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Kachemak Bay State Park, Kenai Peninsula

Posted by drm (2007-06-06)

This state park is across Kachemak Bay from Homer, in Alaska, about 4 hours drive from Anchorage - south. I did a day kayaking trip with a group, and at the end, was dropped off by the boat for four nights of solo camping and backpacking. I had a bear cannister but no repellent. I saw one bear. In a couple of months when the salmon are spawning, there are many more. Apparently there are only black bears in this area.

This is a place in Alaska that has trails, but most were not maintained yet regarding clearing away of fallen trees. One trail had such dense trees, with no real way around, that I was turned back. My pants were shredded in the process and there was some damage to my gear. Many other trails had occasional trees that I dealt with with no problems. A few of the trails had already been serviced, and the trail crew came in on the day I left to do some more. A fair amount of the hiking is on flat gravel terrain. The forests are very dense and scrubby.

For those familiar with the area, my four campsites were at Grewingk Lake, Grewingk Glacier, Humpy Creek, and Glacier Spit trailhead. None of these are "prepared" campsites, though some had outhouses.

I had to cross Grewingk Creek on a hand-powered tram. Officially they do not encourage people to do this solo, but I had no great problem with it.

I had some rain, but not too much. Temps may have gotten into the 60's a few times and I often hiked in short sleeves.

Kachemak Bay State Park is hardly the deepest wilderness adventure one can find in Alaska, but I had a limited amount of time and money to get to more remote places this year. So by Alaskan standards, this was a fairly leisurely trip.

You can see the pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmyerson

Re: Kachemak Bay State Park, Kenai Peninsula

Posted by chubby fm (2007-06-06)

So Jealous!

Thanks for letting me(us) view your photos Dean, it was a great virtual tour.

Someday I will make it to Alaska.......

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