Saw a black bear for fleeting second. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Grewingk Creek Tram: This is a hand-operated cable car pulley system. Videos, photos, and hundreds of expert advice articles. Grewingk Glacier is a 12.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Homer, Alaska that offers scenic views and is rated as difficult. Marine Wildlife on the way there, Glacial Lake with Glacier Ice Calves, Grewingk Glacier, Tram across Grewingk Creek. Zuerst mussten wir ca. Just hiked the Saddle Trail to the lake. The guide points out these features and more, continuing to tell a … A little over a mile in true glacier viewers will need to veer off towards the Tram Spur Trail, leading to the only way to safely cross over the fast moving glacial creek: the hand tram. easy clean trail kid friendly. We are avid hikers, so we did the all day hike out to the Grewingk Glacier - we took the water taxi across the bay, used the hand-powered tram to cross the river, then hiked up and over the big hill and all the way out to the glacier. Beautiful and easy trail. At mile 1 on the Grewingk Lake trail, you’ll come to a spur on your left leading to the Grewingk Tram. After 1.5 miles, the trail proceeds straight towards the lake on alluvial flats. Please try again. We arrived at Kachemak Bay State Park via water taxi on a bluebird day! The hand tram is well kept and the glacier is really breathtaking. Beautiful!! Grewingk Glacier Hike My friends, Dave and Lorraine from Ottawa , Ontario (formerly at Indiana State University ) visited in September. Plan your cruise, land tour, or custom package. The first section was through the woods, while the next section traversed over the glacial river basin area so the trail was rocky and the vegetation was primarily short, scrubby poplar trees. By Jay Barrett • Oct 13, 2020 Credit Alaska State Parks Alaska State Park Rangers reported a violent bear encounter Monday on the trail between the Grewingk Saddle Trail Junction and … Kachemak Bay State Park: Great hike to Grewingk Glacier - See 181 traveller reviews, 121 candid photos, and great deals for Homer, AK, at Tripadvisor. These cottonwoods are some of the largest in the park so take time to appreciate their enormous size. View Grewingk Glacier up close on the Blue Ice Trail. Please check your email to verify your subscription. The trails were well kept the entire way with only one blown down tree. 8 mile trek, good for a moderately skilled hiker. Filter. August 31st, 2017 | Taz Tally This 7-mile-long (one way) trail is the only trail to the Grewingk Glacier. The final stretch of trail heads through a heavy alder section before spitting you out on the lake shore for your spectacular views. It is one of the easiest hikes in the park as the trail is well maintained, and you can't beat the view of the glacier at the lake. The tram spans the glacier river: After the tram the trail begins a steady climb up about 500 feet up a little knoll. You may want … This trail, hands down, is one of the most popular hikes in the Kachemak Bay State Park. Keep food in bear proof containers or with you. This trail crosses flat terrain, through stands of cottonwoods and spruce, and across the dry outwash plain of Grewingk Glacier. For the first 1.5 miles, the trail meanders through mixed cottonwood and Sitka spruce. That one was too close for comfort. The Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway brings you to a viewing deck which provides breath-taking panoramic views of mountains, glaciers, streams, and an array of wildlife, plus access to myriad hiking trails. Very dusty now as there has been no precipitation. This trail offers superb views of the glacier and its surrounding peaks. Read reviews in English Go back. State Park Rangers have reported that a violent bear encounter occurred yesterday between the Grewingk Saddle Trail Junction and the Glacier Lake Trail Tram. The Glacier Lake Trail follows flat terrain through stands of cottonwoods & spruce, and across the dry outwash plain of Grewingk Glacier. There was a problem with your submission. Like most hikes in Kachemak Bay, you will need to schedule a water taxi to gain access to the trailhead. Beautiful. You may even see a bear and other mammal life. My friend and I couldn’t stop gushing over the vibrant summertime colors and breathtaking scenery. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Explore thing to do in Homer at the “End of the Road”. Very flat most of the way except the last section (saddle trail). Not only will nature here blow you away here but we only saw 2 other groups camping the entire weekend despite it being a national holiday which means you’ll have this place virtually to yourse The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. The hike out over saddleback was steep up and then very steep down towards the beach. She was off trail about 10 yards. That part of the trail was very narrow with high brush on both sides. Wonderful easy trail. This trail offers superb views of the glacier and its surrounding peaks. