Kachemak Bay State Park Trails Maps
There are over 25 miles of park trails, ranging from easy to difficult. Many climb over steep, rugged terrain, and offer excellent views. Others wind through coastal forest and meadows. Expect trails to be passable, although there may be areas of exposed rocks, roots, wet boggy areas, downed trees or tall grass. Trails and trailheads are marked with orange triangle signs with a "T" in the center.
Please Remember...
Hiking
times given are the minimum needed to hike the trail one way,
by a person in good physical condition without a pack.
Be
prepared for poor weather, both on the trail or while waiting
for pick-up service, which can be delayed. Carry extra supplies.
Please
practice minimum impact. Pack out what you pack in.
Do
not build fires in vegetated areas. Fires are allowed only on
gravel bars and beaches, and in fire grates provided at campsites, below
timberline.
Hang
food 15 feet high, well away from camp, out of reach of bears.
All
surface water should be properly treated before consuming. Use
biodegradable soap only, and never in streams or lakes. Discard wash
water at least 200 feet away from water sources.
Please
use trail registers. This information aids Park Rangers in management,
maintenance, and search & rescue (if someone is reported overdue). You
should leave a written trip plan with friends, family, and park rangers
as well.
There
are parcels of private property in the park. Please respect private
property; avoid trespassing.
Commercial operators must have a permit to operate within park units. Authorized commercial tour services for Kachemak Bay.
All
access to trailheads is by boat or plane. Several trailheads
have mooring buoys offshore to tie a boat up to. Mooring buoys are located
off the Saddle Trailhead, Rusty's Lagoon, Halibut Cove Lagoon, China
Poot Lake Trailhead & Coalition Trail, and in Tutka Bay near the public
use cabin. Do not tie up to the ring on top of the buoy. Instead, tie
up to the small float and ring attached to the anchor chain. These buoys
are suitable for vessels up to 35 feet in length. Do not tie up
next to a vessel already at anchor on a buoy without the express permission
of the vessel's operator. Authorized commercial air and water taxi services.
Crossing
glacial streams may be necessary, depending on the trail taken.
Glacial rivers vary in depth and current depending on the weather, but
the water level is often lower in mornings than later in the day, due
to nightly freezing at higher elevations. Water levels are generally
lower in early summer and much higher in July and August. Choose a slow-moving,
shallow spot to cross. Wearing a pair of neoprene booties or tennis
shoes will make crossing these icy rivers easier.
Map of Halibut Cove and Tutka Bay trails systems in Kachemak Bay State Park.
Trails in Kachemak Bay State Park are maintained
through the efforts of volunteers!
Alpine Ridge Trail (2.5 mi/4.0 km)
Rating: Moderate to Difficult (long,
steep climbs)
Hiking Time: 2 hours (to timberline)
Elevation Gain:1650 ft
Trailhead Access: Saddle Trail to
Lagoon Trail
Camping: No campsites at or near trailhead;
no developed sites, backcountry camping above timberline. Alpine areas
are extremely fragile; please practice no trace camping, no campfires.
Water Availability: Limited water,
no streams; seasonal pools beyond trail end
Trail Description: A popular, quick
route to alpine areas, this trail begins near the high point on the
Saddle Trail and steeply follows a ridge through spruce and alder to
alpine tundra, ending on a treeless knoll (near 2100 feet), with spectacular
views of Grewingk Glacier and a deep glacial valley. Alpine Ridge Trail fact sheet and map.
China Poot Lake Trail (2.6 mi/4.1 km)
Rating: Moderate (short, steep climbs)
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 500 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access: Halibut
Cove Lagoon (protected anchorage, with mooring buoys and public dock)
Camping: Developed campsites at Halibut
Cove Lagoon Trailhead, and at China Poot Lake Campsite (popular)
Water Availability: At trailhead;
several small streams along trail; China Poot Lake; Moose Valley Creek
Trail Description: This popular trail
gently climbs through the forest and over a low ridge, passing two small
lakes where common loons are common and blueberries are plentiful (August).
The trail meanders through cottonwoods and ends at the China Poot Lake
Campsite and inlet stream. Great camping or picnic site, great departure
point for the Poot Peak or Wosnesenski areas. China Poot Lake Trail fact sheet and map.
Coalition Loop Trail (5.5 mi/8.8 km)
Rating: Moderate (short, steep climbs)
Hiking Time: 3 hours for loop
Elevation Gain: 400 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
China Poot Bay Trailhead (high tide only); and at mile 0.2 and mile
1.8 of China Poot Lake Trail.
