Anan Creek or Traitor's Cove

[beej210]

Hi all!

 

We're going to be in Ketchikan on August 5th.  Island Wings will only go to Traitor's Cove and says it's superior at that time to Anan Creek.  Carlin Air will only go to Anan Creek and says it's superior.  The difference in cost is about $500 for the 3 of us, so if all is equal we'll do Traitor's Cove, but obviously want the best experience.  

 

Anyone know what's best in the beginning of August?

[donaldsc]

Can't tell you what it is like at Anan in August and we have not been to Traitor's Cove but we have been to Anan out of Wrangell 3 times in July and it was great.  Going again this year w 2 grandkids.  One thing to consider is how long you will be at each site.  We did not do Anan off a cruise and we spent about 5 hours at Anan each time.

 

This site - http://www.alaska.org/things-to-do/bear-watching - appears to say that both locations are good around August 5.

 

DON

[LessWorkMoreTravel]

I'm going to Anan for the first time in July so I can't make a recommendation, but another factor to consider is that you have the *chance* to see brown bears at Anan but not Traitors.  

[mapleleaves]

Haven't been to either ..... I'm happy with my bear viewing at Denali .

But you might want to read up on both locations.  Both have black bears, but at Anan you may see brown.  Read about the trails and stairs involved if anyone has mobility issues.  Your travelling during peak for both locations.

From yrs of reading trip reports Anan certainly seems to be the superior location.  

 

The Forest Service provides info on Anan, but not Traitors Cove

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=79154&actid=62

 

Alaska Fish and Game only Anan

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=bearviewing.main

 

The town web site has detailed info on several locations:

https://www.experienceketchikan.com/bear-viewing-in-alaska.html#anan

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 22, 2019 by mapleleaves

[zelker]

Did both of these on the same cruise in 2017.  Anan was August 9th via boat from Wrangell and Traitor's was August 11th via float plane out of Ketchikan (Island Wings, Michelle rocks BTW!).  Neither disappointed. 

 

We saw a lot of blackies at Anan but only one brownie and then, only briefly on the trail cutting across in front of our group to walk down to the stream which was nowhere near the viewing platform.  I mention this because if you're leaning towards Anan thinking you'll see brownies, just know the chances are not in your favor to see them there so don't be disappointed if you get skunked.   However, you will definitely see blackies, including cubs, at both places and we thoroughly enjoyed watching them fishing and eating, and the cubs were SO cute!!  An extra bonus at both places was watching all the birds (including bald eagles) waiting to scoop up fish guts once the bears were finished dining.

 

You might also want to consider that at Anan you're walking through the forest on a narrow walkway which meanders back and forth through the forest, going up and down steps over big tree roots, etc. for about a half mile while at Traitor's they keep a van right by the dock where Michelle drops you off, the guide drives you about a mile up to the trail head, and it's maybe 1/4 mile on a wider and easier path to the overlook at the creek and right above the fish ladder.

 

Something else to consider is how comfortable you are flying in a small float plane. The flight out to Anan from Ketchikan is about 45 minutes while the flight to Traitor's is about 20 minutes. 

 

According to Carlin's website, you'll get about 1.25 hrs of actual bear viewing time at Anan (we were at the platform a bit longer because we went out there on a boat) while with Island Wings at Traitor's we were out at the overlook closer to 2 hours. 

 

And of course Traitor's is much closer which is why it's also less expensive.

 

Hope that helps!  Enjoy, whichever one you decide on.

[zelker]

20 hours ago, mapleleaves said:

Haven't been to either ..... I'm happy with my bear viewing at Denali .

But you might want to read up on both locations.  Both have black bears, but at Anan you may see brown.  Read about the trails and stairs involved if anyone has mobility issues.  Your travelling during peak for both locations.

From yrs of reading trip reports Anan certainly seems to be the superior location.  

 

The Forest Service provides info on Anan, but not Traitors Cove

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=79154&actid=62

 

Alaska Fish and Game only Anan

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=bearviewing.main

 

The town web site has detailed info on several locations:

https://www.experienceketchikan.com/bear-viewing-in-alaska.html#anan

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Forest Service actually DOES provide info on Traitor's Cove:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tongass/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=78901&actid=62