Becharof Wilderness

Just where the state begins to slim down into the Alaska Peninsula, Becharof Wilderness extends from the northeast shore of Becharof Lake south to the Pacific Ocean and makes up roughly one-third of the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. From brushy wetlands to snow-pressed alpine vegetation, Becharof provides habitat to many significant wildlife resources and offers many subsistence and recreational opportunities. When the salmon spawn in the lake, which is just outside the Wilderness boundary, brown bears travel to the area in great numbers. On the coast, Puale Bay provides haul-out beaches for thousands of Steller sea lions and other sea mammals. Multitudes of seabirds come and go along a coastline deeply cut by misty fjords — steep cliffs falling into narrow saltwater bays. Wolves, moose, and caribou are also commonly sighted, attracting wildlife observers and photographers. Hunters experience unusually high success rates with bears and caribou. Bear precautions are in order. Average summer temperatures range from the upper 40s Fahrenheit to the low 60s. Winter temperatures average well below freezing — ranging from 9 to 24 degrees in January — with 19.7 inches of precipitation falling annually.