Outdoor activities in and around Kenai Fjords

Biking

There is a business in Seward that rents and fixes bikes, tandems and mountain bikes. Most of the trails in Seward are great for mountain bikes.

Bird Watching

The Sealife tour boats out of Seward visit many islands in the outer bay area where sea bird rookeries are found. Often there may be more than a dozen different species of sea birds nesting on the same pinnacle. A trip on one of these boats will provide close-up viewing of the nesting and roosting areas where these birds are found with a constant barrage of birds heading to sea or returning with food for their young.

The most popular sea bird in Alaska must be the puffin. Its colorful and clown-like appearance makes it one of the most sought after photos by residents and visitors alike. Hundreds of thousands of other sea birds also migrate to the coastal waters of the Kenai Peninsula to spend their summer in the many rookeries where they raise their young.

Bald Eagles are plentiful in the Seward area just look around. They are often flying around town along the waterfront, harbor area and where the Resurrection River drains into the bay. If you go on one of the Kenai Fjords tour boats, you can spot them in the trees along the rocky mountainsides or flying along the shoreline looking for lunch.

For a list of Alaskan birds and viewing index go to:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/chekbird/r7/alaska.htm

For pictures and general information on many Alaskan birds go to:
http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/FISH.GAME/notebook/notehome.htm

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier is the most accessible park area. A gravel road at mile 3.7 of the Seward Highway leads 9 miles to the Exit Glacier Ranger Station. The area offers exhibits on the glacier and Harding Icefield, interpretive programs, and hikes. Rangers provide information daily in the summer. An easy 1/2 mile walk will take you to the glacier's terminus: the first 1/4 mile is fully accessible. A steeper trail continues across moraines and bedrock. You may return to the ranger station by a nature trail. Exit Glacier descends 2,500 feet over its nearly 3 mile length. The 3 mile Harding Icefield trail, which follows the glacier's flank to an overlook of the icefield, is day-use only: overnight backpacking is prohibited.

Winter travel to Exit Glacier and the cabin is by cross-country ski, snowmobile, dogsled, or snowshoe. Scenic flights give views of the vast Harding Icefield. Landings can be arranged for day skiing or expeditions.

Passenger Service to Exit Glacier. One of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska. Drive time to the glacier, time spent at the glacier and drive back time from the glacier takes about two hours. If you would like a longer stay that can be arranged. We provide a comfortable ride and advantageous view. There is opportunity to take pictures on the way. No reservations required&.. $10.00 per person round trip. (4 person minimum)$3.00 entrance fee. Call 907-224-2746

Harding Ice Field

The three hundred square mile Harding Ice Field (named after president Warren Harding) entombs the Kenai mountains, and feeds some thirty active glaciers, which are currently receding. These rivers of ice move slowly down steep slopes crushing boulders to silt, and often calve spectacularly into the sea. The Harding Ice Field is one of four remaining ice fields in the United States; they are the last vestiges of the Pleistocene era when a massive continental ice sheet covered much of North America. The ice field reaches elevations of 6,000 feet entombing valleys and mountain tops. There is a four to five miles hike starting at Exit Glacier that leads to the Harding Ice Field. While on this hike I have seen marmots, goats and bear. The park service has labeled it as a difficult hike.

Hiking

The Kenai Peninsula has one of the most impressive trail systems in the country. Trails accessed from the Seward area are the crowning jewel of this system and offer hikers of varying skill levels the opportunity to explore this wild and beautiful country.

Many trails are in the nearby Chugach National Forest. Before you pack your trail mix and hit the trail head, visit Seward Ranger District office at 334 Fourth Avenue, or call (907) 224-3374 for maps.

Nearly all trails are closed to mechanized use in the summer. Mountain bikers are allowed on the trails but the Forest Service discourages their use on some trails.

Some trails lead to mountain lakes with good fishing. A few local stores carry regulations or contact the state Department of Fish and Game, at 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, or call (907) 267-2218.

Lost Lake/Primrose Trail - The trail extends 15 miles between trail heads in Lost Lake Subdivision at Mile 5 Seward Highway and Primrose Campground at Mile 17.

This scenic trail offers spectacular views of surrounding mountains and Resurrection Bay. The trail is steep and gain 1,820 feet of elevation quickly. Snow often remains at higher elevations as late as June.

Grayling Lake Trail - Mile 13.2 Seward Highway, the two-mile trail passes through spruce forests and open meadows, gradually rising 450 feet. You can reach three lakes from this trail.

