Bear Lake and the Salmon Run

Today is a beautiful day and we need to get out but are trying to stay local this week.  I remember Bear Lake is a shorter hike and we want to see if the Salmon are running at the overlooks.

We go to the viewing area by the Fish Hatchery.  Most of the viewing areas are right by the parking area but this one turns out to be a short walk through the woods and we didn't bring bear spray

 Viewing platform ahead

 The Sockeye Salmon aka Red are beginning to run here.  Some don't make it.  They turn red and the heads gray when they reach fresh water to spawn.  We hear they're not good eating once they change color in the freshwater.

 Before we pulled into the viewing area I had spotted a bridge in a clearing on the other side of the road by the Fish Hatchery.  We go to investigate and it turned out to be a portion of the old highway over the creek. 

 While talking to a couple fishing there for Dolly Varden, a huge Beaver swam by. 

 We continue on to the Bear Lake hike and find this posted.  We go to get the bear spray and there is none to be found.  

 We take our chances - it is only .6 mile to the Lake

 We come to a creek and wonder if we should continue.  We decide to go up to the next bend.

 Good thing because there's the Lake!  The Fish and Game people were working there.

 A line of Sockeye trying to go up the creek

 But they've been blocked by the Fish and Game as it is not a spawning creek.

 They are two and three deep in spots.

 A gull and magpie watch

 We head out not wanting to keep them from their work and as we get on the trail we hear them shout Bear!  Bear!  So we turn back to the beach.

One of the wardens has a rifle as they have been bothered by the Mother bear and cubs trying to get the Salmon. 

 We just missed the Mother Bear and cubs catching a fish.

 But Mom comes back out into the Lake

 After she went back to shore we waited several minutes and decided to head back, with me singing Amazing Grace.  We made it back without a confrontation.

 On the way back we stop at the Lily Pond for a couple of shots.

Great Day!