I've probably done Black Bear close to 30 times over the years (twice going up). A buddy of mine and I did Poughkeepsie Gulch/Hurricane Pass/Corkscrew Pass/Black Bear Pass last summer in our FJ's (I've done Black Bear a number of times in my 4-Runner as well). We didn't use a spotter at any point so I don't consider any of them to be particularly challenging (Poughkeepsie can present a challenge to a lot of folks). We saw a Mercedes parked at the bottom of the falls beside the steps. It was abandoned. I have no idea what it was doing there since I can't imagine someone coming down that far in it and coming up the switchbacks would be illegal (and against traffic). There is one of the switchbacks that usually has loose dirt at the apex of the turn (backing up is required to make the turn) and can be a problem if someone attempted it without 4-wheel drive. Other than that it's pretty much a piece of cake.