Camping: Halibut Cove Lagoon Trailhead
Campsite, China Poot Bay Trailhead
Water Availability: Small seasonal
creeks, China Poot Lake
Trail Description: Connecting Halibut
Cove Lagoon with China Poot Bay (1.6 miles) and dedicated to the Kachemak
Bay Citizen's Coalition, this trail shares some of the 23,000 acres
once destined for logging and development, which the grass-roots Coalition
volunteers helped Alaska State Parks acquire. Extended in 1999 in a
loop back to China Poot Lake Trail, near the north shore of China Poot
Lake, the trail climbs over a low ridge from mile 0.2 of China Poot
Lake Trail, opening to scenic views of China Poot Bay, where bald eagles
soar over bluffs. Next, descending to China Poot Bay, a good stop for
lunch or boat pick-up, the trail continues south. Just minutes beyond
the bay it traverses steep, forested hillsides, then passes through
low ridges and valleys - note the few hemlocks in this area. The trail
then passes high along China Poot Creek to a spectacular overlook of
China Poot Lake (mile 4.0). As the trail descends toward the lakeshore,
it rejoins China Poot Lake Trail.
Emerald Lake Trail (6.4 mi/10.2 km)
Rating: Moderate to Difficult (long,
steep climbs)
Hiking Time: Emerald Lake: 2 hours,
Humpy Creek: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 1650 ft
Trailhead Access: Grewingk Glacier
Trail; Humpy Creek Trail
Camping: Backcountry camping at Grewingk
Glacier Lake; Upper Humpy Creek; Emerald Lake Campsite; above treeline
(no campfires); Humpy Creek Trailhead and Campsite.
Water Availability: Grewingk Glacier
Lake (glacial), Upper Humpy Creek, Emerald Lake, seasonal snowfields
and streams on Portlock Plateau.
Trail Description: This trail accesses
beautiful Emerald Lake and its alpine surroundings. Starting at Grewingk
Glacier Lake, it climbs a rocky ridge to a splendid view of Grewingk
Glacier and Lake, then follows a glacial moraine into forest, bridges
Upper Humpy Creek (1 mile), and climbs to treeline. At mile 2.1, a short
(800 ft) spur trail leads to Emerald Lake and campsite (a small stream
crossing here may be difficult during spring meltoff). The trail climbs
to Portlock Plateau for fantastic views of Kachemak Bay. Look for bears
and mountain goats on the high ridges. Alpine portions of the trail
are marked with rock cairns and orange posts. The trail descends a ridge
(follow cairns carefully here) into alders and on to spruce trees
plagued by spruce bark beetles and wind storms. The trail ends at Humpy
Creek Trail junction. Emerald Lake Trail fact sheet and map.
Glacier Lake Trail (2.2 mi/3.5 km)
Rating: Easy, popular family hike
Hiking Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes from
Glacier Spit
Elevation Gain: 50 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
Glacier Spit Trailhead (wind exposed beach, morning drop-off best);
Saddle Trail (afternoon/evening pick-up best at Saddle Trailhead)
Camping: Small camping area at Glacier
Spit trailhead; Right Beach (accessible at low tide from Glacier Spit);
Rusty's Campsite; Grewingk Lake. Camping
Advisory: Please consider camping on higher portions of
Grewingk Lake flats. Landslides from area ridges falling into lake could
generate large splash waves of 50 feet or more along shores.
Water Availability: Right Beach, Rusty's
Campsite; small stream near the junction of the Saddle Trail.
Trail Description: Popular loop route
joined by the Saddle and Grewingk Glacier Trails. This trail crosses
flat terrain, through stands of spruce and cottonwood, and across the
dry outwash plain of the Grewingk Glacier. It ends at the broad, open
beaches of Grewingk Glacier Lake. This trail offers superb views of
the glacier and surrounding mountains. This is an excellent day hike.
Note: Access to the glacier along
the south end of Glacier Lake is difficult and hazardous.Please
do not attempt this route.See Grewingk Glacier Trail for
glacier access. Glacier Lake Trail fact sheet and map.
Goat Rope Spur Trail (1.5 mi/2.4 km)
Rating: Difficult (primitive route,
very steep climbs)
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours to summit (3160
feet)
Elevation Gain: 1960 ft
Trailhead Access: Lagoon Trail, 2
miles from ranger station.
