Activities in Southcentral Alaska
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Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking
Though the best and most impressive paddling in the region is within Kenai Fjords National Park, getting there requires a costly water-taxi. If you're looking to save money and don't mind foregoing the park's tidewater glaciers and more ample wildlife, kayaking right outside Seward in Resurrection Bay can still make for a stunning day on the water. Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking conducts guided trips.
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Mt Marathon Trail
According to (rather suspect) local legend, grocer Gus Borgan wagered around US$100 in 1909 that no-one could run Mt Marathon in an hour, and the race was on. Winner James Walters clocked in at 62 minutes, losing the bet but becoming a legend. The 3.1-mile suffer-fest quickly became a celebrated 4th of July event and today is Alaska's most famous footrace, pitting runners from all over the world against the 3022ft-high peak. In 1981 Bill Spencer set the record at 43 minutes, 23 seconds. Many runners take twice as long, and each year several end up with broken bones after tumbling during the hell-bent descent.
You can trek to the top several ways. At the end of Monroe St, …
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Iditarod National Historic Trail
Though the celebrated Iditarod Race to Nome currently departs from Anchorage, the legendary trail actually begins in Seward. In 1995 Mitch Seavey mushed from Seward along this well-worn path into Anchorage, where he continued with the regularly scheduled Iditarod; he finished 20th. At the foot of Ballaine Blvd, an unprepossessing sign and lonely dogsled mark Mile 0. Nearby, a paved bike path heads 2 miles north along the beach.
A far more interesting segment of the trail for hikers, however, can be reached by heading east 2 miles on Nash Rd, which intersects the Seward Hwy at Mile 3.2. From here you can follow the Iditarod National Historic Trail through woods and thick b…
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Harding Ice Field Trail
This strenuous and very popular 3.5-mile trail follows Exit Glacier up to Harding Ice Field, one of the largest in North America. The 936-sq-mile expanse remained undiscovered until the early 1900s, when a map-making team realized that eight coastal glaciers flowed from the same system. Today you can rediscover it via a steep, roughly cut and sometimes slippery ascent to 3500ft; for reasonably fit trekkers, that's a good three- or four-hour trip. Beware of bears; they're common here.
The trek is well worth it for those with the stamina, as it provides spectacular views of not only the ice field but of Exit Glacier and the valley below. The upper section of the route is sn…
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Bishop Creek Trail
- Homer, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This hike is a 7-mile waterfront trek from north of Homer back into town (you could do it in reverse, but you're likely to miss the turnoff to the highway). The views of Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains are superb, while the marine life that scurries along the sand at low tide is fascinating.
The trailhead is opposite Diamond Ridge Rd, 5 miles north along the Sterling Hwy. The trail begins by descending along Diamond Creek, then hits the beach. Check a tide book, and leave before low tide and return before high tide. High tides cover most of the sand, forcing you to scramble onto the base of the nearby cliffs. Within 4 miles you'll pass a sea-otter rookery a few hundr…
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Alaska River Rafters
Alaska River Rafters operates rafting and kayaking trips at Sheridan Glacier, on the Copper River and elsewhere in the area; they have guided half-day trips, ranging to multiday packages that include everything from hiking to flightseeing.
The Copper River flows for 287 miles, beginning at Copper Glacier near Slana in the Interior and ending in the Gulf of Alaska, east of Cordova. Most of the river is for experienced rafters, as rapids, glaciers and narrow canyons give it a white-water rating of Class II-III much of the way. The 20-mile stretch between Million Dollar Bridge and Flag Point, at Mile 27 of the Copper River Hwy, is considerably wider and slower. Below Flag P…
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Bonanza Mine Trail
Another excellent hike from Kennecott is the alpine Bonanza Mine Trail. It's a round-trip of almost 8 miles and a steep uphill walk all the way. Plan on three to five hours to hike up if the weather is good and half that time to return. The trail is actually a rough dirt road to the tree line and starts just north of town at a junction that makes a sharp 180-degree turn up the mountain.
Once above the tree line the view is stunning, and you can clearly see the mountain where the mine still sits. To reach the mine you have to trek up a rocky slope to the remaining bunkhouse, shafts and tram platform. Water is available at the top, but carry at least a quart (1 liter) if th…
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Resurrection River Trail
This 16-mile trail accesses a 72-mile trail system connecting Seward and Hope. This continuous trail is broken only by the Sterling Hwy and provides a wonderful wilderness adventure through a diversity of streams, rivers, lakes, wooded lowlands and alpine areas. It's difficult and expensive to maintain, so expect natural hassles like downed trees, boggy patches and washed-out sections, especially in spring. Resurrection River Cabin is 5½ miles from the trailhead.
