Page 70 - Breath of the Bear

Wrangell to the Tongass National Forest. Upon
landing, groups are met by a U.S. Forest Service
representative who instructs everyone on the
rules, trail conditions, safety and bear activity.
The talk includes valuable instructions such
as, “Stay on the trail, don’t give up the trail to a
bear, and in order not to have bears associating
humans with food, there is absolutely no food
allowed on the trail.”

Guided tour operators then escort the group
on the 1/2 mile trail to the observatory. Until
it was recently revamped, the trail consisted
of wooden planks smaller than a sidewalk, as
well as natural terrain. There were also over 300
stairs from the Anan trailhead to the observatory
a boat or float plane and a permit, which are District Office. deck, which was completely replaced for
regulated by the U.S. Forest Service with only the 2022 season. The photo blind at the bear
60 permits given out per day from July 5th- “It’s very difficult to roll into Wrangell these observatory is also accessed through a stairway
August 25th. Most permits are allocated to days and expect to go to Anan,” said Eric Yancy that is the equivalent to three stories tall. Once
experienced tour operators such as Breakaway from Breakaway Adventures. “With the limited at the observatory, visitors will be enthralled at
Adventures, Alaska Charters and Adventures, number of permits, we start booking the seeing bears in their native and natural habitat
Alaska Vistas, and Alaska Peak and Seas, all previous November and within a few months fishing, eating and lounging only feet away,
located in Wrangell. The Anan Management we already have dates that are sold out.” offering priceless, once-in-a lifetime photo
Plan limits the amount of visitors during the opportunities.
salmon run out of respect for the bears, as Beside the issuing of permits, there are other
this is their main food source used to bulk up advantages to visiting Anan with an experienced These tour operators are based out of
before winter hibernation. There are a very guide. Tour operators out of Wrangell employ Wrangell and give tours to the Anan Wildlife
small number of permits set aside for individual local guides who are familiar with the area Observatory:
people, and those can be purchased through and are able to give their customers a rich and
www.recreation.gov beginning February 1st in-depth experience. Tours include guides, Breakaway Adventures
or through a weekly lottery from the Wrangell the permits, and an hour-long boat ride from Alaska Peak and Seas

Your next Alaskan adventure awaits

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