Alaskan Brown Bears - Story

Alaska, a symbol of remote wilderness, is blessed with extraordinary landscapes and coastlines. It is a perfect environment for hiking, kayaking, fishing and observing Alaskan brown bears. The Alaska Peninsula, a stretch of land in the southwest part of mainland Alaska, encompasses several nature and wildlife preserves where thousands of brown bears reside. We travel to the Katmai National Park and Reserve to observe the brown bears in their natural habitat. It is a once in a lifetime experience to experience a remote pristine wilderness.

Katmai National Park and Preserve

The Alaska Peninsula is a stretch of land in the southwest part of mainland Alaska, extending 550 miles into the Pacific Ocean. The sparsely populated peninsula encompasses several nature and wildlife preserves. The Katmai National Park and Preserve, originally established in 1918 to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, was substantially enlarged in 1980. Katmai, situated across the Kodiak Island and separated by Shelikof Strait, spans across millions of acres. Hallo Bay, a Sanctuary within the park, boasts magnificent meadows, mountains and wildflowers. Inside the vast wilderness are scenic Brooks Falls, countless lakes, volcanic landscapes, wild rivers, glaciers and streams. Katmai’s spectacular coastlines serve as a natural habitat for the salmon, brown bears, wolves, lynx and other diverse wildlife. Every year, Katmai’s wilderness attracts adventure seekers, wildlife lovers and photographers.

Alaskan Wilderness Adventure

Alaska, the state in the northwestern part of USA, is a winter wonderland and famed wilderness destination. Since thousands of years, Alaska is home to indigenous people. It was colonized by Russia in the 18th century, acquired by the United States in 1867 and became a state of the United States in 1959. Alaska is a symbol of remote wilderness with abundant natural resources. It is blessed with extraordinary landscapes and coastlines; a perfect environment for hiking, rafting, kayaking, fishing and encountering brown bears. Our wilderness adventure starts with a flight to Anchorage, Alaska, followed by an approximately four hours’ drive to Homer. Set along beautiful Kachemak Bay, Homer is a quaint town with coastal accommodations, diverse outdoor activities and dining venues serving fresh seafood, including Alaskan King Crab and Halibut. In Homer, we organize a day tour to the Katmai National Park and Preserve, a top destination to observe Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat.

Brown Bears Watching

Alaska Peninsula’s national parks and wildlife preserves are home to thousands of bears. The period between June and September is a prime time to observe Alaskan brown bears. At that time, the populations of sockeye salmon migrate from the ocean waters to Alaska’s fresh water rivers and streams to spawn. While the sockeye salmon migrate, the brown bears congregate on the rivers and the streams and feed on spawning salmon. Bears hibernate during the winter and emerge from hibernation in the spring. They stay along Alaskan coast, feeding on the sedge grass, berries and sockeye salmon. Our 1-day tour takes place during a sunny day in September. The sky is blue, the air is cold and the excitement is palatable. We take a floatplane from Homer to the heart of the Katmai National Park. Our small group tour includes an experienced guide, who provides clear instructions about how to behave around the brown bears. We wear long rubber boots and sit on the ground on foldable fabric chairs along the stream. A group of brown bears in the distance observes us for an hour. Only then, they approach the stream and begin to feed on the salmon. Suddenly, a curious teenage bear walks toward us, approaching closer and closer without stopping. Silence ensues, anxiety increases, everyone evaluates the next sequence of events. As our guide stands up showing his presence, the teenage bear stands up on his back feet. What an impressive view, especially so very close to our sitting position. After satisfying his curiosity, he rejoins his mother and other bears in the stream. The silence is broken by our nervous laughter and excited conversations. We relax and spend hours watching the bears playing, catching and eating the salmon. After the bears satisfy their hunger by eating salmon flesh, they start eating only the salmon’s fatty skin and roe. Watching brown bears in the remote pristine wilderness of Katmai National Park, is an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience.