Kachemak Bay State Park issued its first Trails Report of the season this week. But trails are still mostly buried in snow, says Trails Specialist Eric Clarke. No one should plan for a trip to the park, he says, without bringing their snowshoes or skis. Clarke spoke with KBBI's Kathleen Gustafson to talk about which trails are passable this weekend.
Check the Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park website to see the weekly trails report.
For maps and information about facilities in the park, go the the Kachemak Bay State Park website.
To get on Clarke's weekly email list and receive a trails report, email eric.clarke@alaska.gov.
Transcript
Clarke
"Right now, I would say the snow line is probably about a hundred feet. And that also depends upon the aspect of the slope, how steep the slope is, what the winter canopy cover is of the forest. Like in an alder patch, you're going to have more snow. If you're like down in Tutka Bay, in the forest.
The snow, at least like down in Tutka Bay, where I was yesterday is becoming punchy in places going knee to thigh deep. We do recommend snowshoes and skis for anybody that wants to really get out and go up in elevation because that's probably the only way you're going to be able to travel.
The Halibut Cove Lagoon ramp is going down this Friday. And so people will be able to tie up to the dock and not have to dinghy to the shore. They'll be able to go up the ramp.
KBBI
Are there trails that are open and some that are closed that you can name?
Clarke
Yeah, I can give some highlights, the Grewingk Valley is getting toward the point where people will be able to hike that. Maybe bringing snow shoes. And, the China Poot Lake trail, the flooded area at mile two, out by the cabin, as things melt that will more than likely be flooded again and possibly impassable.
There is, though, a bridge that was built last year that is located upstream from where the existing trail will meet the flooded area. This bridge only crosses, though, the main channel and they will be wading up to probably mid-thigh on both ends until stuff starts receding again.
One of the things I do want people to know is you got to expect snow and that bears are beginning to wake up. You know, the bears, especially in Grewink Valley are more human habituated. Large groups do not scare them off, especially if cubs are involved.
We ask the public to back away the direction you came till they, or out of sight and wait until they move off the trail. This could take 20 to 30 minutes possibly longer if they show signs of stress with human activity.
The signs of stress could be like moaning, huffing, woofing, jaw popping, stomping, even as extreme as following people. Make sure that you keep food stuff contained and with you at all times.
KBBI
When people go over to recreate in the park, where do you send them to get things like maps and information from the park?
Clarke
Usually it seems like the water taxis are the first contact with all that. At this point where our offices are at Islands and Ocean, unfortunately they are closed, still, to the public.
