(QMI Agency file photo)

John Steitz was having a nap on a hiking trail in northeastern Minnesota, dreaming about playing with a dog. But when he woke up, it was a bear on top of him.

Steitz, 26, had stopped for a break on the Superior Hiking Trail Tuesday when he had the vivid dream about a dog jumping on him, scratching and licking his face, he told local newspaper the Duluth News Tribune.

"I opened my eyes and there was a bear on top of me with its face in my face," he said. "I kind of opened my eyes and gave a, 'What-the-expletive?'"

The "hefty" black bear backed away when Steitz leaned forward, and slowly moved away as Steitz and his hiking partner banged pans and made noise to scare it off.

Neither Steitz nor his friend was injured by the bear.