Camping: No developed campsites; backcountry
camping above timberline (no campfires)
Water Availability: None, seasonal
snowfields
Trail Description: This short, steep,
unmaintained route begins at the highest point on the Lagoon Trail and
leads hikers up to alpine areas. Rock cairns mark the trail to an open
alpine ridge, where the trail gently climbs to a summit that has some
of the finest views anywhere of Kachemak country. This summit
rivals Poot Peak for its views, without the hazardous rocky climbs.
Travel beyond the 3160 foot summit is difficult. Please exercise foresight
and caution.
Grace Ridge Trail (8.2 mi/13.2 km)
Rating: Moderate to Difficult (long
climbs)
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours to first alpine
knob, 2.5 hours to summit, 6-8 hours entire trail
Elevation Gain: First knob at 1745
feet, summit at 3145 feet
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
north end at Kayak Beach Campsite (exposed site - a short connector
trail offers alternative anchorage on Sadie Cove side of point), south
end at South Grace trailhead with good anchorage (across Tutka Bay from
Sea Star Cove Public Use Cabin).
Camping: Kayak Beach Campsite (developed)
at trailhead, alpine areas (no fires), South Grace Trailhead (undeveloped).
Water Availability: Seasonal stream
at Kayak Beach, good stream near mile 1.6, no water on ridge, seasonal
creeks near South Grace Trailhead.
Trail Description: The trail begins
on left side of gravel beach at Kayak Beach Campsite (an area once used
as a rock quarry). It follows an old road now densely inhabited by alders,
then begins climbing through an old growth Sitka spruce forest. Mile
1.4 offers an excellent view of Sadie Knob. Huge spruce trees dot the
narrow ridge and the roar of hidden waterfalls below can be heard. At
mile 1.6, a creek rushing along the trail offers a good water source
(before climbing to alpine area). Climbing on through sub-alpine alders
and meadows to mile 2.9, an alpine knob (1745 feet) offers an excellent
destination for a half-day hike. Stunning views of Eldred Passage, Sadie
Peak, Cook Inlet volcanoes and beyond are available here. Watch for
mountain goats, black bears, golden and bald eagles. To continue, follow
the marked route through the alders to the southeast, cross a saddle,
and climb the alpine ridgelines to the peak (3105 feet). There is good
spring skiing in this area's bowls. The alpine portions of this route
are unmarked, but it is easy to follow the "knife" ridges. Descending
into the alders again, the trail switchbacks into the spruce forest,
ending at Tutka Bay. Grace Ridge Trail fact sheet and map.
Grewingk Glacier Trail (6.5 mi/10.4 km)
Rating: Varies: Easy (on flats) to
Moderate (steep climbs)
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 500 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access: Glacier
Spit Trailhead; Humpy Creek Trail; Emerald Lake Trail.
Camping: Glacier Spit Trailhead/Campsite,
Grewingk Creek and Grewingk Glacier Lake Areas.
Water Availability: Grewingk Creek
(glacial); Grewingk Glacier Lake (glacial); small lake and stream near
Grewingk Glacier.
Trail Description: The only developed
access to a glacier, this trail begins at Glacier Spit Trailhead and
Campsite, meandering through a mature forest of large spruce and cottonwoods.
At mile 0.4, it intersects with a short spur trail to Rusty's Campsite.
Continuing east and opening to younger forest, the trail intersects
with Glacier Lake Trail (mile 1.4). Turn left at this junction. Soon
the forest fades into a dry, gravel, glacial outwash plain of low alders
and shrubs where occasional cairns or orange markers define the trail.
At mile 2.4, the trail crosses the 250-foot Grewingk Creek in a narrow
channel of bedrock.
Grewingk Creek Tram: This is a hand-operated
cable car pulley system. Operation may require two people. Maximum weight
of 2 persons with packs or 500 pounds (227 kg). If only two people crossing
on the tram, one person should stay behind and assist in pulling the
other across. Once across both persons can pull the tram cart back to
pick up the other person. Two people in the tram cart without assistance
from others on the platform is difficult.
At Grewingk Creek, the trail intersects with Humpy Creek Trail. While
camping is good here, remember that black bears frequent the area. From
Grewingk Creek, the trail climbs over Foehn Ridge, offering views of
the Grewingk Glacier and outwash flats. Descending the ridge, the trail
then crosses flatlands to Grewingk Glacier Lake. Look for glacial ice
afloat in the lake. Here the trail intersects with Emerald Lake Trail,
near mile 4.9, passes the lake, and follows a creek to a small glacial
or "tarn" lake, ending at area recently covered with glacial ice and
hence denuded of vegetation. Hikers can go a short way to the glacier's
face, or explore newly exposed rocky ridges to the right (south) of
this point.
