Image Courtesy of Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

SAFETY FIRST

Yes, there are bears and moose in Girdwood just like many areas in Alaska. But that should not discourage you from enjoying the outdoors; just do it with common sense. Some of the items experts recommend carrying when enjoying Alaska wilderness are bear spray, bells, small air horn, and an external music speaker. The majority of bears want to avoid people so if they can hear you coming, they will steer clear. Also, you need to be aware of your surroundings so internal earbuds are NOT recommended.   

You can get bear spray at any outdoor store and in the summer Costco sells it for a good price. Just learn how to use it before venturing on your trip. An air horn may sound a little bit weird, but people who work in the wilderness love it. The loud noise startles the bear and they will typically runoff. The speaker just lets them know you are around. Most bears and moose will try to avoid you, but they have to hear you coming. The most dangerous situation is if you encounter a mother Bear or Moose with her babies. Try and extricate yourself as quickly as possible without running! If you see a baby moose, without a doubt, the mother is nearby and you are a threat in her eyes.  Move away! That baby moose may be cute, but the mother is not. Best advice: DO NOT GET BETWEEN YOUNG ONES AND MOTHERS!

Black Bears

As of 2019, an estimated 250 black bears live in the Anchorage area (between the Knik River and Portage), including Chugach State Park. Approximately one-third of these bears spend at least part of the summer in or adjacent to residential areas in the Anchorage Bowl, Eagle River/Chugiak, or Girdwood. Black bears prefer forested habitat, including steam corridors. In 1987, Black bear hunting was eliminated in the Eagle River Valley, in the Anchorage Bowl, and in adjacent portions of Chugach State Park.  Unfortunately, Black bears can easily become attracted to human food sources such as trash, pet food, and birdseed, making them potentially dangerous to humans and their pets or livestock.  Most residents have bear-proof garbage cans and you’ll also find bear-proof cans in parks and public meeting spaces. 

Brown Bears 

There are significantly fewer brown bears in the Anchorage/Girdwood area than black bears.  Approximately 60 brown bears live in the Anchorage area/Chugach Mountains. However, according to Fish and Wildlife, only 4-5 actually roam in residential areas of Eagle River, Girdwood, and Anchorage. In 1973, Brown bear hunting was prohibited in Chugach State Park and the Anchorage Bowl. Specifically, in Girdwood, brown bears roam the local trails and it’s not uncommon to see bear scant or paw prints. The Lower Iditarod, while awesome for biking, running, and walking, typically has signs of bear activity because of the confluence of California and Glacier creek. Salmon spawning occurs in the waters which draw the bears to the location. Most brown bears avoid humans and human environments, but can also learn to associate food opportunities (trash, fish offal, or small livestock) with people. They are also occasionally attracted to the Anchorage Bowl and surrounding area because of winter-killed moose, abundant moose calves in spring, and spawning salmon in streams. Because of their size and potential aggressiveness, brown bear use of residential areas presents a definite human safety risk.

Moose

The moose population in and around Anchorage has remained high since the 1970 with about 1,900 animals the Anchorage Bowl and surrounding communities. In Anchorage, moose are concentrated in area parks, greenways, and undeveloped open space, but may frequently visit the suburban neighborhoods. The Anchorage moose population is controlled primarily through starvation, vehicle collisions, some calf predation from bears and wolves, and limited hunts on the two military installations.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a great way to see these animals in their natural habitat in a safe environment.   Also, check out this KTUU video of a bear visiting Hotel Alyeska:  Bear trying to check-in  information about the hike or bike should go here