Trail Descriptions
Alpine Ridge Trail
- Rating: Moderate to Difficult (long, steep climbs)
- Elevation Gain: 1650 ft.
- Hiking Time: 2 hours (to timberline)
- 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
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.
China Poot Lake Trail
- Length: 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
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.
Coalition Loop Trail
- Length: 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
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 Loop Trail
- Length: 12.7 Miles round trip
- Rating: Easy (flats) to difficult (long steep climbs)
- Hiking Time: From Humpy Trailhead 5-7 hours; From Grewingk Tram 7 hours
- Elevation Gain: 1650 ft.
- Trailhead Access: Humpy Creek Trailhead, Grewingk Tram via Glacier Spit Trailhead.
- Camping: Backcountry camping at Grewingk Glacier Lake; Humpy Creek Trailhead; Emerald Lake Campsite: above tree line (no fires); Tarn Lake at the end of Grewingk Glacier Spur Trail
- Water Availability: Humpy Creek; Grewingk Creek and Lake (Glacial,) small ponds along Grewingk Creek; Upper Humpy Creek; Emerald Lake; seasonal snow fields and streams on Portlock Plateau
This loop trail accesses beautiful Emerald Lake and its alpine surroundings. Starting at Humpy Creek Trailhead/Campsite, head south, crossing Humpy Creek (known for its pink “humpy” salmon,) crossing a flat, mostly open outwash plain (next 1.6 miles) and passes small blue pools of water. The trail then threads a narrow rocky “flume” where Grewingk Creek once flowed, to the cable tram that crosses Grewingk Creek. 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 the outwash flats. Descending the ridge, it then crosses flatlands to Grewingk Glacier Lake. Look for glacier ice floating in the lake. From Grewingk Lake, the trail climbs up exposed rock, then along a lateral moraine into forest, bridges upper Humpy Creek (1 mile) and climbs to tree line. At trail junction a short (800 ft.) spur trail leads to Emerald Lake and campsite (a small stream crossing here may be difficult during spring melt off.) Trail climbs to Portlock Plateau for fantastic views of Kachemak Bay. Look for bears and mountain goats on high ridges. Alpine portions of the trail are marked with rock cairns and white spars. Trail descends a ridge (follow cairns and/or spars carefully) into the alders and on to spruce forest plagued by spruce bark beetles and wind storms, past the Mallard/Emerald Connector Trail to the tidewater flats of Kachemak Bay. Continue South along the tidewater flats (areas flood at extreme high tide) ending at Humpy Creek Trailhead/Campsite.
Glacier Lake Trail
- Length: 4.8 miles
- Rating: Easy, popular family hike
- Hiking Time: 80 minutes from Glacier Spit Trailhead (wind exposed beach: morning drop-off best, afternoon/evening pick-up at Saddle Trailhead.) And out the Saddle Trail (½ mile from Grewingk Lake)
- Elevation Gain: 500 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 Grewingk Glacier Lake
- Water Availability: None
This easy trail travels along the Grewingk Glacier Lake, which is fed by Grewingk Glacier and numerous small glacial streams. The trail offers excellent views of the glacier and the surrounding area. The hike is suitable for families and can be completed in under 2 hours. It's recommended to begin at the Glacier Spit Trailhead in the morning when the beach is less exposed to wind and to finish at the Saddle Trailhead in the afternoon or evening for an easier pick-up.