Hiking The Kenai

Alaska is vast, still mostly roadless and wild, and stunningly beautiful. Alaska is so big- equal in area to about one-fifth of all the lower 48 states- it is difficult to completely cover all of its available hiking in one book. This guide therefore concentrates on the Kenai Peninsula, which has the largest number, greatest concentration, and most diverse range of hiking environments in the state. The Kenai, as it is known locally, is itself huge, containing an ice field larger than the state of Rhode Island. The Kenai offers coastal, forest, subalpine, tundra, and even glacial hiking opportunities. While many of these trails traverse remote and wild country, the trailheads for all 50 hikes covered in this book can be reached by either roads or water taxis. These Kenai hikes are also easily accessible from the cities of Anchorage and Kenai/Soldotna and the towns of Homer and Seward.

The hikes range from an easy 0.5-mile flat walk through boggy lowland meadows to more challenging multiday hikes through mountainous, alpine, and even glacial terrains. Included are several hikes that are appropriate for families with small children, and coastal beach hikes that will delight everyone. Detailed hike descriptions, beautiful photographs, relief maps and explanations of the Kenai's geology and geography make this guide a must-have for your trip.

Hikes covered in this book-

Part I: Northern Kenai-  Byron Glacier, Gull Rock, Hope Point Ridge & Summit, Resurrection Pass, Devils Pass, Summit Creek, Crescent Creek & Lake, Carter Lake, Johnson Pass

Part II: Northeast Kenai-  Lost Lake, Primrose Creek, Ptarmigan Creek & Lake, Resurrection River, Exit Glacier, Harding Ice Field, Mount Marathon, Caines Head, Caines Head Alpine

Part III: Central Kenai-  Hideout, Kenai River, Hidden Creek, Skilak Lookout & Bear Mountain, Seven Lakes, Skyline Trail and Alpine Traverse, Fuller Lakes & Alpine Traverse, Russian Lakes

Part IV: Southeast Kenai (Homer & Anchor Point)-  Bishops Beach & Homer Spit, Bishops Beach to Diamond Beach, Diamond Gulch & Beach, Homestead-Demonstration Forest, Crossman Ridge (Homestead Extension), Calvin and Coyle, Anchor Point Beach

Part V: Southeast Kenai (across Kachemak Bay)-  Red Mountain, Tutka Lake, Grace Ridge, Sadie Knob, Wosnesenski River, China Poot/Leisure Lake, Poot Peak Hike & Climb, Moose Valley, Coalition Loop, Goat Rope Spur, Alpine Ridge, Saddle Trail to Grewingk Glacier Lake, Glacier Spit to Grewingk Glacier Lake, Grewingk Glacier, Humpy Creek South to Glacier Spit, Humpy Creek North to Mallard Bay, Emerald Lake

NOTE: There are even more developed hiking trails available on The Kenai which this book does not cover. In effort to create an in-depth, companion-sized reference book, the 50 hikes above were hand-selected for a variety of reasons ranging from perceived experience to accessibility.

About the author: Taz Tally is a photographer, Ph.D. geologist, digital imaging expert and avid four-season outdoor athlete who moved to Alaska to enjoy his overlapping joys of hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, and photography. Taz is an author of numerous books and online training courses on digital imaging topics such as digital photography and Photoshop. Taz also offers custom Alaskan photography adventures for those who would like to venture off into and shoot the great Alaskan landscape. You can visit Taz at www.taztallyphotography.com

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