HIGHLIGHTS

Photograph Alaskan Brown Bears close-up as they feast on salmon and clams at Lake Clark National Park in 20 hours-a-day of good light.  Prepare to view and photograph while just yards away from these incredible animals! Travel with PhotoQuest Adventures to the greatest place to explore and photograph in a tidal and stream area where the brown bears chase salmon. You will be guided on an exceptional adventure and take daily boat rides and walks to capture heart stirring images of brown bears against the rugged Alaskan landscape. You will also see horned and tufted puffins, black-legged kittiwakes and murres, bald eagles, trumpeter swans, and harbor seals. Experience the bears in their natural habitat on the west side of the Cook Inlet without fighting the typical crowds that you won't have to fight the typical on Katmai's  Brooks River. Join us to move freely about while photographing bears in the company of our well-trained guide and Adam Jones' photographic expertise.

August 3: Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska

Welcome dinner and overnight in Anchorage. (D) Please book your room in Anchorage on your own. Adam Jones and Mirjam Evers will be staying at the WestMark Anchorage Hotel.

August 4: Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, Lake Clark National Park

After breakfast depart at 8:00 AM from the WestMark Anchorage Hotel. for our 9:00 AM chartered 1 hour flight to the Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. At Lake Clark, the landscape, wildlife and outdoor opportunities combine to offer photographers a true sense of Alaskan wilderness. Witness towering volcanic mountains that form the backdrop to tidal marshes, streams and pristine salt- water bays that comprise the coastline. You are taken to the lodge by ATV, shown your room/cabin, given a short orientation about moving around bears, followed by a photography presentation by Quest Leader Adam Jones. Late afternoon, we will go out on our first Quest to photograph bears chasing salmon.

August 5-8: Lake Clark National Park

Each day will include guided activities in the early morning and afternoon to photograph the bears against dramatic landscapes as well as other wildlife in the Lake Clark National Park area, including puffins and other birdlife. Sea Kayaking and Fishing are optional activities. All meals are included and we can arrange a selection of wine and beers to share during the stay. Enjoying some time around the campfire after dinner is a must! At night you may choose to stay up late to view and photographing the Aurora Borealis.

On one of the days we will take a boat trip to photograph puffins at a nearby
rookery. Adam will accompany you during all guided wildlife viewing activities, and will be available to offer camera tips, photographic advice and general assistance in both group and one-on-one sessions throughout the photography tour.

Each day we return to our lodge for lunch and some free time to download and edit images. We are back in the field for late afternoon and/or evening photo sessions. A great dinner awaits our return to the lodge.(B,L,D)

August 9: Return to Anchorage

Return to Anchorage by chartered flight around noon. Depart from Anchorage for home on a late afternoon or evening flight. Hotel is not included in Anchorage in case you need to book a hotel. (B)

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

We will be taking precautions to ensure everyone has a safe experience in Alaska and at our lodge. There are still unknowns, however, about the viral transmissible properties & “choke points” do exist where people will be in close proximity, such as flying in small planes, riding in the ATV carts, & in the dining room settings.

At this time, we will be requiring a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours, prior to arriving in Alaska. State guidelines might be more stringent so please check covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/ for clarification. Please bring a mask and hand sanitizer. Face coverings will be required in all indoor locations (except when actively eating or drinking).

WEATHER

Temps will usually be in the 50’s and 60’s, cool & coastal. Rain is likely so bring a raincoat & layered clothing. We do have limited laundry facilities @ the lodge. We have a hair-dryer to loan but cabins are not provided with them.

Tipping

Guests often ask about our gratuity policy. It is common for tips to be given directly to the guide(s) & a lump sum left for the kitchen & housekeeping staff. We suggest a range is $15-20 per person per guide per day. Please bring cash for any gratuities you wish to give.

Wifi

The Lodge provides intermittent internet access via Excede satellite service, for emails only. We are remote and although we have the maximum package that Exede allows it is rapidly depleted by downloads, uploads, automatic updates and/or video streaming. Once the bandwidth goes over, we are shut down for the following week, which has happened. We request that Internet be used for emails and light web surfing only.

Luggage/Flights

Please limit your baggage weight to 50 lbs per person. Exceptions can be made at times but may incur extra charges. The Cessna 206 carries about 950 pounds of passengers and gear & carries 4 with some gear. Some larger parties will arrive in 2 or more planes, and with mixed air services. Use soft luggage please. Flight time to the lodge is about one hour in these wheel planes.

Although flights to Anchorage FROM the Lodge usually arrive before noon, weather can always be a factor (about 10% of the time). We recommend you not schedule your departure from Anchorage to home earlier than 4pm on August 9, to minimize the chance of missing your flight.

Although fairly rare, weather delays can take place, either for an inbound or outbound trip. It’s usually only part of a day lost, as the weather clears and deteriorates rapidly, and we’ll be in constant communication with the pilots. If you need to spend an additional night in Anchorage on August 9, please book your own hotel room in Anchorage. We encourage everyone to purchase Trip Insurance!

Diet

If you have any health-related dietary concerns, please let me know.

Bar

There is no bar or liquor store at the lodge but you are welcome to bring your own beverages.

ARE BOOTS NECESSARY AT SILVER SALMON?

Boots are essential at Silver Salmon. Knee boots are adequate for most local activities & and we can borrow them from the Lodge. Please bring waterproof hiking shoes with you.

PHOTOGRAPHY

With the chance of rain, bringing protective rain covers for your equipment is important. Some people simply use a XL ziplock bag. Some photographers prefer hip boots or even chest waders to allow kneeling or sitting in wet conditions. Camera batteries can be charged 24 hours a day.

There will be other photographers in the field, and we ask all shooters to use common sense & courteous manners & follow instructions outlined by their guide.