Caution: Unless properly trained and outfitted
for glacial travel, do not climb on ice or in ice caves. Hidden crevasses (cracks) are deadly perils. Enjoy this natural wonder
from safe distances.
Humpy Creek Trail (5.2 miles/8.3 km)
Rating: South leg: Easy, flat, brushy
terrain, gravel surface; North leg: Moderately difficult (long climbs)
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
Humpy Creek Trailhead (north side of creek, high-tide best, shallow
beach profile) Advisory: Black bears
frequent the mouth of Humpy Creek during the months of July and August,
when salmon are spawning.; Mallard Bay Trail; Grewingk Glacier
Trail at Grewingk Tram.
Camping: Grewingk Creek area; Humpy
Creek Trailhead and Campsite - Advisory:
Black bears frequent the mouth of Humpy Creek during the months of July
and August, when salmon are spawning.
Water Availability: Humpy Creek; Grewingk
Creek (glacial); small ponds near Grewingk Creek.
Trail Description: This trail connects
the Grewingk Creek and Humpy Creek areas with the Mallard Bay Trail;
it also accesses the north end of the Emerald Lake Trail. From 0.2 mile
Mallard Bay Trail junction, the forest has been devasted by spruce bark
beetle and wind blowdown. The trail ascends switchbacks to Emerald Lake
Trail junction (1.2 mile). Trail descends a ridge and forest (devastated),
heading south (0.6 miles) over the tidewater flats of Kachemak Bay (area
floods at extreme high tides), to the Humpy Creek Trailhead and Campsite.
Trail then bridges Humpy Creek (known for pink "humpy" salmon), crosses
a flat, mostly open outwash plain (next 1.6 miles), and passes small,
blue pools of water. Trail then threads a narrow, rocky "flume" where
Grewingk Creek once flowed, ending at Grewingk Creek/tram.
Lagoon Trail (6.2 mi/10.0 km)
Rating: Difficult (several long, steep
climbs, narrow trail, wet areas, glacial stream crossing)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours minimum, 1.5
days recommended
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft
Trailhead Access: North End - Saddle
Trail; South End - Halibut Cove Lagoon Ranger Station.
Camping: Halibut Creek Flats, near
creek crossing; Halibut Cove Lagoon Ranger Station Campsite.
Water Availability: None at Saddle
Trailhead; Halibut Creek (glacial/silty); numerous small streams along
trail.
Trail Description: This is a challenging,
diverse, and primitive route connecting the Grewingk and China Poot
areas. From the Saddle Trail, the Lagoon Trail skirts above Halibut
Cove, then drops to Halibut Creek Flats. There is no bridge at Halibut
Creek. It is recommended that the stream be waded at low tide out on
the tidal flats where the water will be shallower - otherwise expect
swift, icy, knee to waist-deep water. Find the trail again by following
orange trail markers around the tidal flats. A series of steep switchbacks
then climbs into spruce forest to an intersection with Goat Rope Spur
Trail, near timberline. The trail continues south, crossing a cascading
creek and ends at the ranger station after steep switchbacks.
Note: This is a rugged, difficult, and exhausting
trail. Round-trips are NOT recommended; hikers who have completed
the Lagoon Trail rarely opt to backtrack and rehike it.
Mallard Bay Trail (1 mi/ 1.6 km)
Rating: Easy to Moderate (short, steep
climbs)
Hiking Time: 30 minutes
Elevation Gain: 250 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
Mallard Bay (high-tide access only, stay right when approaching trailhead,
bay goes dry at low tide).
Camping: Tent platform and outhouse
at trailhead. Undeveloped camping on small beach north of trailhead
(extreme high-tides flood the trailhead beach).
Water Availability: Seasonal water
at trailhead; glacial water in Portlock River
Trail Description: This trail crosses
a ridge to Portlock Glacier Valley and ends. It offers an open approach
to Portlock Glacier and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. It also
accesses Humpy Creek Trail, ten minutes from Mallard Bay.
Moose Valley Trail (6.7 mi/ 10.7 km)
Rating: Moderate to Difficult (long
grades)
Hiking Time: 3 - 4 hours
Elevation Gain: 1200 feet
Trailhead Access: North end - Mile
1.0 China Poot Lake Trail near Two Loon Lake; South end - Mile 0.8 Poot
Peak Trail South Route.
