Help with Alaska trip 2008
Jan 17th, 2007, 02:25 PM
#21
Join Date: Jul 2006
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I had to jump in when Farm123 asked about taking the Emerald Air trip to see the bears because it was so expensive. On my trip to Alaska summer 06, I decided that taking the three members of our family on the Emerald Air trip was too expensive. We had a wonderful time, stayed in Homer, Seward, Denali, Fairbanks, Valdez, and even stopped at the Forest Fair. But we all regret that we didn't spend the money to fly in to see the bears. Next time we are in Alaska, it will be our top priority.
Feb 4th, 2007, 07:55 AM
#22
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Farm 123,
I am biased since I am a wildlife and bear fan. (Bear fan takes on a new meaning today with the Super Bowl game.)
Yes, do the bear trip! Emerald Air has an excellent rep and the only reason I've not used them is they only do 1-day trips and I like to stay for several days with the bears. I've used Hallo Bay Wilderness Camp for my longer trips, but Hallo Bay does 1-day trips as well.
More convenient may be out of Anchorage to Brooks Falls, where the bears fish for salmon. Mid-July is best, but any time in July is fine. Not Aug. because no salmon run then. These specific times are unique to Brooks, not bear viewing in general. You can contact Brooks Falls (google Brooks Falls Lodge Katmai) directly to make arrangements. In July, 7 nights is the max camping and 3 nights is the max at the lodge. You can also fly in just for the day.
You can also fly to Lake Clark for the day out of Soldotna for good bear viewing during the summer. I've seen the most bears there in one panoramic view (about 40) but few bears have been as close as the other two places. I went with & stayed at a place called Bear Camp but the same people do day trips, I think. This place may not work well with the itinerary you mentioned.
You'll see some bears with luck in Denali or in Seward (I've seen black bear there, which are more common), but not like at the locations that are noted for bears.
I am biased since I am a wildlife and bear fan. (Bear fan takes on a new meaning today with the Super Bowl game.)
Yes, do the bear trip! Emerald Air has an excellent rep and the only reason I've not used them is they only do 1-day trips and I like to stay for several days with the bears. I've used Hallo Bay Wilderness Camp for my longer trips, but Hallo Bay does 1-day trips as well.
More convenient may be out of Anchorage to Brooks Falls, where the bears fish for salmon. Mid-July is best, but any time in July is fine. Not Aug. because no salmon run then. These specific times are unique to Brooks, not bear viewing in general. You can contact Brooks Falls (google Brooks Falls Lodge Katmai) directly to make arrangements. In July, 7 nights is the max camping and 3 nights is the max at the lodge. You can also fly in just for the day.
You can also fly to Lake Clark for the day out of Soldotna for good bear viewing during the summer. I've seen the most bears there in one panoramic view (about 40) but few bears have been as close as the other two places. I went with & stayed at a place called Bear Camp but the same people do day trips, I think. This place may not work well with the itinerary you mentioned.
You'll see some bears with luck in Denali or in Seward (I've seen black bear there, which are more common), but not like at the locations that are noted for bears.
