Given trip dates, which scenario potentially better for bear viewing?

[JosieRhodes]

Only thing sorta locked in at this point is Radiance SB leaving on July 4th, 2014 with stops in Juneau on 7/6/14 and Ketchikan on 7/9/14. Prior to the cruise will probably fly in to Anchorage a week early, approx. around June 27th, 2014 give or take day. Nothing locked in yet and pretty flexible. Also from Syracuse area, so debating whether to fly from here or drive to larger airports within 4-5 hrs. for better rates

 

 

Given time of the year for this trip, knowing wildlife/weather can be unpredictable even with planning, what is the likelihood of seeing at least some bears if do a bear viewing excursion? Not looking for anything overly precise, but in general, wondering if it is really too early to count on seeing ANY if go ahead with any of the below options.

 

Other thing debating is whether it is better to book during land portion of trip, due to more flexibility in terms of having more than one day at any given place, given weather delays, etc.

 

Prelim options considering… (Assuming tour availability)

 

During week of 6/27/14…..

 

Brooks Falls from Anchorage, staying overnight at lodge.

Wolverine Creek day trip from Soldotna

 

During cruise…

 

Pack Creek from Juneau on 7/6 in port 9am-9pm

Anan from Ketchikan on 7/9 9am-6pm

 

Brown/Black bears doesn’t matter that much to me and I know that some of these options involve boats vs. platforms/hikes, etc., but more concerned about flight time/bear viewing time ratio to maximize bear viewing, whether would be safer (not cancelled completely) to do pre-cruise as more flexibility to reschedule vs. whether significantly more likely to see bears in Pack Creek/Anan. Also, looking for any first hand recommendations on tour operators as seems like for every good review, some also have negative ones on tripadvisor, on these boards, etc. Fyi, given we only have a week pre-cruise, not sure want to go to Homer in order to go on fly in bear viewing trip… if other options available, given we might try to go to Denali, but again very early planning stage.

 

 

Ps. Also on a practical/REALLY curious note, was wondering whether they will take you over to shore while at Wolverine Creek if need to go to the bathroom (as was wondering how that works if a lot of people fishing, etc…)

 

Thanks in advance for any advice. At this point, trying to decide whether to focus on options pre cruise or bit the bullet and try to book something for Juneau or Ketchikan. And, have only budgeted to do this at one location as four of us and seems $$$$ so just trying to maximize the experience.

[Budget Queen]

Anan is peak. Have you verified the peak times at your other two fly in locations???? Overnights are significantly superior to day trips. With a week, I would look at a 3 day fly in IF peak salmon runs.

 

Otherwise you have close to 100% sighting chance of bears with a couple trips into Denali park. the cheapest of cheap bear viewing options for browns.

 

 

Otherwise, head up to Lake Eden, a lot of black bears hanging around there. Camp for a week, you'd see them. :)

[AKman2495]

If you're in Anchorage on June 27th, you can take a 1/2 day fly-in to see bears. They usually go to a lake that has a salmon stream feeding it. At that time, the fish are running and the bears are feeding. You should have no problem seeing bears.

 

There are several flight services that fly out of Anchorage. Here is just one example:

 

http://www.flyrusts.com/redoubt-bay-bear-viewing.html

[JosieRhodes]

Thanks. Yes leaning toward trying to book Anan as that is within peak timeframe for seeing bears, but a little worried that if cancelled due to weather, that would be a big bummer right at the end of the trip....

 

I am having trouble finding a lot of info for the very peak times for the other places...

 

ps. we are toying with renting an RV prior to cruise.... Denali, etc...

[JosieRhodes]

 

did find above

 

again, a little unsure given this is probably approx., and we are there at very end of June/beginning of July

[donaldsc]

Thanks. Yes leaning toward trying to book Anan as that is within peak timeframe for seeing bears, but a little worried that if cancelled due to weather, that would be a big bummer right at the end of the trip....

 

I am having trouble finding a lot of info for the very peak times for the other places...

 

ps. we are toying with renting an RV prior to cruise.... Denali, etc...

 

Do Anan really quickly if it not too late already. They only allot about 60 - 70 slots per day and not all of them can be reserved in advance.

 

We have done Anan twice. It was great.

 

DON

[JosieRhodes]

Thanks, I am trying to secure now, crossing my fingers

[donaldsc]

Thanks, I am trying to secure now, crossing my fingers

 

Did you get a spot?

 

DON

[JosieRhodes]

Yep, u are right that 2013 permits are pretty much all reserved, but we are actually going in July of 2014 (planning ahead:))so I did email some of the float plane operators in area, and going to make a reservation based on assumption that either in the fall 2013 or March 2014 lotteries hopefully will be able to secure permits. I was told that first lottery for 2014 permits is in the fall of this yr.