AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

Anyone been to Brooks Falls this summer? We plan to be there July 10th (weather permitting). I'm wondering how crowded it will be this summer.

I've searched, but I haven't found recent posts. Any tips to help me plan our excursion? Camera settings, lens choices (I will take a 100-400mm and a 24-105mm), etc. I will appreciate any information you think will help make our day there a great experience.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Sign up for the guided river walk if its available. You'll get to really see the bears close up, better camera angle and much more exciting photos. Don’t be worried about being eaten, the bears are more interested in the Salmon.

The lenses you have are perfect. This was with a 24-105

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Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

The viewing platform is about 30ft from the falls which is about 100yds long. Its about a 2 mile walk from where the planes dock. Great choice on lens, on my D500 I shot in manuel with auto ISO.

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AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

What shutter speed/aperture combo did you use?

And, was there any place to rest on the way there?

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

Thank you! What settings did you use?

And, are there places to rest along the way?

Properframe Loc: US Virginia

No recent posts as the salmon are just starting up the Naknek River in large numbers on schedule. Will be normal crowds soon. The NPS will restrict crowding on the platforms with a name list that is timed. If you time out just get back on the list and go down to the Riffles platform. I have a platform shot from 7/13/19 and the salmon are so thick they are pushing themselves up out of the water around the bears paws. Every year is different though.
100-400 will work. The far side of the falls may be a stretch but the near lip will be in good range. The closer they are the more you shoot down though. The Sows with Cubs hang around the lower river and camp. They avoid the falls as the big males rule things and it is too dangerous for them. Not sure if you can get a river guide off a fly in but Bristol Adventures runs the lodges/outfitter there and would be the one to check with. Otherwise your guide would have to fly in with you.
Check explore.org and you can watch the cams as the 10th approaches.

The river is great. You need waders to do it right and get up river to the cut. I am camping for a week and will be leaving Brooks on the 10th. Glad to go after NPS closed the camp last year. Double download to get up close !

River Running in the Rain

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Properframe Loc: US Virginia

And, are there places to rest along the way?

At the lower river bridge you can rest. That is right at the beginning however. Then when you get to the Riffles where the platform walkway starts you can rest. Other than that they do not want you resting except standing in place. The path is gravelled and mostly shaded. Relatively flat. The walk should not be a problem.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Settings ? Only you can really know how to set your camera. If you can’t or won’t learn how to use it, then you should probably just set it on Auto and go from there. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but it’s true.
As for resting, there are no benches on the park trails. You can meet a bear on the trail at any time, as they will tell you in Bear School before the Rangers will let you in. It’s best to keep moving and talking to let the bears know you’re there. There’s a platform with benches at the end of the trail past the lower viewing platform ( the Riffles )and before you get to the falls. It’s best to go really early to the falls as it’s overcrowded and there’s usually a wait list overseen by a Park Ranger at that stop point.
This is the Bear that we met on the trail very early one morning.

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AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

Thanks for the info. Great photo!

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

Thank you!

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

I have been shooting for many years, and I do know how to control my settings; however, sometimes a tip from someone can be very helpful. You are correct. Your comment does sound harsh.

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

Thanks! I will definitely check out the guide and the live cams. I appreciate your help.

Properframe Loc: US Virginia

Salmon still running behind last years count. 50K vs 100K. But they get 4 million in the Naknek so that is basically a rounding error. By 4th of July it is usually several hundred thousand a day. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game count them in most of the spawning rivers. How I do not know. The tables show #s like 19,194 so it may be electronic monitoring for precision like that.

The bears are starting to gather in the last couple of days.
Today was pretty active with some Sows with yearlings, Sows w/spring cubs and a few males showing up.

https://explore.org/livecams/brown-bears/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls

AR Farm Gal Loc: Piggott, AR (NE AR)

Thank you! I checked out the live cams--pretty entertaining.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

You have to cross quarter mile bridge with places to rest , after that not untill you get to the plateforms. They have 2 platforms. The closest one to the falls, if theirs a crowd you'll have to wait in line. I took a long lens 150/600 as I wasn't aware of the new platform which is close to the falls. I shoot in manuel with auto WB, I try to keep the SS at 2000. I shot a lot of fast cont trying to catch bears at the falls with fish in mid air. It's a amazing place just have FUN.