“Enjoy the kiss of Haines!” That’s what a friend told me when she found out I was in the area. We knew we were surrounded by magic as soon as we looked out from the windows of National Geographic Sea Lion and saw the peaks of the Chilkat Range towering over the town. Following that first glimpse, we immersed ourselves in what the area had to offer. We enjoyed activities ranging from a rafting trip down the Klukwan River, a biking adventure to Chilkoot Lake, and flightseeing tours over the Chilkat Range, Lynn Canal, the Meade Glacier, and Glacier Bay.
9/4/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Kelp Bay and Hidden Falls
It was drizzling a bit as we made our way to the scenic anchorage at Kelp Bay. Through the drizzle, we were excited to see a sow brown bear with her two cubs fishing for salmon in the stream! It was a fantastic start to an amazing day. Our guests went on some beautiful hikes through the dense temperate rainforest, which had the fresh scent of rain and evergreens. One of the hikes led to a muskeg and a huge beaver pond. It was worth the effort to get there. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to a bay near Hidden Falls where there is a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery, the air buzzed with activity as brown bears, Steller sea lions, and birds feasted on the salmon schooling at the fish ladder. The massive bears of varying ages and sizes stood poised to strike at the wriggling fish. They snatch their prey in their powerful paws and jaws. This time of year, the bears are hyper focused on feeding, so they can replenish their reserves before their winters sleep. Our viewing of the bears was a thrilling reminder of nature’s raw and untamed beauty.