Kachemak BayGlacier Lake, Saddle, & Blue Ice Trails |
Guide to Glacier Lake, Saddle, and Blue Ice Trails at Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park (SP & SWP) in Alaska. Published by Alaska State Parks.
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Guide to
Glacier Lake, Saddle, & Blue Ice Trails
in Kachemak Bay State Park
Trail Access: Glacier Spit, Saddle, or Humpy Creek
Allowable Uses: Hiking
Distance: 3.2 mi one-way (Glacier Lake Trail)
1.0 mi one way (Saddle Trail)
6.7 mi one-way (Glacier Spit to Blue Ice Trail end)
Elevation Gain: 200 ft (Glacier Lake Trail)
200 ft (Glacier Lake to Saddle Trailhead)
500 ft (Glacier Spit to Blue Ice Trail end)
Difficulty: Easy; family suitable (Glacier Lake Trail)
Moderate (Saddle Trail)
Moderate (Blue Ice Trail)
Hiking Time: 1.5 hours (to end Glacier Lake Trail)
30 minutes (Saddle Trail)
5 hours (Glacier Spit to Blue Ice Trail end)
Blue Ice Trail:
This is the only developed access to Grewingk
Glacier. The trail starts from mile 4.9 of the Emerald
Lake Loop Trail. It passes along the shoreline of
Grewingk Lake and follows a creek to Tarn Lake, a
small lake in the area recently uncovered by glacial
ice, and hence denuded of vegetation. The glacier
has retreated to leave a moraine in its wake. Hikers
can travel a short distance to the moraine and look
down on the glacier, or explore newly exposed
rocky ridges to the south of this point.
Grewingk Tram Spur (1 mile, easy)
This spur connects Glacier
Lake Trail and Emerald Lake
Loop Trail. There is a handoperated cable car pulley
system
over
Grewingk
Creek. Operation requires
two people. Maximum capacity of the tram is 500
pounds. If only two people are crossing the
tram, one person should stay behind and assist in
pulling the other across. Two people in the tram
cart without assistance from others on the platform is difficult. Gloves are helpful in operating
the tram.
Glacier Lake & Saddle Trails:
A Popular route joins the Saddle and Glacier Lake
Trails. The Glacier Lake Trail follows flat terrain
through stands of cottonwoods & spruce, and
across the dry outwash plain of Grewingk Glacier. It
ends at the broad open beaches of Grewingk
Glacier Lake. This trail offers superb views of the
glacier and its surrounding peaks. Excellent dayhike. Most people get dropped off at the Glacier
Spit Trailhead, hike to the lake, hike the Saddle Trail,
and get picked up at the Saddle Trailhead. This is
also recommended because afternoon day breezes
complicate pick-ups at the Glacier Spit Trailhead.
Camping:
Glacier Spit, Grewingk Glacier Lake, Grewingk Creek,
Tarn Lake, Humpy Creek, Right Beach (accessible at
low tide from Glacier Spit)
Water Availability:
Grewingk Creek (glacial), Grewingk Glacier Lake
(glacial), small streams near glacier and on Saddle Tr.
Safety and Considerations:
CAUTION: Unless properly trained and outfitted for
glacier travel, do not climb on the ice or within the
caves. Hidden crevasses (cracks) are deadly perils.
Enjoy this natural wonder at a safe distance. Do not
attempt to ford Grewingk Creek, it is very swift and
cold! `
Park Rules:
For a complete set of park rules visit:
http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kbay kbay.htm
Alaska State Parks, Kenai Area Office
PO Box 1247
Soldotna, AK
(907) 262 - 5581