While most of the group had rushed ahead, I remained behind since I was carrying lunch for the people in the back. We had been hiking for several hours and I was shocked to look up and see someone who wasn't from our group approaching me on the trail. Long white scraggly hair and beard without a shirt, at first I thought he was a crazy mountain man! Turns out he was a nice guy who was on a solo hike for a few days. As I passed him over a small hill, I let out a long semi-aggravated sigh since I was eagerly awaiting lunch. A few seconds later I heard a shriek ring out behind me! Two of the girls in our group were holding each other and looking around wildly screaming "Bear, bear, BEAR!!!". The man who I had just met was still on the trail and remained quite calm saying "That's rare for them to be out this time of year", whilst the girls were going crazy!
Turns out that my sigh had been taken as a bear growl! I felt awful for unintentionally scaring the girls, but the whole incident was hilarious
Just to clarify, I don't think all girls scare so easily. These particular two had just expected the worse for their first time in the wilderness, but really enjoyed the trip at the end.