Page 9 - Breath of the Bear

Traitor’s Cove and then released at several remote sites, Herring Cove
A popular bear-viewing area and a short thus ensuring a healthy and robust salmon Another lesser-known spot that rivals
20-minute flight from Ketchikan. After population for all to enjoy. Bears instinctively others in its serene rainforest walk on elevated
disembarking from the plane there is a short 10- know when the salmon are returning and platforms.
12 minute guided walk through the rainforest, arrive at Neets Creek ready for a meal as if
where local flora and fauna is pointed out. an internal dinner bell has been rung. At any There are many ways to view bears in Alaska,
At Margaret Creek there is a bear-viewing time dozens of bears can be seen feasting from just driving down the highway to hikes and
platform situated above a waterfall and a on the salmon behind the hatchery. Tours treks on forest trails. However, the safest way
unique fish ladder that helps the spawning are limited to this area and include a float would be to book a tour with a guided bear-
salmon, but also makes for an easy lunch for plane or boat tour. If arriving by floatplane, viewing company. In the excitement of seeing
the bears. The area is wide open and the short passengers will disembark and walk the these massive animals many tourists can
hike is one of the prettiest in the area. The site guided trail to the fish hatchery. There is an forget that bears are wild, unpredictable and
is maintained by USFS and permits are limited. observation area including a gazebo and can be dangerous if you don’t know what you
benches. If you arrive by boat, passengers are doing. From first-hand experience I count
Neets Bay will not disembark but will instead stay on my blessings for my Katmai guide who knew
It has been said that Ketchikan has some the boat and watch for bears along the exactly what to do in every situation. These
of the best bear viewing in Alaska. If that is shore line. guides make the tour enjoyable, memorable
the case then Neets is the epicenter. Located and most importantly, they make it safe so you
40 miles from downtown Ketchikan, this area Prince of Wales Island can come back to Alaska again and again.
can only be assessed by floatplane or boat. One of the lesser-known spots and not as
The bears gravitate to Neets Bay thanks in popular as some of the other bear-viewing
part to the fish hatchery, which produces sites, but is still a unique tour where visitors
summer and fall chum, fall coho and chinook disembark upon the shore and explore a
salmon. The eggs of the salmon are collected rain forested island with the chance to see
from the returning fish, raised in the hatchery bears.

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