We didnt win a place for McNeill River this year.
May 1st, 2010, 09:35 PM
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We didnt win a place for McNeill River this year.
Unfortunately we didnt win a place for McNeill River this year, so are now looking for a bear viewing trip out of Homer during the 1st week in August. We prefer a more wilderness type of trip, as opposed to Brooks River where there would be lots of tourists. I welcome any suggestions.
Many thanks to those of you who gave me such a lot of information on McNeill in Fodors last year. It was very much appreciated.
Many thanks to those of you who gave me such a lot of information on McNeill in Fodors last year. It was very much appreciated.
May 2nd, 2010, 07:57 AM
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Three good options are fly-in day trips, or for a longer trip staying at one of the Katmai or Lake Clark wilderness lodges, or doing a bear-boat trip, which costs roughly double what the fly-ins and lodges charge.
For a fly-in trip try Emerald Air or Bald Mountain in Homer, in early August they are going to wilderness areas like Moraine and Funnel creeks up high where the bears are chasing fresh-run sockeyes.
Silver Salmon Wilderness Lodge (Lake Clark) and Hallo Bay Bear Camp (Katmai) are typical lodges or semi-permanent camps organized around bear viewing. There are about a dozen like this in the 2 parks, plus some options on Kodiak.
The bear boats are generally considered the sure thing since they can move to different areas, but more expensive.
All of the best options could be booked solid already.
during the 1st week in August. We prefer a more wilderness type of trip, as opposed to Brooks River where there would be lots of tourists.
Actually there aren't many tourists at Brooks in early August because there are very few bears at that time. Early July and late August-early Sept are the two peak times for bears and people at Brooks.
There's a good small book "Bear Viewing in Alaska" by Stephen Stringham (who worked as a guide and is a biologist) that summarizes bear viewing options in 24 different areas of Alaska, I think it's about $10 on Amazon. Pretty useful for planning.
For a fly-in trip try Emerald Air or Bald Mountain in Homer, in early August they are going to wilderness areas like Moraine and Funnel creeks up high where the bears are chasing fresh-run sockeyes.
Silver Salmon Wilderness Lodge (Lake Clark) and Hallo Bay Bear Camp (Katmai) are typical lodges or semi-permanent camps organized around bear viewing. There are about a dozen like this in the 2 parks, plus some options on Kodiak.
The bear boats are generally considered the sure thing since they can move to different areas, but more expensive.
All of the best options could be booked solid already.
during the 1st week in August. We prefer a more wilderness type of trip, as opposed to Brooks River where there would be lots of tourists.
Actually there aren't many tourists at Brooks in early August because there are very few bears at that time. Early July and late August-early Sept are the two peak times for bears and people at Brooks.
There's a good small book "Bear Viewing in Alaska" by Stephen Stringham (who worked as a guide and is a biologist) that summarizes bear viewing options in 24 different areas of Alaska, I think it's about $10 on Amazon. Pretty useful for planning.
May 15th, 2010, 04:05 PM
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Good book recomendation, Bill!
Sorry about McNeil. I think I remember when you mentioned you were in the lottery. Maybe next time.
Hope you can have some nice bear viewing elsewhere. I've enjoyed time at Hallo Bay and as you get to August, wolf sightings go up. We saw 2 in mid-July with photo ops of one. That leaves from Homer.
Lake Clark is a beautiful area and early August should be a great time. I used Great Alaska Fish Camp & Safaris, but Silver Salmon may be even a better bet. There were 40+ bears visible (many at a distance) grazing on sedge grass on the meadow when I went in early July. Don't know how that works from Homer.
If you first flew to Kodiak, you could join John Rogers Katmai Coastal bear viewing trip by boat. I'm going back mid-July for a second visit. They spend time in Hallo Bay and surrounding areas, all depending on weather, seas, and the bears.
Good luck to you.
Sorry about McNeil. I think I remember when you mentioned you were in the lottery. Maybe next time.
Hope you can have some nice bear viewing elsewhere. I've enjoyed time at Hallo Bay and as you get to August, wolf sightings go up. We saw 2 in mid-July with photo ops of one. That leaves from Homer.
Lake Clark is a beautiful area and early August should be a great time. I used Great Alaska Fish Camp & Safaris, but Silver Salmon may be even a better bet. There were 40+ bears visible (many at a distance) grazing on sedge grass on the meadow when I went in early July. Don't know how that works from Homer.
If you first flew to Kodiak, you could join John Rogers Katmai Coastal bear viewing trip by boat. I'm going back mid-July for a second visit. They spend time in Hallo Bay and surrounding areas, all depending on weather, seas, and the bears.
Good luck to you.
May 16th, 2010, 09:17 PM
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Thanks atravelynn.
Yes I did post some questions on Fodors some time ago.Its the first time I have used the site and have found it so informative. Unfortunately, as we are from Australia, it is unlikely we will be travelling to Alaska again, so will not enter the McNeill draw next year. We are spending 4 weeks in Alaska and will be in Homer for a week in August. I have booked Bald Mountain Air for a one day bear viewing trip. It seems at that time of year they fly to Geographic Harbour. I did contact Emerald Air some time ago and received a lovely email back informing me that they were not doing the bear flights any more. Because we will be there for 4 weeks, we are able to take our time and are really looking forward to our holiday.
Yes I did post some questions on Fodors some time ago.Its the first time I have used the site and have found it so informative. Unfortunately, as we are from Australia, it is unlikely we will be travelling to Alaska again, so will not enter the McNeill draw next year. We are spending 4 weeks in Alaska and will be in Homer for a week in August. I have booked Bald Mountain Air for a one day bear viewing trip. It seems at that time of year they fly to Geographic Harbour. I did contact Emerald Air some time ago and received a lovely email back informing me that they were not doing the bear flights any more. Because we will be there for 4 weeks, we are able to take our time and are really looking forward to our holiday.
May 16th, 2010, 09:18 PM
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Thanks atravelynn.
Yes I did post some questions on Fodors some time ago.Its the first time I have used the site and have found it so informative. Unfortunately, as we are from Australia, it is unlikely we will be travelling to Alaska again, so will not enter the McNeill draw next year. We are spending 4 weeks in Alaska and will be in Homer for a week in August. I have booked Bald Mountain Air for a one day bear viewing trip. It seems at that time of year they fly to Geographic Harbour. I did contact Emerald Air some time ago and received a lovely email back informing me that they were not doing the bear flights any more. Because we will be there for 4 weeks, we are able to take our time and are really looking forward to our holiday.
Yes I did post some questions on Fodors some time ago.Its the first time I have used the site and have found it so informative. Unfortunately, as we are from Australia, it is unlikely we will be travelling to Alaska again, so will not enter the McNeill draw next year. We are spending 4 weeks in Alaska and will be in Homer for a week in August. I have booked Bald Mountain Air for a one day bear viewing trip. It seems at that time of year they fly to Geographic Harbour. I did contact Emerald Air some time ago and received a lovely email back informing me that they were not doing the bear flights any more. Because we will be there for 4 weeks, we are able to take our time and are really looking forward to our holiday.
