Hi,

I have posted a similar question on the Canada forum as and I hope no-one minds a repeat here -

We have literally JUST started to consider a trip to Northern US this summer and I'm afraid I'm CLUELESS where to start.

We want to see as much wildlife as possible and are thinking POSSIBLY Yellowstone OR Denali OR somewhere else eg Brooks Falls, Knight Inlet (have just seen those places on a couple of tours). I am having truoble actually trying to find where the best bearviewing locations are AND locating them on a map.

We have been to Alaska before but only on a cruise which took in Vancouver (which we LOVED), Skagway (did Glacier Point Wilderness Safari - Awesome!), Juneau (did whale watching-missed Orca but saw Humpbacks and did Glacier Helicopter Landing) and Ketchikan. We missed seeing Bears as we went too late in the season (September). Our priorities are wildlife viewing - Bears and Wolves (if possible) and possibly?? seeing the Rockies. We don't really want to drive but will do a little if we absolutely have to (DH drives for a living at home) and are not into roughing it (eg camping) but don't need complete luxury either (although it is nice sometimes ).
I suppose what I'm asking is very broad BUT .... where should we aim to visit ie where are the best wildlife oportunities at that time of year? What am I missing and any suggestions for an itinerary? What about modes of transport?
One more thing, we're hoping that there will be 2.5 persons on this trip (if you get my meaning)- not sure if this will have an affect on our itinerary.

Thanks in advance for any advice - all help is MUCH appreciated as I realise we're VERY late planning this trip.

Imelda

I visited Yellowstone in a July, and I didn't see any bears or wolves, but plenty of buffalo, elk and moose -- but I think the best way to visit Yellowstone is by car; there may be tours, but I much prefer the freedom of having my own car.

As I mentioned in another post, I am visiting Brooks Falls this July, but only as a daytrip from Anchorage since the lodge is fully booked for July.

HI Michael,
Well, as you can see I'm still in 'researching'. I'm afraid we just cannot make up our minds between Bears and Namibia but we ARE edging a little bit towards the bears as it would seem to be an 'easier' trip (at first glance at least... but I bet it's not!!!). Can I ask what your itinersry in July is?? I am assuming you're driving?! Do you know if it would be too late to get 'permits' (I THINK permits are needed?!) for Brooks Falls and how far is it from Anchorage?

Re Yellowstone, I have found this: http://www.yellowstoneassociation.or...l.aspx?cid=214 - any thoughts??

One more thing, I posted you a question on the Africa board but I'm betting you didn't see it, would you mind taking a look at it here http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=4 . Hope you don't mind me asking but it would be a big factor in our decision.

AGAIN, a BIG thank you,
Imelda

You can't ever assume that you will see bears. I have been hiking and camping in the California Sierras, Canadian Rockies, Colorado Rockies and the Shenandoah and have never seen a bear. I've seen fresh scat and have awoken after sleeping under the stars to find that a bear had pillaged the campsite next to me during the night. I keep thinking that after all those trips hoping to see bears I will see one along Rt 64 going towards Staunton, VA.

Hi Birdie,
Wow, talk about close but no cigar! ... I know that nothing is guranteed but I'm trying to figure out where my best chance of seeing bears would be at that time of year (what I meant by 'easier trip' was in reference to trip planning, not wildlife viewing).

Imelda

If seeing bears is your priority, then Denali is your best bet. Although nothing is guaranteed, about 90% of the visitors to Denali see bears while on the bus ride. Earlier in the day is better, so reserve the bus as early as you can.

During my six trips to Shenandoah, I've seen bears on only one of them -- but that one had six separate sightings in forty hours! I've also seen bears in Yellowstone, Hell's Canyon, Acadia, Banff, Cabot Trail, and Porcupine Mountain.

Imelda, I will be in Alaska for 5 days, so I'm relying on flights, but I will be in Denali, Brooks Lodge and Kenia Fjords. My basic itinerary is:

Friday: arrive in Fairbanks
Saturday: pick up rental car and drive to Denali (2:00 shuttle reservation)
Sunday: 5:30 am shuttle reservation at Denali, then drive back to Fairbanks to fly to Anchorage
Monday: day trip by plane to Brooks Lodge
Tuesday: pick up rental car and early morning departure to Seward for 11:30 cruise of Kenai Fjords, and overnight in Seward
Wednesday: drive back to Anchorage, visit Anchorage, and late flight back to NY

It takes some effort and luck to see wild life, sometimes. Then on occasions you stumble over them, or they may trip over you...

We have been to Yellowstone a dozen or more times. Last year for example we did not see one single bear. The year before we saw 9 the same day in the Lamar Valley from Tower Junction to a few miles from where we camp. Its the same with the wolves that are in the Valley. Where ever you decide on going you are taking your chances.

In Alaska you might want to try Anan Creek for black bears and Katmai (Brooks Camp) for brown. http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/...arviewing.html.

In Yellowstone can sometimes find griz in Lamar Valley. Generally need a spotting scope to see them on the high slopes above the road. Lamar is good area for wolf watching (can usually find group of cars parked on the side of the road scoping for them. Bison & elk herds can also be found here. There is a black bear which has been hanging around Tower Falls area for several years. Just before you come to Tower Jct there is a pullout on left (columnar lava 50-60' high on right) There is a osprey nest on top of the hoodoos. Can see nest with naked eye but binoculars best for seeing the birds on the egss that time of year. Can usually find cars parked on the road between Mt Washburn and Canyon pulled over viewing griz, again through spotting scope. This area has also been good for wolves in past years. Canyon is great spot for looking for osprey nests on the distant hoodoos.

