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Thunderbird Falls About Thunderbird falls is a waterfall located in Eklutna, Alaska. It has an elevation of about 100 feet and flows into the Eklutna River. Due to its proximity to Anchorage, about a thirty-minute drive, it is a popular place for tourists and those living nearby. The waterfall is comingled with a 1.6-mile round trip hike to attract people, especially those with young children, to the falls and the Chugach State Park, where it resides. The path has two main routes with the final destination being the only difference. The easier first route ends at a viewing deck near the top of the falls, whereas the second one is harder to traverse, but will end closer to the bottom of the falls. During the summer, the water strongly flows and creates a mist around it; however, in the winter, it can freeze and turn almost completely into seemingly blue ice. Climate Since Thunderbird Falls is in Alaska, it has a subarctic climate, long freezing winters and short mild summers. On average, the falls sees about 79 inches of snow every year; this paired with the average low of 8.6℉ in January creates a cold snowy environment for the falls and its accompanying trail. During the summer, the average July high temperature is 67℉, which is a more comfortable temperature for outdoors activities. Animals The Eklutna River, the river the falls flows into, hosts a plethora of salmon, which attracts bears to this landscape. Black, brown, and grizzly bears all inhabit this area and can be commonly found throughout the hike and the neighboring state park. This can be potentially dangerous for those not accustom to proper techniques for preventing bear attacks, such as tourists, but most Alaskans and Alaskan schools already know or teach these techniques. The river is also home to otters and species of fish other than salmon. Another common sighting around the falls or on the trial are moose. Moose are normally quite docile unless they are with their young, which can lead to aggressiveness and possible attacking by these large animals. Along with the grounded animals, this area has a large variety of birds, most famously eagles and ravens. The large trees provide advantageous nesting areas next to the falls and river that host one of their primary foods, fish.