Camping: Good camping on creek gravel
bars above the bridge near mile 1.2, developed site at mile 1.6, subalpine
meadows near Poot Peak.
Water Availability: Two Loon Lake,
Moose Valley Creek, small streams, Garden Lakes.
Trail Description: Beginning at China
Poot Lake Trail junction (mile 1.0), this trail passes along the shore
of Two Loon Lake, ascends through forested ridges and valleys, and then
opens into Moose Valley's cottonwood meadows - alive with wildflowers
and cow parsnip in mid-summer. Be attentive - tall grasses can obscure
trail markers. Look for high waterfalls beyond the log footbridge
over Moose Valley Creek and the gravel bar campsite (mile 1.6). Watch
for goats on mountain ridges. Trail turns south, then switchbacks up
the back of Poot Peak and passes the subalpine "Garden" lakes. (Trail
here may be obscurred by snow in early summer.) Trail ends at intersection
with Poot Peak Trail. Moose Valley Trail fact sheet and map.
Poot Peak Trail (4.6 mi/7.4 km)
Rating: Difficult (very steep, slick,
rocky climbs)
Hiking Time: From China Poot Lake
to summit: North Route: 3 - 4 hours; South Route 4 - 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 2430 ft
Trailhead Access: China Poot Lake
Trail to China Poot Lake.
Camping: China Poot Lake Campsite
Water Availability: Moose Valley Creek;
small creek near trailhead; seasonal snowfields; no water on peak.
Trail Description: From China Poot
Lake Campsite, this popular trail circles Poot Peak and climbs the 2600-foot
summit.
The North Route(1.9 mile) climbs
after the Wosnesenski River Trail junction. The steep, slick, unmaintained
route climbs rapidly through the spruce forest, alders, and loose scree
slopes.
The Summit Spur(1.1 miles from trailhead)
leads to the peak, climbing very steeply for the next 0.2 miles to a
rocky bench, or "Lower Summit" (2100 feet). This is a good stop for
those unprepared to summit.
CAUTION: It is recommended that only
climbers with rock climbing training continue beyond this point.
Climbing the 2600-foot peak is hazardous due to shifting scree and rock.
Hand and foot holds are poor at best, and worse when wet. The rewards
above treeline include superb views of Wosnesenski Glacier and Kachemak
Bay.
The lightly used South Route (2.8-miles)
begins after the Summit Spur junction, passing alder thickets, meadows,
and ponds. Poot Peak South offers stunning views of alpine lakes, expansive
glaciers and the Kenai Mountains. Poot Peak Trail fact sheet and map.
Saddle Trail (1.0 mi/1.6 km)
Rating: Moderate (short, steep climbs)
Hiking Time: 25 minutes
Elevation Gain: 350 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
Halibut cove (protected anchorage, mooring buoys), good afternoon pick-up.
Camping: No camping at trailhead;
Grewingk Glacier Lake sites.
Water Availability: No water at trailhead;
small stream near the junction with Glacier Lake Trail.
Trail Description: Leading over a
low ridge between Halibut Cove and the Grewingk Glacier, the trail provides
a popular loop with the Glacier Lake Trail. The trail switchbacks through
steep, forested terrain and accesses the Alpine Ridge and Lagoon Trails.
Cliffs prohibit hiking the beach from the trailhead to the Right Beach
Campsite, boat transport is necessary.
Note: Please respect private property
near the trailhead.
Sadie Knob Trail (6.3 mi/10.1 km)
Rating: Moderate to Difficult (long
climbs)
Hiking Time: 3 hours to Sadie Knob
Elevation Gain: 2100 feet
Trailhead Access: Marine Access: North
Eldred - north end of beach, north of Anisom Point; South Eldred - north
of Sadie Cove Inlet, north of small islands. Please respect private
properties south of these two trailheads.
Camping: North and South Eldred Campsites
(developed) at trailheads, camping (undeveloped) in alpine areas, no
open fires.
Water Availability: Seasonal creeks
at both trailheads, good stream (Quiet Creek) near mile 1.7 (north trail)
and mile 2.0 (south trail), small streams near low areas, no water on
summit.
