Activities in Kachemak Bay State Park
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Poot Peak Hiking Trail
This is a difficult, slick, rocky ascent of 2600ft Poot Peak. The trailhead begins at the Halibut Cove Lagoon, where a moderate 2.6-mile climb along the China Poot Lake Trail takes you to a campsite on the lake. From there, the trail to the peak diverges after the Wosnesenski River Trail junction.
For a little over a mile you'll clamber upward through thinning forest until you reach the Summit Spur, where the route climbs even more precipitously to the mountain's lower summit, 2100ft in elevation. From here, reaching the very top involves scaling a shifting wall of scree, a feat that should be attempted only by those with some rock-climbing experience. In wet weather, it …
reviewed
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Peterson Bay Field Station
Though technically just outside the park, this field station, operated by the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, provides an excellent introduction to the ecology and natural history of the area. In summer, staff members lead daylong educational tours of the coastal forest and waterfront tide pools; the best intertidal beasties are seen during extremely low, or 'minus,' tides. Inside the station, too, you can get up close and personal with a touch tank full of squishy sea creatures. You can combine a morning natural-history tour with an afternoon of guided paddling in Peterson and China Poot Bays. If you want to overnight here, the station has bunks and yurts.
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Glacier Lake Hiking Trail
The most popular hike in Kachemak Bay State Park is this 3½-mile, one-way trail that begins at the Glacier Spit trailhead, near the small Rusty Lagoon Campground. The level, easy-to-follow trek proceeds across the glacial outwash and ends at a lake with superb views of Grewingk Glacier. Camping on the lake is spectacular, and often the shoreline is littered with icebergs. At Mile 1.4 you can connect to the 6½-mile Grewingk Glacier Trail, with a hand-tram and access to the face of the glacier.
If you don't have time for the entire hike, there are excellent views less than a mile from the tram.
reviewed
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Emerald Lake Hiking Trail
This steep, difficult 6.4-mile trail begins at Grewingk Glacial Lake and leads to Portlock Plateau. You'll witness firsthand the reclamation of the wasted forest (due to spruce bark beetle damage) by brushy alder and birch, considered delicacies by local wildlife. At Mile 2.1, a spur trail leads to scenic Emerald Lake, and there are great views of the bay from the plateau. In spring, stream crossings can be challenging.
reviewed
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Grace Ridge Hiking Trail
This is a 7-mile trail that stretches from a campsite at Kayak Beach trailhead to deep inside Tutka Bay in the state park. Much of the hike runs above the tree line along the crest of Grace Ridge, where, needless to say, the views are stunning. There's also access from Sea Star Cove public-use cabin. You could hike the trail in a day, but it makes a great two-day trek with an overnight camp in the alpine.
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True North Kayak Adventures
True North Kayak Adventures, based on Yukon Island, runs half-day paddles amid the eagles overhead and otters for around. Once you've spent all that time crossing the bay, however, it makes more sense to spring for the full-day paddle. There are also several multiday options that cross Eldred Passage into Tutka Bay or Sadie Cove. For experienced kayakers, it rents rigid single/double kayaks.
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Paddling
You can spend three or four days paddling the many fjords of the park, departing from Homer and making overnight stops at Glacier Spit or Halibut Cove. Think twice before crossing Kachemak Bay from the Spit, however. Although it's only 3½ miles to the eastern shore, the currents and tides are strong and can cause serious problems for inexperienced paddlers.
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Alpine Ridge Hiking Trail
At the high point of the mile-long Saddle Trail, an offshoot of the Glacier Lake Trail, you'll reach the posted junction for this 2-mile climb to an alpine ridge above the glacier. The climb can be steep at times but manageable for most hikers with day packs. On a nice day, the views of the ice and Kachemak Bay are stunning.
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Lagoon Hiking Trail
The Lagoon Trail is considered a moderately difficult hike and involves fording Halibut Creek, which should be done at low tide. At the ranger station, more trails extend south to several lakes, as well as Poot Peak and the Wosnesenski River.
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St Augustine Charters
St Augustine Charters offers rentals from its Peterson Bay Kayak Center, as well as guided paddles. It does multiday excursions, too, involving paddling, trekking along state park trails, and camping at seaside sites.
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Seaside Adventures
A tiny family-run outfit, Seaside Adventures will show you the bay on kayak complete with running commentary about local flora and fauna, emphasis on fauna.
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Glacier Lake Kayaking & Hiking
Glacier Lake Kayaking & Hiking offers kayaking on Glacier Lake, inside Kachemak Bay State Park, combined with guided hikes.
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