The southern trailhead is at Mile 8 of Exit Glacier Rd. The northern trailhead joins the Russian Lakes Trail 5 miles from Cooper Lake or 16 miles from the Russian River Campground off the Sterling Hwy. The hike …
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Lost Lake Trail
This challenging 7-mile trail to an alpine lake is one of the most scenic hikes the Kenai Peninsula has to offer in midsummer. The trailhead is in Lost Lake subdivision, at Mile 5.3 of the Seward Hwy. After 3 miles you come to the summer trail that winds 1½ miles south to the Clemens Memorial Cabin. The final 2 miles are above the tree line, making the shores of Lost Lake a wondrous place to pitch a tent.
If you'd rather not return the same way, continue around the east side of Lost Lake to the Primrose Trail, an 8-mile alpine trek ending at Primrose Campground at Mile 17.2 of the Seward Hwy. Plan on seven to 10 hours for the round-trip to Lost Lake, and bring a camp sto…
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Kayak'Atak
Kayak'Atak rents kayaks and can help arrange transportation throughout the bay. It also offers various guided tours, some including a 'gourmet lunch.' Make reservations in advance.
There are some excellent kayaking opportunities in the Seldovia area. Just north, Eldred Passage and the three islands (Cohen, Yukon and Hesketh) that mark its entrance are prime spots for viewing otters, sea lions and seals, while the northern shore of Yukon Island features caves and tunnels that can be explored at high tide. Even closer are Sadie Cove and Tutka and Jakolof Bays, where you can paddle in protected water, amid interesting geological features and near numerous camping areas alon…
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Homestead Trail
- Homer, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This 6.7-mile trek from Rogers Loop Rd to the City Reservoir, just off Skyline Dr on Crossman Ridge Rd, is a 2½-mile walk to Rucksack Dr, which crosses Diamond Ridge Rd. Along the way you pass through open meadows with panoramic views of Kachemak Bay and Mt Iliamna and Mt Redoubt on the other side of Cook Inlet. The trek continues another 4.2 miles, following Rucksack Dr and Crossman Ridge Rd to the reservoir. Cars are banned from both dirt roads.
To reach the trail, head out of town on the Sterling Hwy and turn right on Rogers Loop Rd across from the Bay View Inn. The trailhead is a half-mile farther, on your right.
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Pioneer Ridge Hiking Trail
Pioneer Ridge Hiking Trail is a 5.7-mile route from Knik River Rd that climbs the main ridge extending southeast from Pioneer Peaks (6400ft). You'll climb through forest until you reach the alpine tundra at 3200ft. Once on the ridge, South Pioneer Peak is a mile to the northwest, North Pioneer Peak is 2 miles. Scaling either requires rock-climbing experience and equipment. To the southeast, the ridge leads toward Bold Peak, the Hunter Creek drainage and eventually Eklutna Lake.
To reach the trailhead, turn onto Knik River Rd, just before crossing the river on Old Glenn Hwy, and follow it for almost 4 miles.
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H20 Heli-Guides
To a certain set of unhinged individuals, Valdez is legendary not for its oil spill or its earthquake, but for being the place to strap on skis, slip from a helicopter and plunge into the snowy abyss. This is the Holy Land of extreme skiing.
H20 Heli-Guides has three-day heli-skiing packages - including lodging. Alas, the ski season lasts only from February to the end of April; after that, extremists will have to settle for H20's mellower summer offerings - for instance, spending a day with crampons and ice-axes, scaling a sheer blue-ice cliff on Worthington Glacier.
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Winner Creek Gorge Hike
Winner Creek Gorge Hike is an easy and pleasant hike that winds 5½ miles through lush (and sometimes muddy) forest, ending in the gorge itself, where Winner Creek becomes a series of small cascades. You can also connect to the National Historic Iditarod Trail for a 7.7-mile loop. Either way, you'll cross the gorge on an ultrafun hand-tram.
The most popular trailhead is near Arlberg Rd: walk along the bike path past the Alyeska Prince Hotel, toward the bottom of the tram. Look for the footpath heading into the forest.
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Root Glacier Trail
Beginning from Kennicott Glacier Lodge, the Root Glacier Trail is a 3-mile round-trip route past the mine ruins to the sparkling white-and-blue ice. Hike northwest of town and continue past an unmarked junction to Bonanza Mine, less than a quarter mile away. Along the way you cross Jumbo Creek; a plank upstream makes fording this creek easy in normal water conditions.
Another half mile further on campsites overlook the end of Root Glacier; nearby you'll find an outhouse and a storage bin (to keep bears out of your food).
