Soldotna/SSCL/Talon Air

Question

Hello,

I have a few days in Soldotna before I head over to SSCL. I was thinking of booking a 1 day bear viewing flight tour with Talon Air. My question is: if I am spending 4 days at SSCL is it redundant to book a flight tour? It appears the bear flights are in the same vicinity of SSCL?? I certainly want to see as many bears as possible but not sure if I should invest in the flight tour in addition to SSCL.

Thank you in advance for any advice. This will be my 1st time in AK! Trip is end of June/July.

Answer

Visiting Soldotna and SSCL (Silver Salmon Creek Lodge) is an excellent way to see Alaskan wildlife, especially bears. Since your trip is at the end of June into July, you are right that this is prime bear viewing season. Here’s a detailed perspective on whether adding a Talon Air flight tour would be worthwhile:

SSCL provides multiple bear viewing opportunities as part of your stay. Typically, guests are taken to prime locations along the river or lake for spotting bears, salmon runs, and other wildlife. You can expect to see bears fishing, and the guides know the best vantage points for photography and safety.

A Talon Air flight tour in the Soldotna/Kenai area offers an aerial perspective of the region and additional bear viewing possibilities. However, there are several factors to consider:

Overlap: Many of the bears seen from the flight tour may be in the same general region as SSCL. You might spot some of the same bears or areas from above that you will visit on the ground.
Unique perspective: A flight tour gives a different vantage point, seeing the terrain, rivers, and possibly more bears in areas not easily accessible by lodge excursions. It’s especially good for photography and understanding the scale of the landscape.
Cost vs. experience: Flight tours are relatively expensive, and considering you already have 4 full days at SSCL, you may already have abundant bear viewing opportunities without the extra cost.
Weather dependency: Flight tours are subject to weather, while the lodge excursions often have more flexibility to adjust to local conditions.

Recommendation:

If your priority is maximizing bear sightings and photography from multiple perspectives, the flight can be a fun addition for a unique aerial view.
If your priority is to immerse yourself in Alaska, observe bears closely, and save money, you may find that the 4 days at SSCL alone provide plenty of viewing opportunities and variety.
Another option is to wait until you arrive in Soldotna and discuss with SSCL guides—they can advise if a flight tour would truly add value based on current bear activity.

In summary, while the flight tour offers a different perspective, it is somewhat redundant if you already have a multi-day stay at SSCL. Your decision depends on whether you want the aerial experience or prefer to focus on ground-based bear encounters and lodge activities.

Soldotna/SSCL/Talon Air

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