2008 - July - Lake Clark National Park

We had the unique experience flying into a remote lake in Lake Clark National Park across The Cook Inlet one morning and spending the day walking around with "Brown Bears."  This was not the normal bear viewing trip in that few people make the trip and there's no sign of humans in the area and that we shared a "sedge flat" with feeding and roaming brown bears.  This sedge flat was composed of glacial silt with rich sedge grass.  Where there were grass roots the surface was relatively firm and easy walking.  On the bank towards the water we would sink into the muck if we didn't move fast enough.  We arrived and pulled the plane up on a bank.  A short time later the plane was high and dry as the tide went out.

We walked through a track that was 10" wide and out guide told us the bear was probably about 9' tall.  I'm glad we didn't see him.

After exploring the area and seeing several bears feeding on the rich grass we circled around and headed back towards the plane, saying "Hey Bear!" every so often to insure we didn't startle a bear.  Up ahead a bear popped her head up in response.  We stopped and watched her without crowding her so she didn't feel threatened.  She popped her head up a couple of times to check on us as she followed a stream bed and then her cub popped its head up with her.  This was an unexpected bonus.

When we got back to the plane the tide was still out and the plane was still out of the water.  We walked up to a rocky island so that we could sit while waiting for the tide to come in.

Our videographer patiently waiting for Charlie our guide to get the plane in the water.  And then Charlie showings us good form for walking through the glacial silt.

Out the window on the way back.

Charlie wanted his picture taken with Pat.

 And so did I.