Eagle River Nature Center

Eagle River is located on the benches and mountains on both sides of this little valley, which has, you guessed it, the Eagle River running through it. The Nature Center has a network of fabulous trails to hike through the Chugach National Forest. On the day we went, some of the trails were closed because they went right along the river. The salmon were running, and that meant feast time for all the bears that call this area home. As we hiked our "safe" trail we noticed a bear sign. There is a universal bear danger sign here. It is neon orange with the shape of a bear in black on it. Then, they always list the details of the incident. In this case, just two days before, on our trail, a brown bear charged a hiker. At least it didn't say the hiker was attacked, or mauled. Just charged. Plus, between the two of us walking and talking, the girls babbling and squawking, and Max jingling we had zero chance of taking any bear by surprise. And, I like the think the stroller makes us look large and intimidating. So we continued, and didn't run into a single bear. I have since purchased bear spray, however, just in case.