As our four-passenger plane prepared to land on a gravelly shoreline in Lake Clark National Park — one of the most remote parks in the United States, reachable only by plane or boat — my excitement grew. The scenic flight offered a stunning perspective of this vast corner of Southcentral Alaska, but everyone on board had the same thing on their minds: bears.
PHOTO: © JODYO. PHOTOS
Our trip was a Lake Clark National Park bear-viewing day excursion from Anchorage with Rust’s Flying Service — and we got what we came for. Our guide met us at the plane, and we headed to the shoreline to find coastal brown bears, often called grizzlies, digging for clams in the low tide. It didn’t take long to spot them: massive paws probing the sand, focused on the hunt. After a while, two of the bears ambled into a nearby pasture to rest. Once they moved on, we walked down the beach and found a young bear perched on an outcrop, returning our interest with equal curiosity. Over the day we likely saw a dozen bears, each absorbed in their own routines and largely indifferent to our presence. It was an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Beyond flightseeing, Anchorage offers numerous land- and water-based tours that open up Southcentral Alaska. A popular option is to ride the Alaska Railroad for a day trip north or south. Heading north, you can travel to the small town of Talkeetna and take a jetboat adventure; on a clear day you may even glimpse Denali, North America’s tallest peak, along the way.
For a true backcountry experience, disembark at the Spencer Glacier whistle-stop and join a guide for a nature walk, ice-climbing session, or rafting trip on a glacial river. When your outing ends, simply wait beside the tracks; the train will stop and pick you up again to return you to Anchorage.
Alternatively, travel south by train or car to the coastal town of Seward for a full day of exploration. From there, board a cruise into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. The boat will glide past tidewater glaciers and offers excellent chances to see whales, seals, puffins and other marine life.
Whether you choose to fly, ride the rails, or set out by water, Anchorage is an ideal gateway to the wild landscapes and wildlife of Southcentral Alaska.