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. This trail, hands down, is one of the most popular hikes in the Kachemak Bay State Park. The tram was exactly a mile away and boy was it a sight to behold. what an amazing place. Rather exciting for avid hikers but don’t try this if you aren’t in shape! Cubs scattered up the tree. The other branch is the Grewingk Glacier Trail. The glacier has retreated three miles in some 35 years and left a freshly scoured landscape yet to be taken over by foliage. Glacier Lake Trail, Grewingk Tram and Saddle Trail is a 16.3 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Homer, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. It took us 4.5 hours to do all the trails at a normal walking pace, but we relaxed at the glacier for a long time and walked around the lake quite a bit too. Very well maintained and the new reconstructed trail from lake , over saddle through mixed forest, to halibut cove (where the water taxi will pick up) is pristine. If … The tram crosses the Grewingk river, and lets you access trails on the N. side of Grewingk flats. Kachemak Bay State Park: Great hike to Grewingk Glacier - See 181 traveller reviews, 121 candid photos, and great deals for Homer, AK, at Tripadvisor. It ends at the broad, open beaches of Grewingk Glacier Lake. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. We saw a bear on the glacier trail and it eventually just walked slowly away. Kachemak Bay State Park, Homer Picture: The tram across the river - Check out Tripadvisor members' 8,880 candid photos and videos. Alaska State Park Rangers reported a violent bear encounter Monday on the trail between the Grewingk Saddle Trail Junction and the Glacier Lake Trail Tram. Our favorite so far on our eight-day Alaskan road trip. I would recommend this trail to anyone that wants to be “blown away “ when they get to the glacial lake!! Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. This trail crosses the glacial river via a hand pulled tram and ends at the edge of Grewingk Glacier. At 2.7 miles you pass the Saddle Trail junction. At 2.7 miles you pass the Saddle Trail junction. This trail will lead you over to Halibut Cove where you will most likely be picked up by your water taxi. Fantastic well maintained trail! Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. There were reports that she’s guarding the trail, so just be cautious. For the first 1.5 miles, the trail meanders through mixed cottonwood and Sitka spruce. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? Schedule a kayak paddle on the lake with a local guide or base here and hike to the glacier or Alpine Ridge. Things got interesting when we arrived at the tram. We saw no bears on the Glacier Lake or tram spur trails and minimal scat until very close to the lake. Enjoy lounging on the beach, watching icebergs or exploring up the beach looking for wildlife (the occasional black bear has been spotted along the trail). Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Dort war der Startpunkt des Grewingk Glacier Trial, der uns zu dem Grewingk Glacier führte. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. so beautiful Date of experience: June 2013 Ask cheribree2016 about Kachemak Bay State Park The Tram: the tram holds a maximum of 2 people with packs. Kachemak State Park is a short water taxi from Homer and home to Grewingk Lake, our campsite after a flat 3-mile trail from the beach. The walk to the tram is very flat and not much to see. This was a beautiful hike. A park ranger instructed us toward the Saddle Trail which would lead us to Grewingk Glacier Lake with views of Grewingk Glacier. The view of Halibut Lagoon while climbing up the Saddle Trail. Hike to a mountain glacier, take a kayak tour, or just relax and enjoy the scenery of Kachemak Bay. Leaving the forest, the trail opens onto the outwash plain of Grewingk Glacier. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. only accessible by boat. The trail is well-maintained and marked. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. It is one of the easiest hikes in the park as the trail is well maintained, and you can't beat the view of the glacier at the lake. At mile 2.4, the trail crosses the 250-foot Grewingk Creek in a narrow channel of bedrock. Completed on 8/12/2020 and we went pretty late in the day - definitely the last pickup from our water taxi. Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map. Only the saddle trail portion was steep. The lake was beautiful and the views of the glacier were fantastic. Car, train, or group tour. The trails are mostly flat (unless you get dropped off at the the Saddle Ridge entrance, which would be a steeper set of switchbacks). Is this trail kid friendly? Lots of bears and tons of scat on trail. The tram is suspended on cables, and is operated by hand. a must do! The beginning of trail is on level, but rocky terrain. There's a gradual ascent until the trail opens up onto the gravel out wash plain of Grewingk glacier, where you'll hike through low cottonwood/spruce vegetation. Make sure you take the self powered tram over the river from Grewingk Glacier. Be prepared for sore arms; using the tram is a real upper body work out. It’s nice to have two (or more) people to operate it, as it is somewhat heavy. Spectacular hike. While hiking, give them their space if encountered. You can camp at Rusty's Lagoon, at Rusty's Campsite (watch for the short Spur Trail less than half a mile in), or backpack in and camp on the beach at Glacier Lake. Cost a pretty penny to get to the park but the trail was well worth it. Operation may require two people. All reviews saddle trail grewingk glacier great hike water taxi icebergs floating hand tram kachemak bay floating ice lots of water halibut cove gorgeous park marked trail shorter hike black beans sea otters easy hike hiking boots . We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. These cottonwoods are some of the largest in the park so take time to appreciate their enormous size. This trail, hands down, is one of the most popular hikes in the Kachemak Bay State Park. Which one is right for you? 10 ft max by the time she stood up and started grunting. Black Bears: Multiple individuals have been sighted in the Grewingk Valley along the Glacier Lake, Grewingk Tram, and Saddle Trails, and at Grewingk Lake on the southern end where people camp. The tram can only hold up to 500 lbs, and is best for two average sized people at once. That was right after the switchbacks on Saddle trail. Came across a black bear about a half mile before the glacier lake. