Myself, hanging with grizzlies at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, Alaska Peninsula, August 2002/Film - Photo by Bob Tourtelot.
September 24, 2026
The days are getting shorter, we are past the peak for fall colors and the end has come and gone for Denali’s season.
While early season has the buildup of training to gradually prepare one for the upcoming season; the end of the season in contrast is much like a cliff. One day you are working your tour shift and the next day (Friday 9-18) one is falling into the abyss of other possibilities.
Fall (not to mention winter) in south-central Alaska can be gloomy and bleak with day after day of cloudy weather and rain. There are times where I long for sunshine, warm weather and no (or very little) rain.
You know, the desert. Getting pounded by overbearing and unrelenting sunshine, warm temps and desert mountain bike riding sounds pretty damn good to me right now. Especially since Denali and Anchorage had previously been wrapped in the gloom and doom of clouds and rain.
About, six to seven months ago, I was planning to travel to the Lower 48 for mountain biking, hiking and photography. This trip was meant for me to get a feel for my new (March 2025) Trek Mountain bike that I have spent very little time on.
The idea was to possibly mountain bike in the different states that I was traveling and camping in.
There are no single track mountain bike trails in or near Denali, so one has to travel about 120 miles (one way) to do so with Ester Dome probably being the closest.
Beginning in late June, picking up extra shifts became more of a priority. Consequently, I haven’t mountain biked and my new Trek has spent far more time in storage than on any trail or road.
Increase in Gas Prices
Since that time, gas prices have risen significantly with even greater price increases predicted for the future. Diesel prices (which impact goods being transported) are already at $6.40 a gallon and are expected to rise further to possibly $7 a gallon.
In some Alaska bush communities, gas is in the high teens (Ambler) to over $26 a gallon (Shungnak).
Along the road system, it has been a waiting game to see how high those gas prices will rise: $5, $6, $7 bucks a gallon…….or more? Who knows?
I can only speculate and then calculate the potential costs of gasoline from $4 - $10 per gallon for an average of a 13,868 mile trip based on 20 MPG from my two most recent Lower 48 trips.
Of course this doesn’t include other costs such as food, restaurants, campground fees, periodic hotel stays, truck maintenance, etc.
Since then, I have been hemming and hawing in a complete cycle of definitive, indecision as to whether to go on a long road trip or not.
First, I booked separate flights to Victoria, BC and San Jose, California. But, there was still a chance I could drive down.
In preparation for such a possibility, I made reservations for the BC ferry from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy (now cancelled) which would allow me the maximum amount of flexibility to photograph on Vancouver Island.
Bear Viewing Guide Certification
The primary reason for my going to Campbell River on Vancouver Island is to complete my in person training and certification to be a Level 1, Bear Viewing Guide.
Ever since I first went to McNeil River in 1989 and experienced first hand not only the bears of McNeil but the guides who led us, I thought that this has to be the ultimate, killer job.
Taking small groups of people to hang with, view, photograph and help interpret individual grizzly behavior and body language would be an unsurpassed, interpretive and learning experience. Yet previously, I didn’t see an avenue to achieve that certification.
Then about three years ago, an Outside Magazine article caught my attention: You Can Be a Bear Guide, Too—If You Can Handle the Heat.
The Commercial Bear Viewing Association out of British Columbia offered courses in both bear safety and a certification process for Bear Viewing Guides.
The website itself contains a mountain’s worth of information on bears, including Best Practice Guidelines, a Bear Awareness and Safety Training Resource Manual, a Bear Viewing Guide Resource Manual, previous training videos and information on bear behavior/body language. It is quite literally, a One Stop Shop for comprehensive learning about bears.
While this certification isn’t necessary in my current work as a Wilderness Tour Guide in Denali, many of the elements from this certification could become part of my tour.
Without question, grizzlies are the Number 1 species that visitors wish to see in Denali. Being able to give an in-depth discussion on bear behavior, body language and the different types of encounters (including personal encounters) will only add to the tour.
Denali’s Wolves:
What about wolves?
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen a wolf in Denali in three years. While I did hear of a few, sporadic wolf sightings, there was nothing that seemed to indicate any kind of significant increase above the 1% viewing that NPS had previously stated for the past several years.
