BEAR Essentials

Lower Russian Lake (Top Photo) and Russian River (Bottom Photo), Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
 (Photos by Doug)
  

During a recent adventure trek into the Kenai Peninsula’s mountains I again embraced the wild in wilderness.   A lengthy hike to near the source of the Russian River provided spectacular Alaska autumn back country scenery.  A picturesque Lower Russian Lake above a cascading waterfall led to a pristine glacier view beyond the lake.  Gathering wood for remote log cabin cooking and warmth from the lake in the top photo, and gathering the richest of Nature’s provisions (salmon) from the lower river in the bottom photo illustrate the common and cooperative pursuits of wilderness self-determination by man and beast.    -  Doug

ALASKA – Fishing The UNTAMED

Adventure Alaska Ltd

To Bear or Not to Bear

Three Alaska brown bear (grizzly) families made an appearance each late afternoon/early evening to feast until there remained no appetite.     (Photo by Doug)

Red (sockeye) salmon during final spawning phase.  Because the salmon’s energy is depleted from a non feeding migration pilgrimage and subsequent metamorphic change it is easy picking for the plundering brown bear.    (Photo by Doug)
 
The Kenai Peninsula is a mecca for spawning Alaska/Pacific salmon, resident brown bear, fishermen, and visitors.  While Alaska’s short summer season is alluring to the adventure enthusiast  mid September is especially enticing.  During my recent adventure excursion colorful displays of autumn gold (leaves), spawning red (salmon), and shimmering grizzled brown fur (bear) were visually captivating.   Seduced by this ensemble of stimulating colors I attempted to add to the charm by casting for silver (salmon).  However, the number of spawning red salmon was  incalculable, leaving little space in the search for silver (salmon) deposits.   The clear river’s sub-surface appeared as a major freeway cluttered by rush hour traffic painted in red that extended beyond the limit of my view.   Additionally, an accumulation of scores of salmon carcasses carpeted the river’s bottom, giving witness to a successful sacrificial return “home”.   The shallow river provided easy pickings for several ponderous grizzlies.  In the photo above one of the eight furry fanciers of high protein on the fin saw plenty of red that was as good as gold.     -  Doug

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Heaven's Gate Discovered

 Upper Kenai River Destination - Skilak Lake
 (Photo by Doug)

My previous blog, Floating the Highway to Heaven, suggested a grand adventure ending in glorious style.   The float trip began several miles upriver at Cooper Landing.  Wilderness habitat and wildlife welcomed our journey through smooth to rapid current ending at a wilderness lake shoreline.   Sections of the river were colored red by scores of sockeye salmon nearing a final spawning tribute.   Grizzly brown bear were seen along the shore observing the same colorful progression with a salivating interest.   Our shore lunch at serene Skilak Lake was a pristine setting for more than food (photo above).  My next blog will reveal my encounters with 3 families of brown bear on the same river a week later.    -  Doug

PURSUING THE UNTAMED, "Highway to Heaven"

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Floating the Highway to Heaven

Upper Kenai River  
(Photo by Doug)

 

While rafters for fishing and pleasure enjoy the upper Kenai River the extent of summer, by Labor Day the greater runs of salmon have ended. The river has few fishermen along its banks to distract from one of Alaska’s most scenic wilderness displays.  Wildlife using the river’s edge no longer retreat from human distraction and fall colors emerge as spectacular.  I will be floating this section of the Kenai River from Cooper Landing at Lake Kenai to Skilak Lake below the canyon on September 8.  My next blog will provide an account of the special occasion.    A silver-lining may result from our effort to catch coho (silver) salmon, the last of the salmon species to return to the river from Cook Inlet.    -  Doug

PURSUING THE UNTAMED, “Highway to Heaven” 

Adventure Alaska Ltd