Yes, your pack could smell of food. I generally carry my trail food for the day in the top pocket so it already smells of food. In most cases I take the bear cannister because it is required. I have backpacked many many years in these same areas without a bear cannister. If you are really worried, then obviously, this is not a method you want to use.

By the way, the cannister is not smell proof. Food smells leak out of the cannister when it is in your pack. If you want a smell-proof bear cannister you have to use those smell-proof bags for everything inside the bear cannister.