It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to come to Ketchikan. We had diverted to Prince Rupert originally to take the ferry across to Haida Gwaii, formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. We love Ketchikan, however, and the pull to come back was too strong.

The Anan (pronounced Ann-Ann) Bear Observatory has been on our bucket list since we were here on our own boat in 2004-5. At that time it was difficult to secure a permit for a private tour, and we were uncertain about the anchorage for the boat. We would have to leave it unattended with a dog aboard for most of a day. So we didn’t do it then.

The Ketchikan Visitor Center has two long rows of tour operators offering boat tours, flightseeing tours and many others. They cater mostly to the hordes of tourists off of the cruise ships. We found “Hiram” and told

Flightseeing Trip to Anan Bear Observatory

him of our desire to go to Anan. He said he would see what he could do.

He called us in the campground the next morning and said he had a flight that morning, but they would only drop us off and come back to pick us up at around six that evening. We would be on our own to find our way to the Bear Platform. We didn’t think that would be a good idea.

Within an hour Hiram had found us a real tour with a guide, but we had to be ready to go at 11 AM. We wolfed down a quick bowl of chowder and got to the pickup place on time along with another couple and our guide, AJ.

Michelle Masden has owned and operated Island Wings air service out of Ketchikan since 1993 and

she provided our transportation in her 50+ year old DeHavilland Beaver, Lady Esther. These are fine old airplanes, virtually indestructible if properly maintained, and highly prized by Alaska pilots. They are a tight fit for six people, however.

We flew from Ketchikan to Anan over Behm Canal, also known as Misty Fjords. See the map below. On the way Michelle spotted a whale and put the airplane into a tight circle so we could all see it. She and AJ kept up a running commentary about points of interest all during the flight.

We landed at the forest cabin (above right) at the trail head. See the inset map below, the point marked “cabin.” This cabin can be rented by folks interested in spending more time in Anan. The floating cabin (above left) is where the rangers live when on duty at Anan. It is floating because of the bears; they can’t easily get to the rangers. From the landing spot we hiked about 1-1/2 miles to the bear viewing platform. For the return trip Michelle picked us up inside the bay much closer to the platform, roughly at the point marked “trail.” Tides dictate landing and pickup spots for seaplanes.

The platform is about 10-12 feet above Anan Creek. The bears, black bears when we were there, but grizzlies as well, fish for salmon in the cascades directly below. It has a gate and a fence all around it so bears can’t just walk out onto the platform. However, the outhouse (See next page) is not fenced and people have been trapped in there with a bear camped outside eating his salmon.

Loading the airplane for the flight to Anan

Michelle, our pilot and the owner/operator of Island Wings air service.

Michelle’s airplane, a 50+ year old DeHavilland Beaver that carries six people including the pilot. She has named it Lady Esther.

Our guide, AJ, pulling the airplane to shore so we can unload. This was a beach landing; no dock. You can see the floating cabin where the rangers live behind the airplane.

Guide AJ and Donna at the beginning of the trail.

The bear viewing platform

BACK TO WEBSITE

NEXT PAGE

NEXT PAGE

BACK TO WEBSITE

NOTE: IF YOU ENTERED THIS PAGE FROM DAY64 OF THE TRIP LOG SECTION, CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THAT PAGE. IF YOU ENTERED FROM THE FIRST PAGE OF THE WEBSITE CLICK ON BACK TO WEBSITE ARROW ABOVE.