2019 SUMMER OFFERINGS
Guided trips available daily…
Grewingk Glacier Lake within Kachemak Bay State Park. This is a popular and stunning day hike. It is considered one of the easiest hikes in the park and the trail is well maintained. This hike is close to five miles and does require the agility to walk over a lot of rocks/boulders and go down a short steep decent on a muddy/slippery trail when wet.
This trail, hands down, is one of the most popular hikes in the Kachemak Bay State Park. You can’t beat the view of the glacier at the lake. For the first 1.5 miles, the trail meanders through mixed cottonwood and Sitka spruce. These cottonwoods are some of the largest in the park so take time to appreciate their enormous size. After 1.5 miles, the trail proceeds straight towards the lake on alluvial flats. Keep an eye out for small hawks and bald eagles hunting from treetops in this area. At 2.7 miles you pass the Saddle Trail junction. This trail will lead you over to Halibut Cove where you will most likely be picked up by your water taxi. The final stretch of trail heads through a heavy alder section before spitting you out on the lake shore for your spectacular views. Enjoy lunch on the beach, watching icebergs or exploring up the beach looking for wildlife (the occasional black bear has been spotted along the trail).
info from Alaska.org
This cost of this trip is approximately $80 per person for the water taxi across Kachemak Bay and a flat fee of $150. for the guide/naturalist (up to five people).
photo of Grewingk Glacier Lake
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Sadie Knob Trail is beautiful day hike within Kachemak Bay State Park. It is a full day hike that is considered moderate to difficult with at 2100′ elevation gain.
There are two different trails to reach the alpine area of Sadie Knob; from either the north or south trailheads. Each has campsites you can use as a base camp for hiking. You can hike from trailhead to trailhead and never go into the alpine if you choose. These are very well graded trails and offer leisurely hike if one wants to ‘smell the roses’ and do some bird watching or flower identification. The junction at the spur trail that takes you up Sadie Knob is a fantastic place to break for lunch. The log bridge and creek here are a perfect spot for a picnic. The more ambitious can then take the spur trail to the top for spectacular views and wildflower observation. At the end of the trail on a clear day you can see Mount Iliamna and Redoubt, the north coast of the park, Yukon Island, the Herring Islands and the mouth of Tutka Bay. The flowers above tree line here are abundant. Fleabane, lupine, chocolate lilies, fireweed, goldenrod, cow parsnip, salmonberries and blueberries are everywhere.
Distance: 4.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 2100 feetInfo from Alaska.org
This cost of this trip is approximately $80 per person for the water taxi across Kachemak Bay and a flat fee of $150. for the guide/naturalist (up to five people).
photo on Sadie Knob Trail
Grace Ridge Trail within Kachemak Bay State Park. This is personal favorite and definitely deserving of the name! It is strenuous and exquisite full day hike starting from sea level and ascending 1745 feet to the first know and 3145 feet to the summit.
There are two trailheads for Grace Ridge. One is at the northern end of Tutka Bay at Kayak Beach. The second is located in the southern end of the bay about two thirds of the way down on the north shore (This one is a longer and more expensive water taxi ride from Homer). Some folks never hike the entire length of the trail, but rather hike from Kayak beach to the summit of Grace ridge, and back to the beach. This is a worthy hike, but if you can hike from north to south completely along the ridgeline you won’t be disappointed with the views. On the north end of the trail there is one overlook above a rocky bluff that offers amazing views straight down into Sadie Cove. You can also see volcanoes across Cook Inlet from this point. Another highlight along the southern end of the trail are the views of the south end of the Harding Ice Field, and on clear days you can see the outer coast of the Kenai Peninsula. Just amazing. Camping is popular for hikers and kayakers on the north end at Kayak Beach where there is a nice beach and plenty of space. The real treat is the campsite at the south trailhead where things are a bit more secluded and quiet. Grace Ridge Trail Note: Snow can obscure the trail above tree line on this trail. It is best to stay on the spine of the ridge if completely thru hiking the trail. Keep an eye out for orange trail markers that will lead you back into the forest.
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 3184 feetInfo from Alaska.org
This cost of this trip is $80-85 per person for the water taxi across Kachemak Bay and a flat fee of $150. for the guide/naturalist (up to five people).
*There is an overnight option of camping at the base and including kayaking in magical Tutka Bay the next day. Call for details #(907)299-5366
You can also pick your own favorite hike within the park: we can develop a custom trip http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kbay/kbaytrs.htm
Tutka Bay at the base of Grace Ridge South trailhead
Tutka Bay Magic
