What to expect
When you arrive at Pack Creek you will be greeted by a ranger at the South Spit. You will disembark your float plane or boat in a 8-12 inches of water, so rubber boots are recommended. After an orientation given by the ranger you will either walk to the Viewing Spit or to the Observation Tower. The ranger will provide advice on the likelihood of seeing bears at both of these areas, but you will be free to decide where you want to go. The ranger will also review all of the rules to be followed while visiting Pack Creek - these include no food in any area other than the South Pit, staying together as a group when traveling, staying on the designated travel routes only, never leaving gear or personal belongings unattended and following any other directions provided by the rangers.
Keep in mind that Pack Creek is part of the Kootznoowoo Wilderness. Wilderness visitors face inherent risks of adverse weather conditions, isolation, physical hazards and lack of rapid communications. Please take a few minutes to think about and understand these risks.
Click to enlarge Area map
The Bears
The Tongass National Forest is home to both black bears
(ursus americanus) and brown bears (ursos
arctos). However, Admiralty Island is inhabited
exclusively by brown bears.
 Brown bears (akin to "grizzlies" in the interior)
are easily distinguished by a large hump of muscle over
their shoulders, as well as a dish-shaped face.
Color is not a reliable way to determine species, as
bears come in countless shades of brown, blonde, black
and even cinnamon.
A typical bear's year begins in the
spring when it emerges from hibernation. Adult males
are the first to leave their den, sometimes as early
as March. Females with cubs spend the most time hibernating,
with some not leaving until May.
A History of Bear Viewing
Bear viewing at Pack Creek dates back to at least the
1930s, when the area became popular with visitors from
Juneau. In 1934 the Territorial Game Commission prohibited
bear hunting within 20 square miles around Pack Creek.
One year later, the Civilian Conservation Corps built
a trail and a small tree stand overlooking Pack Creek
(this stand was replaced with the current tower in 1990).
 The
Alaska Board of Game expanded the hunting closure in
1984 to include Swan Cove, Swan Island and Windfall
Harbor -- a total of about 95 square miles.
This is one of the few areas of Admiralty that is
closed to bear hunting; more than 95% of the island
remains open.
The 60,800-acre Stan Price State Wildlife Sanctuary
was created in 1990, and includes the Pack Creek drainage
and the mud flats at the mouth of Pack Creek.
The Nature of Pack Creek
From its headwaters 4000 feet above sea level, Pack
Creek descends rapidly to the salt water of upper Seymour
Canal. Sediment picked up by the creek is deposited
at its mouth, creating a 400-acre mud flat. These flats
are an important source of food for many animals, including
bears, which feed on clams, shellfish and other creatures.
Of course, the main reason bears are drawn to Pack
Creek is salmon. Pack Creek supports healthy runs of
pink and chum salmon, which return to spawn in their
natal stream. Peak bear viewing usually follows the
return of salmon to Pack Creek, usually the first week
on July.
 The
Pack Creek ecosystem is home to more than just brown
bears; Admiralty
Island contains the highest concentration of bald eagles
in the world, and Sitka black-tail deer thrive in the
rich sedge meadows and in the old-growth forest. Mink,
marten, and otter are common along the islands shores,
as are nearly countless varieties of birds.
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