For most of the summer, Brooks Falls is one of Alaska’s most sought-after wildlife experiences, often requiring visitors to wait hours for a brief chance to stand on the famous bear-viewing platform. Yet in one of nature’s great ironies, the exact moment these bears reach peak global fame during Fat Bear Week is precisely when Brooks becomes quiet again. Having worked here as a ranger more than two decades ago, I’ve watched this transformation firsthand — and why late September remains, in my opinion, the greatest time on Earth to experience Alaska’s brown bears.