Hiking - Homestead Trail: Self-Guided Nature Trail | Guide for Alaska's Disappearing Tourists

Stats

Distance: 1.0 miles Difficulty: Easy Time: 30 min

Summary

On 3 Jul 2013 we decided to check out the Homestead Trail. Since we had no specific goal in mind, we picked the closest and shortest of the hikes that start at Homestead Trail trailhead. The Homestead trail hikes are inland trails and the Self-Guided Nature trail goes through the Homer wild- and swamp-land. The link to the official web site is http://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/recreation/homestead. This is limited site that lists a few of the hikes in the Homer area.

Opinion

This is a nice hike, but not the best in the Homer area. This trail is not one for sweeping vistas, but is best enjoyed by
looking closely at all the plants and animals along the way. It is, however, one of the easiest and a good choice for a light, easy hike.

The trail is level and varies from bark-paved to dirt to boardwalk throughout the trail. The trail is not well maintained; it is easy to lose the trail in the dirt areas although it is difficult to get truly lost. The boardwalk has the occasional broken board. Overall the trail is in decent condition.

Trail Advice

This trail goes through swamp land. The mosquitoes and biting flies are fierce in summer. Also, there is limited shade. We strongly recommend a good coating of both sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

Suitability

Not wheelchair accessible, but suitable for anyone else, including children.

Trailhead

To find the trail, take Roger's Loop Rd to the north from Sterling Hwy. Roger's Loop Rd meets Sterling Hwy in two places; either will get to the trailhead. The trailhead is easy to spot on the north side of Roger's Loop Rd. Parking for the trail is parallel parking on the north side of the road.

This trailhead is the jumping off point for several hikes. Only the Self-Guided Nature Trail is covered in this article.

The Hike

This area is listed as a Kachemak Bay Birding Spot. Listen and you will hear a tremendous number of song birds. You can also hear the screaming of gulls and twittering of Bald Eagles right at the beginning of the hike. These calls are actually coming from the dump; you cannot see or smell it, but you can hear it.

Nature Trail

The trail starts with a wide bark-paved trail. A few hundred yards from the trailhead the Self-Guided Nature Trail breaks off to the right. The cutoff is labeled, but a bit overgrown so you will need to pay attention. The trail curves around through wild grass land and spruce trees, many beetle-killed.

Nagoonberry

Alaskan Spirea

About a third of the way along, the trail crosses the main Homestead Trail and the curves around again. This part of the trail is mostly boardwalk and winds through swamp land. Look carefully, there are a variety of wild flowers along the trail: some quite tiny and beautiful.

Mushrooms

Hidden Stream

Listen and you can hear hidden streams running by the path. Occasionally, the trail crosses one of these creeks and it will be suddenly visible as crystal clear water winding through the brush.

At the end, the Self-Guided Nature Trail joins back up with Homestead trail and you follow the Homestead trail back to the trailhead.