Trail Description: Sadie Knob Trail
accesses an alpine ridge (visible from Homer) between Sadie Cove and
Kachemak Bay. It does not access Sadie Cove and Kachemak Bay. It does
not access Sadie Peak to the south. The North (1.7 miles) and the South
(2.0 miles) Routes connect the north and south ends of Eldred Passage
- both join the Ridge Route at Quiet Creek. The Ridge Route climbs through
spruce forest, flowery meadows and along a subalpine lake. Emerging
above timberline, and marked only with rock cairns or orange trailmarkers,
the trail follows the ridgeline to Sadie Knob (2100 feet). From Sadie
Knob, hikers gain superb and expansive 360 degree views of Kachemak
Bay, Sadie Peak, Sadie Cove, Eldred Passage and Cook Inlet volcanoes.
Watch for mountain goats, black bears and eagles.
Caution: Vertical cliffs and rugged country! Clouds often shroud the Sadie Knob, Emerald Lake and Grace Ridge areas,
limiting visibility to under 50 feet. Trail "treads" do not exist in
alpine areas, markers may not be visible, one to the next, and topography
can be extremely confusing. Hikers may stray down wrong ridgelines,
losing direction and trails. Often by waiting a short while, clouds
will lift, offering glimpses of trail markers. Saddle Knob Trail fact sheet and map.
Tutka/Jakolof Trail (2.0 mi/3.2 km)
Rating: Easy to Moderate
Hiking Time: 1 hour
Elevation Gain: 250 ft
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
Tutka Bay Lagoon (high-tide access only); Jakolof Road Trailhead.
Camping: Developed campsite at Tutka
trailhead; NO camping at Jakolof end.
Water Availability: Small streams
along trail.
Trail Description: This trail joins
Tutka Bay Lagoon and the Rocky River road. It climbs over a series of
low ridges and through small valleys. Much of this trail is located
on the property of the Seldovia Native Association; please stay on the
main trail, a five-foot easement.
Tutka Lake Trail (2.9 mi/4.7 km)
Rating: Moderate
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours to trail end
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Trailhead Access: Marine Access -
Tutka Lake Trailhead and Campsites; Sea Star Cove Public Use Cabin.
Camping: Tutka Lake Trailhead and
Campsite.
Water Availability: Seasonal at trailhead,
Tutka Lake
Trail Description: From Tutka Lake
Trailhead, the trail climbs briefly before intersecting the trail to
the Sea Star Cove Cabin. It continues through spruce forest and along
Tutka Lake, and intersects the trail to the Tutka Bay Lagoon fish hatchery
(0.5 mile to hatchery). The main trail continues along the west shore
of Tutka Lake, then turns and crosses a low saddle before climbing and
following high above Tutka Creek. The trail dead ends near the Kachemak
Bay State Wilderness Park boundary, showcasing the Tutka Creek waterfalls.
Wosnesenski River Trail (11.3 mi/18.0 km)
Rating: Moderate (long switchbacks)
to easy (along river flats)
Hiking Time: 10 hours from Haystack
Trailhead to China Poot Lake
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Trailhead Access: China Poot Lake
Campsite (0.4 mile Poot Peak Trail); Marine access (tide dependent)
at Haystack Trailhead.
Camping: China Poot Lake Campsite;
undeveloped sites near junction with Poot Peak South Route and along
Wosnesenski River flats; Haystack Trailhead beach area.
Water Availability: Moose Valley Creek,
China Poot Lake, several small lakes, Wosnesenski River (glacial, silty),
Stonehocker Creek.
Trail Description: The trail begins
along the Poot Peak Trail, about 10 minutes from the bridge at China
Poot Lake. From here, it winds pleasantly through forests, meadows and
bogs, along the shores of three lakes. It then climbs a low ridge and
drops into the Wosnesenski River Valley. Heading west from the expansive
gravel bars of the river here, the trail climbs over a ridge and continues
along the river, winding in and out of groves of large cottonwoods.
A spectacular 600 foot waterfall is visible from several miles across
the valley. After passing powerlines, the trail intersects with a small
utility access road. Turn right (north) and follow the road to Haystack
Trailhead.
If starting from the Haystack bulletin board, an orange triangle seen
across the flats to the southeast marks the trail. The Wosnesenski River
is a typical glacial river, braided with gravel flats on either side,
a highly scenic area with sweeping vistas of mountains and glaciers
to the south. Wosnesenski River Trail fact sheet and map.
Note: Tidal flats at Haystack Trailhead
flood at 16+ foot tides.
Kachemak Bay State Park & Wilderness Park Brochure & Map
