A few of years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Hyder,Alaska. The only way you can get to it is from entering from Stewart,British Columbia. There is not much there any more since mining in the area has somewhat disappeared.
It has however extreme beauty with the coastal mountains rising quickly from sea level.
There is an old mining road that leads out of Hyder and then back into Canada which leads up to the Salmon Glacier.
Not knowing what to expect I decided to take the drive. A few miles out of town I came across Fish Creek which was full of spawning chum and pink salmon. I noticed a Warden setting up a table with imformation regarding Grizzlies. I asked what he thought was a obvious question. Do bears show up here? He looked at me with a grin and said "once and a while".
As I stood on the banks of the creek I began to notice something across this narrow creek in the bushes. It was still somewhat early in the morning and the sun had not quite got over the mountains. What Iwas about to experience is something I will nerver forget.
As I stared at the bushes I began to realize not 25 ft away were the eyes of 600-700 lb Grizzlie. It walked out of the creek right by me with no concern at all ( why should he ) and began feeding on the fish. I have seen alot of black bears but this was the first time I had seen a grizzlie and that close.
To have one of these great creatures walk within spitting distance of one self puts into perspective just how small and powerless I am.
The warden explained to me that during the time when grizzlies feed on salmon they become tolerant of other grizzlies and people. To an extent.
I spent most of the day watching these bears feed. There was a sow with cubs there and paid no attention tothe growing number of visitors.
If there are people who enjoy watching wildlife like I do this is truley a great experience. The area is wild and beautiful with a rich history.
Hyder itself is on the southern tip of the pan handle. Check it out. You will not regret it.
Here is a link with pics. http://www.fishcreek.org/photographers/bobgay/index.shtml
It has however extreme beauty with the coastal mountains rising quickly from sea level.
There is an old mining road that leads out of Hyder and then back into Canada which leads up to the Salmon Glacier.
Not knowing what to expect I decided to take the drive. A few miles out of town I came across Fish Creek which was full of spawning chum and pink salmon. I noticed a Warden setting up a table with imformation regarding Grizzlies. I asked what he thought was a obvious question. Do bears show up here? He looked at me with a grin and said "once and a while".
As I stood on the banks of the creek I began to notice something across this narrow creek in the bushes. It was still somewhat early in the morning and the sun had not quite got over the mountains. What Iwas about to experience is something I will nerver forget.
As I stared at the bushes I began to realize not 25 ft away were the eyes of 600-700 lb Grizzlie. It walked out of the creek right by me with no concern at all ( why should he ) and began feeding on the fish. I have seen alot of black bears but this was the first time I had seen a grizzlie and that close.
To have one of these great creatures walk within spitting distance of one self puts into perspective just how small and powerless I am.
The warden explained to me that during the time when grizzlies feed on salmon they become tolerant of other grizzlies and people. To an extent.
I spent most of the day watching these bears feed. There was a sow with cubs there and paid no attention tothe growing number of visitors.
If there are people who enjoy watching wildlife like I do this is truley a great experience. The area is wild and beautiful with a rich history.
Hyder itself is on the southern tip of the pan handle. Check it out. You will not regret it.
Here is a link with pics. http://www.fishcreek.org/photographers/bobgay/index.shtml