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McRoberts Creek Valley Hiking Trail
The backcountry hike up the McRoberts Creek Valley Hiking Trail provides an easy approach to 6119ft Matanuska Peak. The trail reaches the tree line in 2½ miles and 3880ft Summit Ridge in 9 miles. The trek to Matanuska Peak is a serious 18-mile endeavor. To reach the trailhead, take Old Glenn Hwy from Palmer toward Butte and turn left onto Smith Rd at Mile 15.5.
Follow Smith Rd for 1.4 miles, until it curves into Harmony Ave. There is no parking at the South Fork trailhead, so leave the car at the bend in the road.
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Otterbahn Trail
The Otterbahn Trail was famously created by local high school students, who dubbed it the 'we-worked-hard-so-you-better-like-it trail.' The trailhead lies behind Susan B English School, off Winfred Ave. Lined with salmonberries and affording great views of Graduation Peak, it skirts the coastline most of the way and reaches Outside Beach in 1½ miles. Make sure you hike it at tides below 17ft, as the last stretch runs across a slough that is only passable (legally - property above 17ft is private) when the water is out.
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Lazy Mountain Hiking Trail
The best hike near Palmer is the berry-lined climb to the top of 3720ft Lazy Mountain Hiking Trail. The 2½-mile trail is steep at times, but makes for a pleasant trek that ends in an` alpine setting with good views of Matanuska Valley farms. Take Old Glenn Hwy across the Matanuska River, turn left onto Clark-Wolverine Rd and then right onto Huntly Rd; follow it to the Equestrian Center parking lot and trailhead, marked 'Foot Trail.' Plan on three to five hours for the round-trip.
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Rainbow Tours
Whenever you're out in the bay there's a chance of spotting whales - sometimes you can even spot orca from the tip of the Spit. Rainbow Tours runs a dedicated whale-watching tour. The comfortable 65ft vessel, MV Rainbow Connection, leaves Homer at 09:00, cruises to Seldovia, and then spends six-plus hours seeking out humpbacks, orcas, minkes, finbacks and gray whales in Kachemak Bay and Kennedy Entrance. The price includes lunch. Be sure to bundle up and bring your binocs.
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Pangaea Adventures
Pangaea Adventures has received great reader recommendations for its guided tours, ranging from a three-hour trip on Duck Flats to a day trip to Columbia Glacier. It also does longer custom tours and rents kayaks.
Valdez is a kayaker's paradise, though folks sticking to the bay will be rewarded with views of seagulls fighting over cannery offal for the first hour or so. Independent kayakers should be aware of no-go zones around the pipeline terminal and moving tankers.
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Carl E Wynn Nature Center
- Homer, USA
- Activities › Hiking
Located on the bluffs above Homer, this is highly recommended for families and anyone interested in the area's ethnobotany. With a few short interpretive nature trails, one of them boardwalked and wheelchair accessible, this is a grand place to learn which plants can be used to heal a cut, condition your hair or munch for lunch. Naturalist-led hikes leave at 10:00 and 14:00 daily in summer. It also has a slate of lectures and other programs; call the center for a schedule.
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Crow Pass Trail Hike
The highly recommended Crow Pass Trail Hike is a short but beautiful alpine hike that features gold-mining relics, an alpine lake and often there are Dall sheep on the slopes above. It's 4 miles to Raven Glacier, the traditional turnaround point of the trail and 3 miles to a USFS cabin. Or you can continue on the three-day, 26-mile route along the Iditarod Trail to the Eagle River Nature Center. The trailhead is 5.8 miles north of Alyeska Hwy on Crow Creek Rd.
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Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
- Homer, USA
- Activities › Hiking
This nonprofit organization devoted to promoting appreciation of Kachemak Bay's ecosystem, runs the Carl E Wynn Nature Center and the Peterson Bay Field Station, both of which offer guided hikes and educational programs throughout the summer. Drop by to learn more about their offerings, and to get maps and info about Kachemak Bay State Park. It also operates the Yurt on the Spit, which does a daily 'Creatures of the Dock' tour.
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Valdez Heli-Ski Guides
Since extreme skiing exploded here a decade ago, numerous companies have cropped up to capitalize. Valdez Heli-Ski Guides offers a day of heli-skiing (usually six runs).
To a certain set of unhinged individuals, Valdez is legendary not for its oil spill or its earthquake, but for being the place to strap on skis, slip from a helicopter and plunge into the snowy abyss. This is the Holy Land of extreme skiing.
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Exit Glacier Guides
For those not satisfied with merely gazing up at Seward's backyard glacier, Exit Glacier Guides gives you the chance to tread upon it. Its five-hour ice-hiking trip gears you up with ice-axes and crampons, ascends part-way up the Harding Ice Field Trail and then heads out onto the glacier for crevasse exploration and interpretive glaciology. By the time you read this, Exit'll likely offer overnight treks as well.
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