Hiking & Trails
Trail Descriptions
Trails in Kachemak Bay State Park range from family friendly to difficult and occasionally impassable; check the current trail conditions at www.alaskastatetrails.org. For more information about trails, camping, and water availability, visit alaskastateparks.org.
When accessing trailheads from the water, look for a triangular orange sign with a black T on it marking the location of the trailhead.
Emerald Lake Loop Trail
Access: Grewingk Glacier trails or Humpy Creek Trailhead
Distance: 12.6-mile loop
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 2,800 feet
This trail accesses beautiful Emerald Lake and its alpine surroundings. The trail climbs to Portlock Plateau for fantastic views of Kachemak Bay. Look for bears and mountain goats on the high ridges.
Caution: Portions of this trail might be difficult to impassable; for trail conditions, visit the Latest News page at alaskastateparks.org.
Grewingk Glacier Trails
Access: Glacier Spit Trailhead, Humpy Creek Trailhead or Emerald Lake Loop Trail.
Distance: Grewingk Tram Spur Trail, 1 mile; Blue Ice Trail, 1.9 miles
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Blue Ice Trail offers the only developed access to a glacier in Kachemak Bay State Park. At Grewingk Creek, there is a hand-operated cable car pulley system that requires two people for operation.
Caution: Unless properly trained and outfitted for glacial travel, do not climb on ice or in ice caves.
Caution: Localized landslides pose a mega tsunami risk along lower elevations (more information on reverse page).
Glacier Lake Trail
Access: Glacier Spit Trailhead or Saddle Trail
Distance: 3.2 miles one way to Grewingk Glacier Lake from Glacier Spit Trailhead
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
This trail crosses flat terrain and ends at the broad, open beaches of Grewingk Glacier Lake. The trail comprises a popular route joined by the Saddle and Grewingk Glacier trails.
China Poot Lake Trail
Access: Halibut Cove Lagoon
Distance: 2.8 miles one way to China Poot Lake
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
This popular trail gently climbs through the forest and over a low ridge, passing two small lakes where common loons are often seen and blueberries are plentiful in August.
Moose Valley Trail
Access: North end at mile 1.0 China Poot Lake Trail or south end at mile 0.8 Poot Peak South Trail.
Distance: 6.7 miles
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet (traveling southward)
This trail passes along the shore of Two Loon Lake, ascends through forested ridges and valleys, and then opens into Moose Valley’s meadows. Look for high waterfalls beyond the log footbridge over Moose Valley Creek. Be attentive—tall grasses can obscure trail markers.
Poot Peak Trails
Access: China Poot Lake Trail to China Poot Lake
Distance: 4.3 miles North to South Trail loop with summit
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 2,430 feet
There are two routes that branch off the Wosnesenski River Trail to the summit of Poot Peak. The north route is very steep and is not maintained. The south route is not as difficult and is maintained, but it is longer than the north route. Both trails lead to the Summit Spur Trail. Only hikers with rock climbing training should continue beyond this point—climbing the peak is hazardous due to shifting scree and falling rock.
Wosnesenski River Trail
Access: China Poot Lake Campsite, Haystack Rock Trailhead
Distance: 11.3 miles one way
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Beginning from the Poot Peak Trail, this route winds through forests, meadows and bogs, up and over a low ridge, and into the Wosnesenski River Valley. The Wosnesenski River is a glacial river, braided with gravel flats on either side with sweeping vistas of mountains and glaciers, and a spectacular 600-foot waterfall.
Caution: Portions of this trail might be difficult to impassable; for trail conditions, visit the Latest News page at alaskastateparks.org.
Sadie Knob Trail
Access: North Eldred Trailhead, South Eldred Trailhead. Please respect private property south of these two trailheads.
Distance: North route, 1.6 miles; South route, 1.9 miles; ridge trail to Sadie Knob, 2.6 miles
Travel Means: Foot
Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet
This trail accesses an alpine ridge between Sadie Cove and Kachemak Bay. The North and the South routes connect the north and south ends of Eldred Passage—both join the ridge route. The trail follows the ridgeline to Sadie Knob where hikers can enjoy superb and expansive 360° views of Kachemak Bay.
Caution: Vertical cliffs and rugged country! Clouds often shroud the trail, limiting visibility to under 50 feet making it easy to lose the trail. Wait for clouds to lift so you can spot trail markers in tricky areas.
Grace Ridge Trail
Access: North end at Kayak Beach Campsite or south end at South Grace Ridge Trailhead
Distance: 8.9 miles one way
Travel Means: Foot Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet
This hike offers stunning views of Eldred Passage, Sadie Peak, Cook Inlet volcanoes and beyond. Watch for mountain goats, black bears, and golden and bald eagles
