We woke to a gloomy day this morning with sprinkles of rain, a true Alaskan morning. Some guests headed out on tours to bike around town and see all sides of Mitkof Island. Others headed across the channel to Kupreanof Island for beautiful hikes through the muskeg, a unique Alaskan bog. More options led folks on cultural tours with local Tlingit guides to learn more about the area’s history. As the day went on, the skies cleared. The sun was shining, making for a very hot afternoon for those exploring town on their own. We set sail out of the quaint town of Petersburg and came across a mom and calf pair repeatedly breaching. An amazing day was had by all!
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.