Page 57 - Travel Guide Fly Alaska Edition

unpaved road cross Kodiak Island. A While the office at 100 E Marine Way may Area is a popular destination for fishing,
drive in any direction provides quick remain closed this season due to Covid, strolling the beach and birding. During
transport into remote wildlands, where their site will give you everything you salmon runs, this is one place where you
introduced Sitka black-tailed deer are need to “Discover Kodiak.” might encounter bears. Anton Larsen
plentiful. The region boasts several sites Road passes green hillsides topped
recognized by the National Audubon Harbor seals, Steller sea lions, sea with rocky cliffs inhabited by some of
Society as important bird areas. While otters, porpoises and various whales are the 400 mountain goats that have been
the population of brown bears on the all common along the coast, including the introduced to Kodiak.
Kodiak Archipelago is estimated at highly endangered northern right whale.
approximately 3500, all but about 500 One dependable viewing area to see Whether this is your first or fiftieth
bears are located within the boundaries large resident population of Steller sea visit, no matter which way you travel
of the National Wildlife Refuge. Although lions is on Near Island at the St. Herman from Anchorage, north to Denali or
it’s possible to happen upon a Kodiak Boat Harbor (Dog Bay), a short drive from south to the Emerald Isle, you will be
brown while on a hike or visiting a salmon town. After crossing the bridge, follow the greeted by breathtaking scenery and
stream around the town of Kodiak, right fork in the road down to the harbor untamed wilderness. Each itinerary
that’s far from the most dependable or parking lot. A float anchored inside the put together by Travel Guide Fly/Drive
safest way to spot one. Viewing bears breakwater is a haulout area for the sea Alaska incorporates distinctive sites and
in specially designated areas is better lions. Also on Near Island, the Kodiak adventures unique to the area. Make
and safer for humans and bears alike, Fisheries Research Center’s 3,500-gallon memories for a lifetime that will keep
and you’ll likely see more bears in a aquarium showcases local species, you wanting to go back up to explore
single location than you would on your including crabs, fish and giant sea stars. Alaska. As their state motto says, “North
own. The Kodiak Refuge Visitor Center in Introduced plains Bison roam freely to the future” and we say “Come back to
downtown Kodiak at Mission and Center on the road near Fossil Beach. Close Alaska”!
Streets sells an Audubon hiking and to town, Buskin River State Recreation
birding map with information on many
wildlife viewing stops. Be sure to check
the Kodiak.org website for information
on what’s happening on the island.

Drive Alaska 279