Information - Post Template Update

A couple of friends pointed out Google Map and Earth was choking their computers when they tried to load this blog.  In response, we moved the maps to under the cut line.  So instead of trying to load every map in the blog you'll only get the one set that you're interested in.

If you like something or don't, please let us know, so we can improve the usefulness of our blog!

Hiking - Walking The Spit Starting at Mariner’s Park

Stats

Distance:  Up to you                       Difficulty: Easy                              Time:  Up to you

Summary

The Spit is a Homer landmark.  It is exactly what its name says, a spit of land reaching into Kachemak Bay.  The spit is best know for the fishing charters, shopping, and fish packing, but is also a popular place for beach strolls and clamming.  We took a hike on the west side of the Spit starting at Mariner’s Park on 9 Jul 2013.

Opinion

This is one of our favorite hikes when we are in the mood for an easy stroll on the beach.  The common sites include Bald Eagles, gulls of several varieties,

About the Authors

We, Chris and Carol, retired from the Air Force in 2012 and moved to Homer, Alaska to start a second career as photographers.  While searching the local area for hikes, kayaking sites, and other activities, we were disappointed by random nature of the descriptions we could find on-line.

Chris suggested we start a blog to cover every activity we do as we discover them.  Carol agreed and this blog was formed.  As we explore the activities across Alaska we will continue to add them to this blog, so check back regularly.

We will not be stopping for the winter either.  We have discovered there are many interesting winter activities as well.  Alaska is gorgeous at any time of the year; there is no reason to limit your visit or your outdoor activities just because it isn’t summer.

This blog is based solely on our own experiences on these trips.  We do not get paid to do these reviews and we are not an advertising agency.

As a side note: if you are interested you can find the best of the photos we’ve taken on these trips at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/latitude-59.html?tab=artwork, or, if you happen to be in Homer, AK, you can see them on the wall at the Ptarmigan Co-op Art Gallery.

Adventure - Boat Tour of the Portage Glacier on the MV Ptarmigan

Portage Glacier Cruise

Portage Glacier from the MV Ptarmigan

Stats

Difficulty: very calm water                                                                     Time:  approximately 1 hr

Summary

We chose took the Portage Glacier Cruise on the MV Ptarmigan on 29 Jul 2013 (Portage Glacier Cruises).  This is the only motorized boat authorized on Portage Glacier Lake.  The boat cruises the short distance from the docks to the glacier for a spectacular, close-up view of the Portage Glacier.  A Chugach National Park ranger narrates the trip.

Opinion

This is a great trip.  The price is surprisingly reasonable and

Hiking - Homestead Trail: Lower Trail (Roger's Loop to Rucksack Rd)

Stats 

Distance:  5.9 miles                   Difficulty: Moderate                                 Time:  3.5 hrs

Summary

On 14 Jul 2013 we decided to return to the Homestead Trail.  Homestead Trail isn’t really just one trail: it has several branches and paths.  In the winter some of the branches are used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.  This time we picked the main Homestead Trail, then branched off to Rucksack Rd.  The Homestead trail hikes are inland trails.  The main Homestead Trail starts in the Homer swampland and climbs steadily into mountain meadows.  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 hike in the Homer area.  However, the trail should be amazing when the Fireweed blooms.  Large parts of the trail wander

Hiking - Homestead Trail: Self-Guided Nature Trail

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

Hiking - Grewingk Glacier Lake and Saddle Trail (Summer)

Grewingk Glacier and Lake

Stats

Distance:  4.5 miles                   Difficulty: Easy / Moderate                                 Time:  5 hrs

Summary

On 8 Jun 2013, the Kachemak Bay State Park had its annual “Trails Day”.  The purpose of trails day is to clean and repair the many managed trails in the park.  In addition to the maintenance hike, the state park also sponsors a guided family hike to Grewingk Glacier.  The hike started with a boat ride to the beach to take the Glacier Lake Trail to the glacier, the returned to the bay via the Saddle Trail.  

Since the start and end points are not the same, this particular route requires someone with a boat to drop you off and pick you up; if you don’t have a convenient friend with a boat, you can take one of the Water Taxis operated out of Homer.  This particular hike, as part of Trails Day, was sponsored and supported by Mako Water Taxi.

We did this hike before we started this blog, so we don’t have GPS maps of the route we took.  You can find good trail maps at the web site above.  We will upload a GPS track of the route the next time we take this hike.

Opinion

This is one of our favorite full day hikes; it is well worth the water taxi fee.  We also recommend planning a nice picnic lunch at the glacier.  The Glacier Lake Trail