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Up Close with Alaska’s Wild Side





       THE STORY BEHIND ALASKA BEAR TRIPS


                                           literally  and  figuratively—of  the  Alaskan  wild.   the lodge provides prime access to some of
                                           Hired to help at a bear-viewing lodge during   the best bear viewing opportunities in Alaska.
                                           the slower summer fishing season, the couple   In case of inclement weather, guests will have
                                           fell in love with the experience. Over the years,   the  ability  to  stay  overnight  at  the  lodge  in
                                           they formed a friendship and partnership with   safety and comfort.
                                           Chris Branham, eventually taking the reins of a   Their level of care also provides peace of
                                           new business focused on intimate, fully guided   mind  during  bear  viewing.  One  memorable
                                           bear-viewing tours in Katmai National Park.  moment involved Curtis calmly defusing a
                                             Today, their flagship operation is a seamless   close bear  encounter involving an elderly
                                           blend  of  aviation  and  wildlife  expertise.  The   couple from another group. “Curtis kept them
                                           tours depart from  Anchorage in a custom-  calm, distracted the bear, and made sure they
                                           outfitted  Cessna  208  Caravan—billed  as  the   got back to their group safely,” Isaac says.
                                           world’s  fastest  floatplane,  with  upgraded   “That’s the kind of experience you can’t put a
                                           turboprop  engine,  amphibious  floats,  and   price on.”
        In  the  land  of  towering  peaks  and  wild   plush leather seating for nine. It’s not just   Their season runs July 1 through September
      rivers, where  nature  still  reigns  supreme,  few   transportation—it’s part of the experience.  15,  with  over  75  tours  each  year,  welcoming
      experiences compare to watching brown bears   A Guiding Hand              guests of all ages—from infants in carriers to
      in their natural habitat. At Alaska Bear Trips, this   Once  airborne,  the  90-minute  flight  leads   seasoned wildlife photographers.
      encounter  is  more  than  a  drop-off  at  Brooks   guests  to  Brooks  Falls,  famous  for  its  dense   Alaska  Bear  Trips  gives  guests  ample
      Falls—it’s a fully guided adventure steeped in   concentration of brown bears, especially during   time not only for bear watching at the famed
      history, hospitality, and awe.       peak  salmon  season.  But  what  sets  Alaska   viewing platforms but also for a “heritage tour”
        Co-owned  by  Isaac  Stern  and  Chris   Bear  Trips  apart  is  their  guided  approach.   to nearby Native ruins buried by the eruption
      Branham, Alaska Bear Trips is the continuation   “Most companies just drop you off,” says Isaac.   that  formed  the  Valley  of  Ten  Thousand
      of a legacy that reaches back generations.   “We stay with our guests the entire time. Our   Smokes. It’s history, ecology, and raw nature in
      Branham’s  family  helped  pioneer  wilderness   guide—Curtis, who’s been flying to Brooks for   one unforgettable outing.
      tourism  in  the  1950s,  founding  the  renowned   over  30  years—walks  with  them,  shares  the   While the bears are the stars, it is the human
      Rainy Pass Lodge and playing a role in the early   history,  native  ruins, watches  for wildlife,  and   touch that makes Alaska Bear Trips shine.
      development of Lake Hood’s floatplane base.   ensures they get the best views and photos.”   “We’re 100% customer-service based,” Isaac
      That spirit of Alaskan adventure lives on in the   Most tours last eight to ten hours and include   says. “We take care of folks from start to finish.
      bear viewing excursions offered today.  lunch, snacks, and drinks.        Whether it’s customizing a schedule or helping
        Answering an Ad                      Another feature that is unique to Alaska Bear   with other parts of their Alaska trip, we’re here
        “I  saw  an  ad  on  Craigslist,”  Isaac  laughs,   Trips  is  their  “weather  assurance”.  All  guests,   for them. Our biggest goal is to create a safe,
      recalling the unexpected beginning of his   including day trippers-enjoy full access to   unforgettable experience that lets people truly
      journey. He and his wife were traveling in the   the brand new Katmai Sky Lodge. Located on   connect with Alaska’s wilderness.”
      Lower  48  when  they  answered  the  call—  private property just minutes from Brooks Lake,   To book a tour visit: alaskabeartrips.com






































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