Excursion Spasski river valley wildlife & bear search tour at Icy Strait Point

Chichagof Island Forests and Muskegs,  Alaskan fauna

Depart the pier for a drive into the wilds of Chichagof Island heading for the Spasski River valley in search of local wildlife. Listen to a local guide as your bus travels through the Tlingit village of Hoonah and out into coastal rainforest and muskegs. Keep an eye out for opportunities to see bald eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and Alaska coastal brown bears, which may be spotted along the road.

Spasski River Valley

The Spasski River valley is famous for having one of the highest densities of coastal brown bears in the world. On arrival at the river valley, disembark the bus and follow your guide down a gravel path and boardwalks across a muskeg to viewing platforms strategically positioned over the lower Spasski River. Learn about the delicate rainforest ecology that supports the island's massive bears and all the other commonly found local flora and fauna. This area provides excellent birdwatching opportunities, and the Spasski River is an active salmon stream where bears are commonly spotted throughout the summer. Enjoy the rugged wilderness before re-boarding the coach for the drive back to the pier.

Note

Please note:  This tour involves walking (800 yards/730 meters) and standing for approximately an hour. There are a few steps to negotiate when boarding and leaving the coach, and the terrain includes boardwalk and gravel. Guests are required to be minimum 8 years old of age in order to participate in this tour. Participants should dress warmly in layers of weather-appropriate clothing and wear comfortable water-resistant shoes. On rainy days it is advisable to bring weatherproof raingear. Bring a camera and binoculars. Wheelchairs are not allowed on this tour. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.