A Season of Abundance
August and September are prime time berry picking months in Alaska. We recently took advantage of some time outdoors to gather a variety of berries for personal use.
Alaska Berry Picking
Berry picking in Alaska is a time-honored tradition, practiced by a variety of peoples. Historically, Alaska Natives made great use of the bountiful berry harvests each Summer and Fall. Today, these practices are carried on by Alaska Natives throughout Alaska. Berry picking is an activity available to any enthusiast looking to get outside and enjoy nature’s bounty.
Exploring Alaska’s Wild Berries
Throughout August and September, we engaged in two kinds of berry picking adventures: deliberate and passive.
During our deliberate berry picking trips, we specifically set out to find and harvest berries. Meanwhile, during our passive berry trips we set out for other purposes, but took advantage of the opportunity to harvest berries while outdoors.
Types of Berries
- There are dozens of edible berries in Alaska. The berries we harvested included:
- Huckleberries
- Watermelon Berries
- High Bush Blueberries
- Low Bush Blueberries
- High Bush Cranberries
- Rasberries
- Salmonberries
Here are some highlights from our trips.
Looking Forward to More Adventures
While the berry picking season was quick, we enjoyed the tranquility it brought. We look forward to using these harvested berries in recipes throughout the winter. If you enjoyed the article, please check out some other stories on DIY adventures in Alaska, here!