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). Saw plenty of bear scrat but no bears. Trail Description: A popular loop route joined by the Saddle and Glacier Lake Trails. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. Loved it! We did come across bears twice. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. The hike to Grewingk lake is flat and was sunny and hot on the day we went, but worth it. The final stretch of trail heads through a heavy alder section before spitting you out on the lake shore for your spectacular views. Overwhelmed by choices? Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Beautiful trails. Doable with little ones in a backpack. Camping here is an ideal Alaskan experience. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. A family with dogs and children were hiking along the trail when a black bear sow emerged from the bushes behind the group and charged toward a child in a predatory manner. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from May until October. Soooo the hike in was super easy! When we arrived at the first trail sign, we opted to take the path to the Grewingk Tram — as per our taxi driver’s suggestion — and headed straight. The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Explore thing to do in Homer at the “End of the Road”. This hike was absolutely stunning! Maximum weight of 2 persons with packs or 500 pounds (227 kg). Awesome clear day and beautiful shining glacier. Beautiful flat trail in, switchbacks out down the saddle view trail. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. Saw a mama and baby black bear in the trail, not at all scared of people. Did you know Grewingk Glacier is named after Constantin Grewingk? This hike generally takes 1.5-2 hrs each way. The Grewingk Tram Spur Trail leaves the forest and takes you across a glacial plain. An absolute must if you’re in Homer/Kachemak Bay Area. Discover Alaska's best destinations and excursions. For the first 1.5 miles, the trail meanders through mixed cottonwood and Sitka spruce. Beautiful vistas and icebergs at lake. Hiked to Grewingk Glacier, with a short diversion to the river tram. Selected filters. 2-5 day small ship explorations. You'll pass a junction at about mile 1.2 that leads to the Tram Trail; stay on the Glacier Lake Trail at this point. we saw at least 6 bears plus a Sow with 2 Cubs, a couple were within 40 ft. recommend packing a pistol. 7-10 days is the most common. After pulling the dingy up the beach above the high tide mark, with camera gear and bear protection in hand, we began our hike toward Grewingk Glacier. Beautiful views! The trail was quite overgrown in areas so it felt like wading through the grass and the pace slowed. Kachemak Bay State Park: Traveled to the Grewingk glacier on the "easy" trail - See 181 traveller reviews, 121 candid photos, and great deals for Homer, AK, at Tripadvisor. We haven’t done that hike yet. We took Mako’s Water Taxi across Kachemak Bay to hike the Grewingk Glacier trail and cross the glacier river via hand-pulled tram. Shortly after the trail splits the forest starts to give way to the oldest of the many moraines. According to an announcement, a family with dogs and children were hiking along the trail when a black bear sow emerged from the bushes behind the group and charged toward a child in what was reportedly a predatory manner. Glacier Lake Trail, Grewingk Tram and Saddle Trail is a 10.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Homer, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Starting at the Glacier Spit Trailhead, you'll enter mixed old growth forest. The first 2.5 miles from the Glacier Spit to the tram were fairly smooth on a hard-packed trail. Go to the official website (info is under the Grewingk Glacier Trail description) to be familiar with its operation. Hike to a mountain glacier, take a kayak tour, or just relax and enjoy the scenery of Kachemak Bay. It is one of the easiest hikes in the park as the trail is well maintained, and you can't beat the view of the glacier at the lake. Absolutely – this trail is an easy, well beaten trail that is a fun day hike for ALL ages! Self-drive vacations. Privies are available at the trailhead and the lake. Hike to Grewingk Glacier Hi Blog! The glacier lake is beautiful. Recommend adding on the Alpine Ridge trail to make it worthwhile. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? We did see some fresh bear scat on the trails, so make sure you have some bells, spray, and lots of conversation/singing! Amenities include a gym, full spa, boutique, and four restaurants, including the four-diamond Seven Glaciers.