This waterfall was at our droupoff point before we started down hill. We stopped at the Black Water pounds which are fresh water pounds that have a very high acid concentration, causing them to appear black. 
Our guide said he enjoyed the reflective nature of the water on a calm day. Our afternoon excursion was an “Evening Wildlife Expedition” which took as on a 45 minute catamaran cruise to the city of Haines. The one animal we did see most often was the Bald Eagle.We passed beautiful waterfalls that were flowing harder then in past years due to the heavy rains Alaska had been getting all summer long.
This excursion we had our hopes set high in seeing a brown bear (the smaller version of the grizzly bear) of two. Our buss driver/guide explained that this was prime season during the salmon run for bear to be teaching their cubs how to fish and fatting up for the winter. We stopped along the Lutka Inlet where the DNR had a fish gate (not calling it by its proper name) where there were many “signs” of bear. The shore line was littered with salmon that had been torn open, along with bear droppings all over the place which convinced everyone that we were in fact in bear country.
Every year the DNR count the number and type of salmon that return to this Inlet. I was told that the salmon population was very healthy. Our guided explained that the DNR employee has a boom box playing all the time while on duty, on the gate, not only for entertainment but mainly to help keep bears away. We continued on our way to the Chilkoot Lake State Park where we toured the forest then returned to the catamaran which took us back to the ship. Sadly, with no bear sittings. Spectacular scenery! Neat pictures! Lots of bald eagles! Looking for bear facts? Click here.Next Post ... Juneau
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