A 1% chance of seeing a wolf in Denali is essentially an almost, non-existent possibility. Until things significantly change in the state’s government and the management of wolves, grizzlies and other predators, this is unlikely to change.
America’s Public Lands:
With America’s public lands and environmental laws being subverted by the current administration, it would be naive to think that Denali’s operations, including concession operations couldn’t be impacted.
The reality is: is that nothing is sacred to this administration except the pursuit of extreme wealth and power. It seems to me that I remember reading about some dude in the wilderness (over two thousand years ago) who consistently rejected for 40 days and nights the worshipping of power, wealth and status.
Obviously, this “Down to Earth” and “Radical” message screamed from the wilderness has yet to sink in with much of America.
True wealth is good health, family and friends, universal health care, and an inclusive progressive environment whose goal is to lift everyone up and leave no one behind.
And furthermore, the creation of a holistic environment that extends to wilderness and wildlife as opposed to viewing them as expendable commodities that are routinely subjugated, dominated, killed and/or eradicated.
Tour Conclusion
My conclusion on public lands to my tour was overwhelmingly well received throughout the season. But, I did receive some push back from those who felt that there shouldn’t be any discussion of politics.
This tiny fraction of visitors who expressed themselves, seemed to be especially triggered where I stated that all “legal” foreign visitors should be warmly received and that none of them should be detained, delayed or hassled in any way.
That when American citizens visit other countries, that we too would want to be treated with decency, respect and in a courteous fashion. That it is a two way street in how we treat others and how we wish to be treated.
These values are a part of America’s Best Idea (National Parks) that includes the traditional values (honesty, integrity, decency, compassion, empathy, democracy, etc) that are embodied by our National Park System.
Politics was the tool that lead to the creation of National Parks and public lands and it is politics that will either protect them or undermine and destroy them.
Using politics in support of our National Parks and public lands and pointing out those who betray them such as Utah Senator Mike Lee (his unsuccessful proposal to sell off up to 3 million acres of public lands) is fundamental to protecting them.
See Senator Lee's most recent attack on the management plan for Bears Ears National Monument: Senator Lee Formally Begins Process to Fast-track the Destruction of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah – 9.17.26
Our public lands are a legacy that has been passed down from multiple generations until it has finally reached us. "We The People" get to decide whether this amazing legacy continues undiminished for future generations or whether we allow it to be undermined, degraded, parceled out and corrupted.
What is the one thing that any legal, American citizen can do? Register to vote and………..Vote.
Give voice to our National Parks, public lands and wildlife through your vote in support of them. From my point of view, any politician regardless of party, who betrays America’s Best Idea (our National Parks and Public Lands) is unsuitable for office and should be voted out of office or opposed.
Decisively Undecided…….Decided
While I don’t have crystal ball to predict the future, I think it is safe to say that it will be chaotic with increased prices for many goods and services. How bad this economic storm will become is anyone’s guess.
At this time, I do not know whether a Level 1 bear viewing guide certification would open doors to any work possibilities in the fall shoulder season. Hopefully, I will get a better idea as to work possibilities after my trip to Campbell River.
My current plan is to cancel the plans for a long road trip, move back into my studio condo in October and take two short trips in October, one of which will be to Campbell River.
I can’t say that I am happy with this decision but with the uncertainty and instability of the future it is perhaps the more practical and prudent decision.
Additionally, this will make it far easier for my absentee ballot to catch up with me. I am very much looking forward to voting for positive, traditional values, America’s public lands, wildlife, rational thought, common sense, decency, compassion, honesty, and integrity.
You know the America that we were working towards (no matter how slowly) as opposed to the corrupt, selfish and dysfunctional American government that many chose.
All the best.
Bill
PS.
On October 17th, I will be in San Jose, California to attend the second of two concerts of my favorite band (that little ole' band from Toronto, Ontario). Amazingly, this date coincides with the nationwide No Kings Demonstrations which I am hoping to attend and possibly photograph.
How appropriate would it be, if Rush were to play: A Farewell to Kings on No Kings Day???