Alaska's Black Bear & Blueberries

Every year we look forward to a few key things here at Caribou Lodge Alaska that signal the seasons.

The bird migration is a refreshing sign of spring.

Cow moose move in closer around the lodge and use the open tundra as a nursery as they raise their calves, and that is a sure sign that summer has arrived.

But one of the biggest signs for us that summer is almost over is every August after the millions of blueberries ripen and instinctively the black bear know that it is time to pack on as many extra calories as they can before they head into the hills and begin hibernation. 

Black bear will spend more than 20 hours per day eating berries and only take brief naps between feedings just to make sure they get as fat as possible. It has been recorded that a black bear will consume up to 20 pounds (9 kg) of berries in one day.  

As completely wild animals black bear are never to be trusted or approached, which is why we never guide a hike without bear spray and a firearm for protection of our group. But as long as there are no young cubs around these bears just want to be left alone and also do a great job to leave us alone as they are just busy eating almost non-stop! 

A large boar black bear forages for berries just a few hundred yards from our hiking trail 

BLUEBERRIES OF SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA

It seems that as the guide I always have my eyes out for wildlife and my mind on the next creek crossing, or making sure everyone is having a great time. But in August and September there are countless times I will turn around to check on my group of hikers only to find that everyone is bent over with their hands in one of the millions of blueberry bushes. 

Caribou Lodge Alaska is surrounded by 3 types of blueberry species: The Bog Blueberry, Low Brush Blueberry, and the High Brush (or mountain) Blueberry.  

In addition to these crowd favorites our hiking trips also bring us through patches of Cloud berries, Crow berries, Watermelon berries and 3 different cranberry species. It's an incredible thing to walk through such beautiful tundra. 

Everyone knows that bears love berries, but so many birds, and small mammals also rely on this organic bounty. Wolves, River Otter, Martin, just to name a few have realized that the bear are onto something with how delicious and calorie packed the berries are. 

So if you are planning a summer trip to Alaska and have your heart set on picking your own berries (and don't want to be limited on how many you can pick, like in the national park) then make sure you plan a visit to Caribou Lodge in August or September. That is your best option for catching the berries while they are ripe.

Book your trip by reaching us by email info@cariboulodgealaska.com