August 14, 2006—It's one of Alaska's most famous rites of summer: Every year, millions of sockeye salmon swim upstream shortly before they die to mate in the waters where they were born.

But to reach their goal, the salmon have to beat incredible odds, leaping up steep falls and avoiding the paws and jaws of hungry predators.

Watch as brilliantly colored salmon brave bears and other hazards to make their final journey.