Anan Creek from Wrangell

[lucky cal]

Last month, we had a fantastic time with Island Wings on a bear viewing tour out of Ketchikan to Traitors Cove. We fell in love with Alaska and are thinking of going again next year on a longer cruise that visits both Wrangell and Ketchikan. We would like to view bears at Anan Creek next time.

 

We already know that Island Wings would be a great option for Anan out of Ketchikan, but are wondering about tour operators who visit Anan from Wrangell? I understand Anan is a little closer to Wrangell so we'd consider both floatplane or boat tours.

 

Any recommendations?

[ShipsandDipper]

By the time we booked our cruise the tour operators had no availability. So we got a pass directly from the Park Service and booked a flight from Wrangell with a seaplane company. We'll see how it works out on Tuesday!

Edited August 23, 2015 by ShipsandDipper

[lucky cal]

By the time we booked our cruise the tour operators had no availability. So we got a pass directly from the Park Service and booked a flight from Wrangell with a seaplane company. We'll see how it works out on Tuesday!

 

Please come back and let us know!

[bottom-dragger]

wondering about tour operators who visit Anan from Wrangell? I understand Anan is a little closer to Wrangell so we'd consider both floatplane or boat tours.

 

 

two companies that i've worked with for many years

 

http://www.sunriseflights.com/ float plane

http://www.breakawayadventures.com/ boat

 

but how would you get to wrangell?

 

 

we got a pass directly from the Park Service

 

 

Forest Service not park service

Edited August 23, 2015 by bottom-dragger

[lucky cal]

two companies that i've worked with for many years

 

http://www.sunriseflights.com/ float plane

http://www.breakawayadventures.com/ boat

 

but how would you get to wrangell?

 

 

 

 

 

Forest Service not park service

 

 

We're looking at a couple of Oceania itineraries that include a day in Wrangell.

[bottom-dragger]

We're looking at a couple of Oceania itineraries that include a day in Wrangell.

 

k, wrangell annually drops in and out as a cruise port. I'd also find something to do out of town. Le Conte glacier is another option that makes Tracey Arm or Glacier bay melt in envy......

 

http://www.breakawayadventures.com/leconte.htm

Edited August 23, 2015 by bottom-dragger

[ShipsandDipper]

 

 

Forest Service not park service

 

Yeah, I was typing at the airport and couldn't remember which authority. Guessed wrong.

Edited August 23, 2015 by ShipsandDipper

[bottom-dragger]

Yeah, I was typing at the airport and couldn't remember which authority. Guessed wrong.

 

 

there's significant inter-agency rivalry

[donaldsc]

two companies that i've worked with for many years

 

http://www.sunriseflights.com/ float plane

http://www.breakawayadventures.com/ boat

 

but how would you get to wrangell?

 

 

 

 

 

Forest Service not park service

 

I have done 4 trips w Breakaway including 2 at Anan. They do a wonderful job. Highly recommended.

 

Check out my review on TripAdvisor. - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g31165-d1918447-Reviews-or30-Breakaway_Adventures_Day_Tours-Wrangell_Alaska.html#REVIEWS

 

DON

Edited August 24, 2015 by donaldsc

[frugaltravel]

k, wrangell annually drops in and out as a cruise port. I'd also find something to do out of town. Le Conte glacier is another option that makes Tracey Arm or Glacier bay melt in envy......

 

http://www.breakawayadventures.com/leconte.htm

 

Sorry, LeConte Glacier is no comparison to Glacier Bay National Park IMHO (and not in the way you meant it!).

Edited August 24, 2015 by frugaltravel

[donaldsc]

Sorry, LeConte Glacier is no comparison to Glacier Bay National Park IMHO (and not in the way you meant it!).

 

I totally agree. But you can get really up close and personal with the floating ice on a small boat which you can not do at Glacier Bay. A different but really neat experience.

 

DON

[frugaltravel]

I totally agree. But you can get really up close and personal with the floating ice on a small boat which you can not do at Glacier Bay. A different but really neat experience.

 

I totally agree with you. Actually, you can visit Glacier Bay NP in a smaller boat too (smaller than a cruise ship). The Glacier Bay day trip is way smaller than a cruise ship and other privately-chartered small boat options might be available, depending on dates, cost consideration, etc.

[donaldsc]

I totally agree with you. Actually, you can visit Glacier Bay NP in a smaller boat too (smaller than a cruise ship). The Glacier Bay day trip is way smaller than a cruise ship and other privately-chartered small boat options might be available, depending on dates, cost consideration, etc.

 

I have done that also. We did a week in AK on a 40 passenger catamaran. We got really up close and personal with several glaciers.

 

This is the boat - http://www.alaskandreamcruises.com/ships-deck-plans/alaskan-dream/

 

DON

[ShipsandDipper]

Reporting back as requested.

 

Our excursion to Anan went off perfectly. We got our own permits from the Forest Service and made arrangements for transport with Sunrise Aviation.

 

We walked from the dock to Wrangell Airport. 1.5 miles, some elevation but not a bad walk. There was quite a bit of fog but it started to lift and we were able to leave at 10 as planned. Got to Anan before 10:30. The forest service ranger met us on shore, took the permit and checked us off her list, gave us a quick orientation, and sent us down the trail so we could stay ahead of the ship's tours.

 

We had nearly 45 minutes at the observation point before the ship's tours and then some time there after they left. Several bear sightings during the time we were there, though slower than earlier in the season. (One encounter on the trail on the way back was pretty cool.) Back to shore for pickup at 2, and our pilot Dave was right on time. We were back at Wrangell Airport before 2:30 and walked back to Wrangell.

 

Edit to add: There are taxis in town so you don't actually have to walk (though there weren't any on the pier). We saw them while we were at the airport and Sunrise offered to call one for us.

Edited August 28, 2015 by ShipsandDipper

[lucky cal]

Reporting back as requested.

 

Our excursion to Anan went off perfectly. We got our own permits from the Forest Service and made arrangements for transport with Sunrise Aviation.

 

We walked from the dock to Wrangell Airport. 1.5 miles, some elevation but not a bad walk. There was quite a bit of fog but it started to lift and we were able to leave at 10 as planned. Got to Anan before 10:30. The forest service ranger met us on shore, took the permit and checked us off her list, gave us a quick orientation, and sent us down the trail so we could stay ahead of the ship's tours.

 

We had nearly 45 minutes at the observation point before the ship's tours and then some time there after they left. Several bear sightings during the time we were there, though slower than earlier in the season. (One encounter on the trail on the way back was pretty cool.) Back to shore for pickup at 2, and our pilot Dave was right on time. We were back at Wrangell Airport before 2:30 and walked back to Wrangell.

 

Edit to add: There are taxis in town so you don't actually have to walk (though there weren't any on the pier). We saw them while we were at the airport and Sunrise offered to call one for us.

 

Great report! Sounds like an excellent option once we know our dates. Thanks for reporting back and glad you had a good experience.