This was the day we have been so looking forward to; our bear watching trip at Brooks Lodge. We booked our flight way back in January. On this tour we flew out of Anchorage on a twin engine turbo plane on Katmailand Air. The flight was 90 minutes where we landed at Kulik Lodge and immediately boarded a float plane bound for Brooks Lodge. The lodge is located in the Katmai National Park. This park is totally remote There are no roads in or out; you come in and go out by either float plane or boat.
It is a sight to behold when you start descending into the park. The water is a clear blue/green and the mountains and forest look so serene.
One of the main attractions of Brooks Lodge is to view the grizzly bears fishing the Brooks River & Falls when the salmon start to run. To take part in this experience, you must take a 1-1/2 mile hike through the woods (watching all the while for bear) to a viewing platform. The platform is raised about 20 feet above the ground for a spectacular look at the bear. The park rangers limit the watch to an hour so everyone can have an opportunity to take their photos and gaze at this wildlife wonder. All the while on the platform, the bears are walking back and forth underneath you.
The park rangers are very serious about bear safety and you must follow the rules; for your well being as well as the bears'. They police the trails and walkways, but the bears have first priority. If there is a bear on the trail or near a foot bridge, they will close it off until it is safe to proceed.
Of course if a bear decides he wants to nap or just hang out, you could be waiting for quite a while.. and we did.
After witnessing these beautiful animals in their natural habitat, I have a greater respect for who they are.
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