Page 43 - Breath of the Bear

A 1,000 pound brown bear stands at the top the wilderness of Katmai. In addition to Brooks Falls there are other,
of the falls with his massive mouth wide open more remote places in Katmai to view bears.
waiting for fish to jump into his jaws. Another One of the main attractions of Katmai today For an incredible day trip out of Homer, visitors
bear takes a more relaxed approach and sits are the bears, as people fly in from all over the should fly with one of the experienced bear
himself in the pooling waters at the base of world for a chance to see these exceptional viewing guides. Tour operators conduct day
the falls and lazily waits for fish to swim into animals. From June 1st through September and overnight trips into Katmai which will
him before smacking them with his giant paw. 18th, the National Forest Service operates a offer guests an unparalleled bear viewing
adventure.

For the adventurous soul, several operators
organize overnight trips to the grassland coast
of Katmai. Imagine being in a tent, surrounded
by an electric fence with bears roaming within
feet from where you are staying. Bears, cubs,
wolves and other wildlife can all be found
on the coast as this area offers a variety of
nutrient dense food. The guides with these
type of overnight tour operators are highly
trained and experienced and will make your
time in Katmai a memorable one.
There are many different ways to see bears
in Katmai. Whether you choose to fly into a
populated area for a day trip or decide to
spend the night on a remote Alaskan coast,
the personalized experience you have with
guides will make your Katmai trip come alive
with stories and tales to pass on through the
generations.
For a unique perspective on Katmai, one can
volunteer to work with the U.S. Forest Service
during “bear season.” Stacey Schmeidel has
spent time volunteering at Katmai National
Park and says, “Volunteering at Katmai has
Scott Stone also afforded me with extra time in the park
-- time to see the bears change from their
skinny, early-season bodies to their fuller mid-
season form, time to see newly emancipated
Some bears will dine and dash while others visitor center, ranger station, campground and
employ their best snorkeling techniques, auditorium with daily ranger-led programs and subadults gain confidence and develop their
looking for their high calorie meal under the hikes. Brooks Camp, located at Brooks River fishing styles, and time to see cubs lost and
found. In my “real life,” my job requires me
swirling water. No matter their fishing style, and the shore of Naknek Lake, has 60 camp
each of these bears are after the same prize slots nestled among the forest of mature to sit behind a desk for 40 hours a week. My
of sockeye salmon, and all of these unique balsam poplar and birch trees. Reservations Katmai position required me to be on my feet
tactics can be seen at Brooks Falls in Katmai can be made through www.recreation.gov for 40 hours a week, and to walk well over a
National Park, Alaska. beginning January 5th. mile every day. But the “work” was talking
with people about bears -- which is pretty
Home to the largest concentration of brown Unlike most national parks, Katmai can much the same thing I like to do for fun! It
bears in the world, Katmai National Park, only be accessed by air or boat. The park is was a reasonable trade-off - and has been an
located in southwest Alaska, was established over six million square miles and extremely incredible fit. Volunteering is a great way to
in 1918 to protect the region surrounding remote. There are three different bear viewing give back to the parks - and the people - that
contribute so much to our lives. You’ll learn
Mount Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand platforms in the park, all are very close to each
Smokes. A haven to bears, wolves, moose and other and located within 1.2 miles from Brooks a lot - and it’s a great way to be part of what
other wildlife, Katmai also boasts thousands Camp Visitor Center. Brooks Falls Wildlife Wallace Stegner called “America’s best idea.”
of years of human history as well. When you Viewing Platform is one of the most popular
There are lots of opportunities listed at
walk in Katmai you will be walking in the places and according to the National Forest www.volunteer.gov. Listings change often,
footsteps of people who crossed the land Service website, “In July and September,
bridge from northeast Asia and seasonally bears are everywhere at Brooks Camp. They so check the site regularly. High school and
followed the migration pattern of wildlife can be found walking trails, fishing in the college students should also look into the
as they hunted, fished, built shelter and river, and even napping on the beach.” Day Student Conservation Association (https://
established communities. From Russian fur trips to this area can be booked with multiple www.thesca.org/), a highly respected
organization dedicated to building the next
trappers to Native Alaskan Alutiq to European tour operators out of Anchorage, Kodiak, and
explorers, they all have made their mark on Homer. generation of conservation leaders.
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