Becharof NWR, King Salmon, Alaska: Tundra, mountains, and still-smoldering volcanoes, part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," fill the senses as far as the eye can see at Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. Mt. Paulik volcano, seen here, is the most prominent feature of this refuge. Gas rocks, which constantly seep volcanic gasses, are found around the south shore of Becharof Lake, the second largest lake in Alaska. Becharof Refuge is home to thousands of huge Alaska brown bears, some standing as high as 9 feet tall and weighing as much as 1,000 pounds—one of the world’s largest concentrations of this magnificent animal. Caribou, moose, wolves, river otters, and wolverines are among the other mammals found here. Anglers will find Arctic char, northern pike, grayling, rainbow trout, and five species of salmon—red, pink, king, coho, and dog. Birds inhabiting this refuge include black oystercatchers, peregrine falcons, tufted and horned puffins, gyrfalcons, redpolls, yellow warblers, willow and rock ptarmigan, and hundreds of bald eagles. The offshore waters teem with sea lions, seals, sea otters, gray whales. Travel to this refuge is difficult, requiring chartered air travel, rugged hiking/camping gear, extra provisions, and warm, water-repellent (not down) clothing.
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