Ptarmigan Creek Trail Mile 23 of the Seward Highway - this 7.5 mile (one-way) trail starts out hilly, but soon levels out, rishing only 450 feet in elevations. Ptarmigan Lake is at mile 3.5 and the trail continues four miles to the eastern edge of the lake.

The trail is suitable for day hikes, multi-day trips and back country camping. Fish for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout in Ptarmigan Creek and graying in Ptarmigan Lake.

Johnson Pass TrailThis easy 23-mile trail is accessible from either mile 32.5 or the Seward Highway, north of Moose Pass or mile 64 of the Seward Highway. An excellent trail for those seeking more privacy and spectacular scenery with few extreme elevation changes. The trail is excellent for mountain bikes in mid-to late summer.

Carter Lake Trail- Mile 34, Seward Highway-a good day hike, the 3.3-mile trail, on old jeep road, gains 955 feet in elevation.

Make it a multi-day hike and camp at Carter or Crescent Lakes. And you can connect with the nine-mile Crescent Lake Trail, although it’s hard to walk along the lake. Fishing is good for rainbow trout in Carter Lake.

http://www.trailmonkey.com

Horseback Riding

This area of Seward, Alaska is only accessible by horse back. View bald eagles up close, see where they nest and watch them feed. It is rare that you can't ride your horse right under the trees where they majestically perch.

We will ride through part of the old town of Seward that was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1964. You will hear the stories of the people who lived through it.

Our horses will then take us to the shore of the bay where the wild flowers meet the ocean. The bird life of this area is very diverse, active and up close. This Trail Ride could very well be the wilderness highlight of your trip to Seward and Alaska.

Click on this link for more information or to make reservations directly with Bardy's Trail Rideshttp://www.sewardhorses.com

Hunting

The best place to find good information on hunting is at:
http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/FISH.GAME/wildlife/geninfo/regs/regshome.htm

Kayaking

Kayaking is growing in Seward and there are a large variety of options to the Kayaker. It varies from beginners taking a quick lesson and enjoying the sites with a guide, to renting a kayaking and having the kayak and yourself dropped off in a remote area. Or make reservations at a lodge in Resurrection Bay where the kayaks will await you. There are two lodges offering this service; one a fairly updated facility with many modern conveniences, the other is a newly built lodge with cabins that are much more on the rustic side. Here is a link to a kayaking company in Seward that I think you will find to be very helpful.

http://www.liquid-adventures.com , http://www.sunnycove.com , & http://www.adventure60.com

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai (Key-nigh) Fjords National Park is bordered on the north and west by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and on the eastern border lies the Chugach National Forest. The southern boundary is the Gulf of Alaska, where steep mountain valleys plunge into the Pacific Ocean, creating the fjord-like appearance. The park is located approximately 4 miles west of Seward. The most accessible part of the park is Exit Glacier, which can be reached by the 9 mile Resurrection River Valley Road intersecting the Seward Highway at mile 3.

The park boasts rugged, remote peaks, massive ice fields, waterfalls and glaciers. The terrain is steep but affords some non-technical hiking. The three hundred square mile Harding Ice Field (named after president Warren Harding) entombs the Kenai mountains, and feeds some thirty active glaciers, which are currently receding. These rivers of ice move slowly down steep slopes crushing boulders to silt, and often calve spectacularly into the sea. The Harding Ice Field is one of four remaining ice fields in the United States; they are the last vestiges of the Pleistocene era when a massive continental ice sheet covered much of North America. The ice field reaches elevations of 6,000 feet entombing valleys and mountain tops.

The Kenai Fjords derive their name from the glacier carved valleys and mountains which have been pulled deeper and deeper into the sea by the collision of two tectonic forces. What were once alpine ice filled valleys are now submerged deep water mountain valleys, which create the fjords. The Kenai peninsula sits upon the "ring of fire". The ring of fire is a geological term describing our continent's interface with the North Pacific Plate. As the two plates strain against each other the mountains of the Kenai Range slip deeper into the Gulf. These forces continue to exact their toll upon the Kenai today. In fact, during the three minutes of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake--registering 8.6 on the Richter scale--the Fjords coastline fell an additional six feet into the sea.