Glacier National Park in the Many Glacier area is usually good for griz. So good in fact the park service usually has a spotting scope set up nightly at the motor lodge at the end of the road. Mt Goats are almost guaranteed at Hidden Lake Overlook (trail begins behind Logan Pass visitor center) The Highline Trail (begins at Logan Pass-across road from visitor center) is 7.5 miles one way to Granite Park Chalet great wildflower trail and usually has mt goats on it. There are a couple of spots with exposure (there are rubber covered chains to hang on to) but is one of best trails in Glacier. They have a great shuttle service so you can do one way hikes and take shuttle back to you car if you wish.

Between Glacier and Yellowstone might consider a side trip to the National Bison Range near Moiese, Mt. Had six 3/4 curl bighorn sheep on a rock outcropping 20' in front of me. They also have a herd of bison. Mule deer are also fairly common.

Grand Tetons is good park for seeing moose, especially around Jackson Lake Lodge and Oxbow Bend.

In Rocky Mts National Park there is a herd of bighorn sheep which cross the road so frequently they have folks on either end of the area they cross at ready to stop traffic to let them across.

If you are planning on visiting several of the National Parks, monuments, BLM lands or Natl Forest Service lands would pay to get an America the Beautiful pass at your first stop. $80 for calendar year good for entrance fees for the car load.

WOW, FANTASTIC information - thanks so much!!!

Michael, that trip looks wonderful - hopefully we can come up with something as good!

Photodog - that's a BRILLIANT link - just what I needed. At least now I have an idea of where it all happens (ie the salmon runs) and what the best times of year are.

So much information, I am still digesting but I'm sure I'll be back with more questions once I've gotten more of a handle on it.

THANK YOU,

Imelda

You wouldn't see the Rockies, but there is great wildlife viewing in Northern Minnesota (Boundary Waters area), Isle Royal Island, and Northern Michigan.

You would see Moose and Timberwolves, in addition to all the "normal" stuff like deer, eagles, etc.

If you want more info, let us know. I get the sense that you are focusing on the Rockies at this point.

Hi Abe,
Timberwolves??!!! - Now you have my full attention!!! Are they like 'normal' wolves? What is the difference? Sorry for such 'basic' questions....
Re the rockies, actually, I think we have more or less knocked that part of the trip on the head (until I change my mind again ) as reports of sightings don't seem to be as good as other locations. We had started concentrating our research on Denali and surrounding areas such as Brooks (I know it's very late trying to get Brooks but we would go with a TO if possible) etc.

PLEASE PLEASE tell me more about Wolf viewing!!! Is it possible to se bears there also?

Thanks again,
Imelda

Abe,
I just searched Timberwolves - they are BEAUTIFUL!!!
What are the chances of seeing them in Minesota / Michigan? Best bets?

Sorry for so many questions but can't you tell I'm excited!

Imelda

Wolves are one of the most secretive of animals, and seeing them in the wild is EXTREMELY difficult. They will see, hear, and smell you long before you have any chance of seeing them; and their almost universal, immediate response is to run away as fast as possible. About the only reasonable chance to see a wolf is very early in the morning at Lamar Valley in Yellowstone; and even then only at great distance.

Hi Paul,
... was hoping it wasn't too good to be true ... oh well!

Thanks,
Imelda

Isle Royale would be your best chance for seeing wolves. There were a number of sightings last summer, including instances where the wolves were hanging around in the vicinity of people and camping areas, particularly near the Rock Harbor area. The rangers were concerned that there would be some sort of attack or confrontation between humans and wolves at some point, but I believe the summer passed without a major incident. The wolf population is fairly high compared to the moose population (their main food source), so there's a bit of concern that wolves may be looking to people for food (mainly stealing food, not necessarily attacking humans).

Your other choice for seeing bears is Bear Mountian State Park in New York and the more western suburbs of New Jersey. They're everywhere - I even nearly hit a young one on an exit ramp of Route 80 - in an area filled with office parks and malls.

I'm going to disagree with Paul. Minnesota actually has the highest concentration of Timber (Gray) Wolves in the nation, and gives you your best chance of seeing some.

To see them in the wild, your best chances would be around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, or by going to Isle Royale. Isle Royale is technically part of Michigan, but is tucked in Lake Superior near Minnesota.

http://www.isle.royale.national-park.com/info.htm

If you want the "sure thing", then you should go to the International Wolf Center near Ely. They are a wolf research and conservation foundation, and have many species of wolves living on their grounds.

http://www.wolf.org/wolves/index.asp

Yes, you could see Bears there too, but not gauranteed. But I can gaurantee that some bears would be watching you much of the time.

If you aren't into roughing it, I would recommend the Lutsen Area. We like staying at Caribou Highlands when we go in the summer. Many great hikes nearby.

http://www.caribouhighlands.com/

Glacier and its environs. black bear, grizzley (logan pass), mountain goats, rocky mtn big horns, deer. the numbers of animals seen was greater here and they were easy to see. (late summer)

in alaska at denali and environs grizzley (shuttle bus), moose, black bear (glacier day cruise), golden eagles, bald eagles, mountain sheep, fox (red), wolf prints only.(early june)

Hi,
I just wanted to say a VERY belated 'Thank You' to everyone for all your suggestions and advice.
We have decided to go with an 'easy' trip - Cruise from Seward to Vancouver with a landtrip (only 6 nights ) prior. We're looking at Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage with flying bear trips and then Seward. I'm in the throws of trying to figure it all out without too much backtracking.

Thanks again everyone, we might just make the wolves next time

Imelda