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BROOKS FALLS

PHOTOS AND STORY BY THERESA BIELAWSKI

Fast-forward to 2012/2013, when my job territory was expanded to
include Alaska. While planning my work schedule, I incorporated some
personal time to accomplish my life-long dream of seeing the bears of
Brooks Falls.

I had not been much of a traveler at that point in my life, but that July
trip would change everything. On the flight over, I found myself filled
with so many different emotions. Happiness, disbelief, and maybe even
a little bit of fear of the unknown filled my head. Landing on the waters
of Naknek Lake and seeing several bears in the distance was the start of
an excitement inside of me that has not diminished since. I must confess
I was a bit hesitant, partially due to the fact that I was traveling alone,
although I was always in the company of other visitors. Stepping off the
plane, every person was required to go directly into bear school. This
requirement still holds true today, whether it be your first visit or your
tenth visit. It is a necessity that gives you all the information you need to
stay safe in Katmai National Park, especially in the likely event that you
may encounter a resident grizzly bear closer than you would like.
Once done with bear school, which lasts about 20 minutes, our pilot
When I was four or five years old, my mom took me to see Disney’s King of escorted us up the 1.2-mile trail to the falls. The trek is an easy one with
the Grizzlies movie at a theater. The touching story about the life of a grizzly very little elevation change and is even wheelchair accessible. It is a nice
bear resonated deep within my heart and bears, especially grizzlies, became walk into nature, but you will justifiably find yourself looking around and
my favorite animal from that day forward. Throughout my life, I remember making noise to try to prevent a surprise encounter with a bear along
watching many television shows about bears and always dreamed of a trip to the way. July is typically the height of the salmon run at the falls and
Alaska, especially to see these great bears in their natural habitat. Visiting a you most likely will have to put your name on the waiting list to go to the
place called Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park was on the top of my bucket Upper platform when you get there. Do not fret about the delay; you can
list, but I never completely believed it would ever become a reality. wait at the Riffles platform, which is about 100 yards downstream from
the falls. This large platform accommodates many visitors and still has
a view of the falls. Many of the female sows with cubs, less-dominant
bears, and subadult bears spend time fishing near this platform. The
opportunity to observe and photograph bears from Riffles is sometimes
better than from the Upper platform.

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