Ketchikan, AK - Rain Forest Sanctuary Walk, Totems, and Eagles
My first experience in Alaska did not disappoint. I spent 7 nights cruising northbound from Vancouver to Whittier on Holland America’s Noordam followed by 3 nights at Denali National Park. Here is what I did at one of the many stops along the way:
Most of Alaska’s bald eagle population is found in Southeast Alaska making Ketchikan one of the best places to see one. Even more so when you visit the Alaska Raptor Center. I took a short 3/4 of mile guided hike through the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. The 40-arce rainforest reserve, boasts extensive cultural heritage displays, as well as walking trails and boardwalks that bring you right up close to old growth trees and along Eagle Creek, where, during the spawning season, Bald Eagles, Black Bears, Otters and Seals feed on the Salmon heading up river.
Along the way I learned about the local plant and tree life and wildlife. Our first wildlife spotting was a raptor. He followed us around for a minute until we finally were able to get a good enough view of him.
As I approached Eagle Creek, another tour was on the wooden boardwalk very quietly watching something. It took just a few minutes to spot the black bear fishing in the water. Now this wasn’t a bear hanging over the edge of a waterfall catching the salmon that were swimming up stream that you are probably thinking of, but it was very cool.
The Alaska Raptor Center introduced our group to a bald eagle, hawk, and raptor. These birds have been found in the wild injured or were once pets and can no longer survive in the wild. They now live at the Raptor Center.
Our adventure ended with a visit to a totem artist and the generation before him. The day we visited they were having a totem raising ceremony that evening.
There are a number of other adventures to go on in Ketchikan:
Alaska Bear adventure by floatplane
Canoe Safari
Bering Sea Fisherman tour
Salmon or Halibut fishing
Misty Fjords cruise