Tours range from 2 ½ hours to 9 hours. The shorter tours will take you around Resurrection Bay. You will have an opportunity to view Bear Glacier, Eagles, Whales, Puffins, Sea Otters. The longer tours take you out into open ocean and then into Ailak Bay. Here you will find many larger glaciers with scenic mountains surrounding them, along with more wildlife. Some tours include dinner or lunch on an island or other tours will include a meal on the tour boat. Depending on your tendency to get seasick or not seasick, it may help you to determine what size boat you wish to go out on. The smaller boats move quicker and are able to maneuver in to small places, but the larger boats may have a smoother ride.

Click for detailed tour information and to book reservations for tours and charters in and around Kenai Fjords National Park, Resurrection Bay and Seward, Alaska. Remember for those people that use my free service to book lodging, we can also make your reservations to go out to the Kenai Fjords National Park and offer a discount on these tours.

Sailing

With daily 15-20 knot southerly winds blowing up the 20-mile long, north/south-oriented bay, Seward is a world-class sailing destination.

In fact, the June 2004 issue of Sail Magazine dubbed Seward as one of America's 10 greatest places to sail.

Seward also was featured in an article in the July 2004 issue of Cruising World. "The Secrets of Seward," by Ralph Narajo detailed the delights of bare boat charting out of Seward on board a Catalina 30 Mark III.

You can be under sail within minutes of leaving Seward's Small Boat Harbor, with only the sound of wind pushing the sails and the boat slicing through the water. Have your cameras ready as wildlife sometimes surfaces before all fenders are on board and line are coiled and stowed!

Seven miles out Thumb Cove offers the first good anchorage and is a favorite destination for sailors to stop for lunch or an overnight. Streams fall in dramatic waterfalls to meet the shore. Take a dingy to shore to take photos, stroll on the beach or pick a few berries.

Keep those sails taut. Other favorite coves included Humpy Cove, an hour sail beyond Thumb Cove; Sunny Cove located on Fox Island; and Agnes Cove, a great stopover for those who want to venture on into Aialik Bay and beyond for a longer cruise.

Whether you're out for an afternoon, overnight or longer, Resurrection Bay is a sailor's dream.

Saltwater Fishing

Seward is one of Alaska's hot fishing spots for big halibut. It's common to catch fish between fifty and eighty pounds. The big ones come in between two hundred and three hundred pounds. The Jackpot Halibut Tournament runs from May 15th to July 31st.

Seward, a paradise for anglers, is well-known for silver salmon. Silver salmon start showing up in mid-July peak in August just in time for the Silver Salmon Derby week.

King salmon can be caught right off the beach or trolling in the bay from a boat. The early run peaks in mid-June, and anglers catch 20 to 25 pound kings.

You can rent a boat or go on a charter. Fishing charters range from ½ day to full days. They offer salmon charters, halibut charters, halibut/bottom fish charters or combinations.

Get Licensed Resident Fee: A sportfishing license is $15.00, hunting and fishing license $39.00; hunting, trapping and fishing license is $53.00.

Nonresident Fees: A one-day fishing license is $10.00; three-day $20.00; seven-day $30.00; a fourteen-day $50.00; and an annual license $100.00.

Military License: Available to those on active duty and permanently stationed in Alaska (including their dependents). A fishing license is $15.00. A qualified resident disabled veteran may receive a free fishing and hunting license after completing an application from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Licensing Section.

King Salmon Tag: Anglers age 16 and older who fish for king salmon (except for stocked kings in landlocked lakes) must purchase a king salmon tax, sign it and attach it to their fising license. Cost is $10.00 for residents, $10.00 for a nonresident one-day tag, $20.00 for a three-day, $30.00 for a seven-day, $50.00 for a fourteen-day and $100.00 for an annual tag, Military residents pay $20.00.

License Purchase: From an Fish and Game license agent (including Fish House, Seward Shop & Millers Landing) or by mail from the Fish and Game Licencing Section, P.O. Box 25525, Juneau, AK 99802-5525. Call (907) 465-2376 to request an application by fax. Buy licenses over the Internet: www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/a dn click on online license purchase. Recorded fishing information at (907) 267-2510.

Whale Watching

During certain times of the year whales can be seen from the shore. I have never gone on a cruise and not seen whales, but remember these are wild animals and there is never a guarantee you will see them.

Wildlife

In the late winter and early spring it is not unusual to have a moose pass through your yard. In the late fall bear will roam the alleys looking for food. Year round it is common to see sea lions or sea otter swimming along the shorelines. Eagles are always to be seen especially during the salmon season.

During certain times of the year whales can be seen from the shore. I have never gone on a cruise and not seen whales.

But remember these are wild animals and they are wondering the streets more often than they are seen.