the second fatal bear encounter in the park this year and park officials are using this tragedy to remind hikers in the backcountry to follow basic safety steps to help avoid encounters with grizzlies.

John Wallace, 59, was walking this trail between Canyon and Old Faithful, traveling alone.

"Well, first of all we certainly recommend that people when they hike in the backcountry of Yellowstone they hike in groups. We would like to see people hike in groups of six or more. We recommend that they make noise, that they be alert. If they see a bear they retreat from the area but they don't run," Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk advised.

What really happened that day may never be known, there were no signs of cubs found in the area of the attack, so what provoked it will also remain a mystery. What is known is that some basic precautions were not taken.

"We think there are ways that people can be more safe in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park , and this individual was hiking alone, this individual did not carry bear spray which is also a recommendation of all hikers in the backcountry," Wenk said.

Park officials also encourage anyone who sees a bear in the park's backcountry, to report its location as soon as possible.

Yellowstone officials are continuing to search for the bear involved in last week's attack.