Kenai Peninsula Russian River

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007 We spent the night in Crow Creek Mine’s parking lot so when it opened at 9:00 am we were there! The mining town is an historic site and they have done a good job with the atmosphere The property has only changed hands three times since the early 1900’s when it started operation so the tools and buildings have been preserved. The flowers give it added charm. Crow Creek was a placer mine where gold nuggets were found in the dirt around the creek, rather than in ore. The current owners allow people to prospect now. We saw some serious dudes with metal detectors, hip waders and gas powered sluices!
We got back on the Seward Highway and headed toward Homer. We decided to stop at the Russian River Campground (US Forest Service) and planned to hike to the Russian River Falls. We hoped to see salmon jump up the falls and possibly a bear feeding on fish. This was something the Alaskan couple we met in Cordova had suggested.
This area is one of THE salmon fishing spots on the peninsula (and there are many). It’s the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers and there are supposed to be plenty of fish. We’re going to check out the fishing tomorrow. In the afternoon we hiked to the falls. It was about 2.5 miles and an easy hike; flat and wide with gravel. There are decks elevated above the falls so you can see the fish. They were jumping! There weren’t tons of fish, but a fair number. It was amazing to watch them jump and swim against the water. I Don’t know how they do it, but they make it. I couldn’t get a picture because you never know when one is going to pop up, but Frank got some good video. While we were there, we talked to a couple who told us they saw a sow brown bear with her cub yesterday around 4:00 pm. We decided to wait awhile and she if she showed up. Sure enough, around 4:40 the bear and her cub were spotted in the creek. From the deck we watched the sow swim and fish and then she and the cub ate the salmon. It was amazing. She was there about 15 minutes and then some young men got a little too close and she left. Frank got some great video and I got some good photos. That evening about 10:15 pm we saw the first real sunset since we’ve been in Alaska. God blessed us with a great day!

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Photos

Dinner Time for Mama Bear and Baby
Brown bear sow and cub have a salmon dinner at Russian River Falls. The photos were taken from a platform, at least 200 ft away and the light wasn't great and trees were in the way. We were just thrilled to see them.

View from the Seward Highway
Road from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula.

Crow Creek Mining Village
Blacksmith tools

Crow Creek Mining Village
Lost Soles

Russian River Falls
I had a difficult time with the lighting. But you get the idea. It's a stairstep falls, still it's amazing the fish can reach the top.

Junior Chows Down
The specks in the photo are bugs reflecting the light. The blond "collar" on this brown bear cub is an unusual marking.

Comments

[Harold]

FANTASTIC
Hey! I thought for sure you and Frank would trade in for the old school bus - but I know that y'all have quite attached to the "CT"! Keep sending your log and pictures; I'm ready to equip our Trooper, but Paula still doesn't like the cold weather. Take care and be safe Harold

[Kathie]

bear!
Great bear photo!