Hiking - Eveline State Recreation Site outside Homer

Portlock and Dixon Glaciers from the Bottom of Alpine Meadows Loop

Stats 

Distance:  1.4 miles                   Difficulty: Easy                                 Time:  50 min

Summary

On 15 Aug 2013 we got a break in the much overdue rain and headed to the Eveline State Recreation Site.  Eveline has trails that are used in both summer and winter.  The summer trails are two loops: Glacier View Loop and Alpine Meadows Loop.  Both trails are inland meadows with excellent views of the Portlock and Dixon Glaciers.  In the winter the trails are tagged for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing; the views might be even better then as the air tends to be more clear in the winter.  The Alaska Department of Resources web site for the recreation area is Eveline State Recreation Site.  Other blogs have trip reports on this site that can be found with an internet search on Eveline State Recreation Site.

Opinion

This is a very nice hike.  We like it a bit better than the lower Homestead Trail; it’s better maintained (less boggy) and has slightly better views although both trails have masses of wonderful wildflower
meadows.  If you are looking for a good walk with great views and a profusion of wildflowers this is the trail for you.  It gets particularly good when the Fireweed is blooming.

Trail Advice

This trail is in the upper meadows, but although there are few swamps, the mosquitoes and biting flies are still present.  Also, there is virtually no shade.  We strongly recommend a good coating of both sunscreen and mosquito repellent (although we’re learning that nothing keeps the biting flies off except long sleeves and pants).

Suitability

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

Trailhead

To find the trail, drive down East End Rd 13.8 miles.  When you pass the McNeil Canyon School you are close.  Turn left on Alpine Meadows Rd and go 0.3 miles to the parking area and trailhead.

The Hike

Although we knew the Eveline State Recreation Site existed, we found it by accident one day as we were trying to see how far down the Kachemak Bay we could get before we ran out of road.  Long before we reached that point, we passed a sign for Eveline and decided to detour to check it out. 

Map of the Eveline Trails

This trail is closed to motorized vehicles, but appears to be very popular with joggers and dog walkers.  The early part of the trail is wide and gravel paved.  After a bit the gravel stops and the trail becomes well-walked, well-groomed dirt and grass.

Picnic Table

The parking area is nice and large and the trail is extremely well marked throughout.  Barely a block into the trail there is a delightful picnic area raised up with a view of the alpine meadows and the glaciers across the bay. 

Hazy View of
Dixon Glacier

Throughout the hike, there are wonderful views of ridge tops and glaciers across the bay, a profusion of wildflowers grace the meadows, and there are calm, cool pockets of shelter wherever the trail goes through an alder forest. 

Through Fireweed and Across
Kachemak Bay

If you just want to step in for quick views and photos, you can walk for less than 5 minute on the Glacier loop.  If you are looking for a longer walk the entire outside loop is just under a mile and a half.  In the winter, it appears additional trails are marked for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  We can’t wait to get out our brand-new, never-been-used snowshoes this winter and tromp around on the trail.  The views should be even better, since the air is clearer in the winter.

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