Haines, Alaska – After exploring Wrangell Island by e-bike last week, I decided to undertake another bicycle outing. This time, I had the great fortune to rent a Salsa Journeyer gravel bike (true love!) from Sockeye Cycle in Haines. My destination was Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site, which is 20 miles round-trip from Haines. This was a super scenic ride along the town harbor and then along a stunning glacial fjord.
Once in the recreational site, the road follows the Chilkoot River, where the salmon were running wild. Fly-fishers cast their lines in the rapids, and park rangers counted the fish swimming through the weir.
And finally, the namesake lake. Chilkoot Lake is a turquoise blue beauty, surrounded by mountain cliffs. Eagles perch in the Sitka spruce along the shore, keeping an eye out for their next dinner. The Ferebee Glacier is visible at the northern end.
Just when I thought this ride couldn’t be more perfect, as I was leaving the park I spotted a brown bear family! I was watching from the Lutec bridge, located where the river empties into the Lynn Canal. A sow and her four (!) cubs were strolling along the east bank of the river. They were heading in my direction, playing on the beach and trotting through the grass. When the bears got close, they briefly disappeared into the woods, and then reappeared on the bridge, clearly intending to cross to the other side of the river.
The group of spectators on the bridge slowly backed away from the oncoming bear family, giving them plenty of room to cross. Once they were safely above solid ground, they climbed off the bridge and continued along the west river bank, heading out toward the canal. The littlest Teddy is too cute!