Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing, Hunting/Shooting, Fishing

Info:
Location: Shuyak Island State Park
State: Alaska
Seasons: All Year
Difficulty: Moderate.
Activity: Hiking, Kayaking
Length: Upland Trail 15 miles, Kayak trail is Approximately 35 miles (or a chartered boat trip of about the same)

Description: Unique and very remote and wild, even by Alaskan standards, Shuyak Island State Park is best explored through a combination of travel via both land and sea. Hikers and kayakers will find plentiful ways and opportunities to view a wide variety of wildlife, including whales, sea otters, deer, brown bear and harbor seals. The shorelines, capes, outer islands and inner bays also a wide variety of birdlife. To the west visitors will see the spectacular Katmai coast, just 30 miles across the Shelikof Strait, while towards the interior of the Island, a peaceful, old-growth Sitka Spruce forest filters the sounds of the exposed outer coastline. Shuyak Island, at only about 100 square miles, offers an incredible variety of moods, experiences and recreational opportunities. The weather in this area is wild and often unpredictable, even by Alaskan standards so you will need to think ahead and make the right preparations for your trip and any hikes that you make. Wildlife encounters will inevitably take place, so wearing bear bells, making sure that your food is in bear safe containers and not in the encampments will be necessary and take some planning. For those who don’t want to take a chance on the weather and its constant changes there are four public use cabins managed by Alaska State Parks which can provide you a rather rustic but still safer and more civilized, alternative to camping out.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
Location:Crater Lake area
State: Alaska
Seasons: Summer
Difficulty: Difficult
Activity: Hiking
Length: 3.7 miles
Nearest Town: Cordova

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing, Hunting/Shooting, Fishing

Info:
Location: Chugach National Forest
State:Alaska
Seasons: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Activity: Hiking, Backpacking, Hunting, Fishing,
Length: 12.5 miles
Nearest Town: Cordova

Description: There are a lot of experiences in store for anyone who chooses to hike this trail. It allows for some wonderful Hiking, incredible viewing, a challenging backpack day, as well as berry picking and fishing for those who want to give these activities a try. There is a public use cabine about 5 miles into the hike. Power Creek Cabin is 4.2 miles from the end of Power Creek Road or if you feel energetic, a hike up the “Alice Smith Intertie” Trail to a ridge provides spectacular views of Orca Inlet and Eyak Lake and the surrounding delta. The very scenic Crater Lake is set in a alpine bowl that has a diverse and interesting set of landscapes, plants and wildflowers. Your descent back to Power Creek Road is set with numerous but well marked switchbacks. A shelter has been constructed on the ridge line portion of Alice Smith which is usually available on a first-come, first served basis, but is always available to those with emergency needs such as exposure, hypothermia or storms. Please ber in mind that the Crater Lake area is prone to very rapid weather changes and that you will most likely encounter wildlife along the way. Bear bells are advisable and please use adequate caution with any bear encounter. The Crater Lake trail also provides access to a short but steep climb up Eyak Peak which does require some additional caution if you select to take this climb.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
Location: Chena Hot Springs Area
State: Alaska
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Activity: Hiking, Backpacking
Length: 15 miles

Description: The trail will traverse many types of surface and ground. In most areas, the wetlands, or boggy aspects have been cared for by the parks servic and will have boardwalks, while the rest of the trail has gravel or soil surface to up to the actual treeline. The alpine meadows and alpine areas will have rocky surfaces. The trail is well marked by rock cairns and mile post markers to help you stay to the trail. Wildlife being so prolific in the Alaska area, you will most likely be viewing it as you walk. As with any hike in this area, bear bells are not a bad idea. Winter tim in Alaska can be harsh, but more than beautifulThis trail is a good day hike, being about a 15 mile loop trail. There is also, part way though the trail, anh emergency shelter that you may use in case of storm or problems , which makes it a nice area to take your first Alaska hike. The local wildlife, a moose mom and son out for a strollThe granite tors that are so numerous in this area are quite interesting to view and you will also find yourself with an excellent access to both them and a spectacular view of surrounding mountains and the scenery below. The Alpine areas offer you up wildlife and wildflowers for your viewing and will make for some superb photographic opportunities so do make sure that you take a camera. While this is not an extremely difficult hike, due to the elevation and the length, some amount of training and preparation is certainly in order.. It is a very full day, or perhaps even an overnight family hike.