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| Early Fireweed Bloom on Homestead Trail |
Stats
When: Late July - August Where: Meadows all over Alaska
Summary
The Fireweed bloom is an annual phenomenon in Alaska. It is usually viewed as the end of summer. Like most flora displays the timing and quality vary from year to year.
Opinion
The Experience
2012 was a cold wet summer in Homer and the Fireweed bloom was mediocre and occurred well into August. 2013 was unusually warm and sunny and the Fireweed was amazing and in full bloom by the end of July. The Fireweed peak lasts about a week, but the good news is that there are many meadows in many of the microclimates, so if you miss the peak in one place you might be able to find it just a little further up the mountain.
There are many places to immerse yourself in a Fireweed field. We live in Homer and did not go searching for Fireweed in other places since we can find it close to home, so we're going to tell you where to enjoy this experience in or near Homer. That doesn't mean you can't find Fireweed fields somewhere else. If you have a favorite spot to share, please add it in a comment to this post.
Two of the easiest spots to see Fireweed in the Homer area are the Homestead Trail and the Eveline Trail. For some of the best sweeping vistas of Fireweed fields drive up Ohlson Rd. These are far from the only places, to enjoy the Fireweed and the list will be updated over the years as we find new spots.
Homestead Trail: If you just want to see the Fireweed, start at Rucksack Rd (where it meets Diamond Ridge Rd) and walk down the trail about 1 mile. This location gives you great view of Kachemak Bay over the top of the Fireweed.
Eveline Trail: The fireweed on this trail is hard to miss. Walk 30 feet into the trail and you will see the Fireweed. Take the Meadow Loop for the best views.
Ohlson Rd: Take east Skyline Rd then turn left on Ohlson Rd.
Another local photographer has some outstanding pictures on his facebook site.
2012 was a cold wet summer in Homer and the Fireweed bloom was mediocre and occurred well into August. 2013 was unusually warm and sunny and the Fireweed was amazing and in full bloom by the end of July. The Fireweed peak lasts about a week, but the good news is that there are many meadows in many of the microclimates, so if you miss the peak in one place you might be able to find it just a little further up the mountain.
There are many places to immerse yourself in a Fireweed field. We live in Homer and did not go searching for Fireweed in other places since we can find it close to home, so we're going to tell you where to enjoy this experience in or near Homer. That doesn't mean you can't find Fireweed fields somewhere else. If you have a favorite spot to share, please add it in a comment to this post.
Two of the easiest spots to see Fireweed in the Homer area are the Homestead Trail and the Eveline Trail. For some of the best sweeping vistas of Fireweed fields drive up Ohlson Rd. These are far from the only places, to enjoy the Fireweed and the list will be updated over the years as we find new spots.
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| Homestead Trail View |
Homestead Trail: If you just want to see the Fireweed, start at Rucksack Rd (where it meets Diamond Ridge Rd) and walk down the trail about 1 mile. This location gives you great view of Kachemak Bay over the top of the Fireweed.
 |
| Eveline Trail View |
Eveline Trail: The fireweed on this trail is hard to miss. Walk 30 feet into the trail and you will see the Fireweed. Take the Meadow Loop for the best views.
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| Ohlson Rd View |
Ohlson Rd: Take east Skyline Rd then turn left on Ohlson Rd.
Another local photographer has some outstanding pictures on his facebook site.
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