Many of the forest valleys around Knight Inlet, near the southern border of the Great Bear Rainforest, have been logged, but the AHTA RIVER VALLEY is one of four that have so far remained intact. This valley holds some of the forest's most profuse stands of ancient trees and vegetation, which shelter grizzly bears and other wildlife. In spring the river teems with Pacific salmon traveling upstream to spawn. The valley's abundant bird population includes such species as bald eagles and mew gulls, which feed on the salmon eggs.

Photo: Ian McAllister