Hiking and Bears, Again

 

 

I was told the trail wasn't really used much this time of the year so I was surprised by all of the tracks and just figured a group had gone in before me. 

Then I paid better attention to the tracks in the snow.  These weren't hikers.  It was about this time that I questioned my decision to not  bring the bear spray along with me. 

I hadn't planned on going all the way to the falls when I started my trip, but it was a pretty nice and peaceful walk and I had a few hours to spare. I hiked a little pass the trail, explored the area, and headed back to get a few more things done before the sunset. 

First Trip to the Park

Lake Contrashibuna

 

 

The lake has a large waterfall downstream that prevent the salmon and trout from migrating upstream to the lake so from what I understand the primary species are lake trout and artic char.  One local guide says it's the one place that he takes his guest to where they stop fishing, sit down and just take in the beauty of the clear lake surrounded by the mountain vistas.  

 

Views like this are pretty common hiking around the Park.  Supposedly in the spring and summer you can see Dall Sheep along the ridges, but it was hard to sport them in the snow. 

 

Mount Redoubt

This is one of two active volcanoes I have had the opportunity to fly by during my visit.  The last eruption was in 2009.  It had a major eruption in 1989 that ended up being the second most costly eruption in US history.