Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Location: Port Alsworth, AK
Length: 40 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: kayaking, rafting, fishing, hiking and camping, sport hunting, Ala, bear watching, black bears, brown bears, birds of prey, terrestrial mammals

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

It is found 100 miles to the southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.

In 1980, it was named a national park and preserve. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, located in Port Alsworth, Alaska, spans over 4 million acres of pristine wilderness, accessible only by small aircraft or boat, with no road access.

This remote park, encompassing the Chigmit Mountains, two active volcanoes (Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna), glaciers, rainforests, alpine tundra, and the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world, offers a diverse range of activities including kayaking, rafting, fishing, hiking, camping, sport hunting (in the preserve), bear watching, and wildlife viewing.

The park is home to 37 terrestrial mammal species (e.g., brown and black bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves), 187 bird species (e.g., bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons), and marine mammals like seals and beluga whales. The 40-mile Telaquana Route, a historic trail used by the Dena’ina people, is the park’s most notable backcountry route, offering moderate difficulty and stunning views of mountains, lakes, and boreal forests.

Port Alsworth, the main hub, features a visitor center, lodging, raft rentals, and the Tanalian Trails network, the only maintained trails in the park.

Other Trails and Attractions in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

The park is largely trail-less, with the Tanalian Trails near Port Alsworth being the only developed trail system. Most exploration requires backcountry skills or guided tours. Below are key trails and attractions:

1. Tanalian Trails Network (Port Alsworth):

   • Length: Varies (2.5–5.5 miles for individual trails)
   • Difficulty: Easy to moderate
   • Features: This network includes three main trails:
     • Tanalian Falls Trail (4 miles round trip, moderate): Leads to scenic Tanalian Falls with views of Lake Clark and surrounding mountains.
     • Beaver Pond Trail (3.2 miles round trip, easy): A gentle loop through forests with golden birch trees, ideal for fall hikes and wildlife spotting, though buggy.
     • Kontrashibuna Lake Trail (5.5 miles round trip, moderate): Extends past Tanalian Falls to a serene mountain lake, requiring some wayfinding skills.
   • Best For: Day hikers, families, and those seeking accessible trails.

2. Tanalian Mountain Trail:

   • Length: ~4 miles round trip
   • Difficulty: Difficult
   • Features: A steep, unmaintained trail from Port Alsworth to alpine tundra, offering panoramic views of Lake Clark, Tanalian Mountain, and surrounding peaks. Requires wayfinding skills and at least 8 hours for the hike.
   • Best For: Experienced hikers seeking expansive views.

3. Portage Creek Trail:

   • Length: 3.25 miles point-to-point
   • Difficulty: Moderate
   • Features: Starts near Joe Thompson Public Use Cabin, accessible by boat or floatplane, and travels through birch and spruce forests into alpine tundra. Offers chances to spot bears or Dall sheep.
   • Best For: Hikers with access to water transport.

4. Hope Creek Trail:

   • Length: Varies (several miles)
   • Difficulty: Moderate
   • Features: Begins at the primitive Hope Creek campground, following the creek’s valley. Offers opportunities to see bears and Dall sheep in a scenic valley setting.
   • Best For: Backcountry hikers and wildlife enthusiasts.

5. Dick Proenneke’s Cabin (Upper Twin Lakes):

   • Description: A historic site where naturalist Richard Proenneke lived from 1968 to 1999, featured in One Man’s Wilderness. Accessible by floatplane or boat, the cabin is open in summer with rangers sharing Proenneke’s story. Nearby trails like the 1-mile Teetering Rock Trail and 4.5-mile Eye of the Needle Viewpoint offer scenic hikes.
   • Best For: History buffs and those seeking a cultural wilderness experience.

6. Crescent Lake:

   • Description: A turquoise lake renowned for fishing (salmon, trout) and bear viewing (June–August). Accessible by floatplane, it’s a prime spot for kayaking and photography, though camping is discouraged due to bear activity. Lodges like Redoubt Bay Lodge offer guided experiences.
   • Best For: Anglers, kayakers, and bear viewers.

7. National Wild Rivers (Chilikadrotna, Tlikakila, Mulchatna):

   • Description: These rivers offer Class III–IV rapids for rafting, kayaking, and packrafting, with stunning scenery and wildlife. Rafts can be rented in Port Alsworth or Anchorage, with float trips requiring careful planning.
   • Best For: Experienced paddlers and adventure seekers.

8. Bear Viewing at Silver Salmon Creek and Chinitna Bay:

   • Description: Coastal areas with dense brown bear populations feeding on salmon and clams, ideal for guided day tours or multi-day lodge stays. Less crowded than Katmai’s Brooks Camp, offering a more intimate experience.

Top 3 Adventure Hacks

1) Plan for Remote Access and Safety

• Why: The park’s lack of roads and limited infrastructure (no cell service, few trails) requires thorough preparation. Access via floatplane from Anchorage, Kenai, or Homer (1–2 hours) or boat from Cook Inlet is weather-dependent, and backcountry travel demands wilderness skills. Bears are prevalent, especially during salmon runs (July–August). 
• How: Book air taxis or guided tours 6–12 months in advance, especially for bear viewing or lodging (e.g., Redoubt Bay Lodge, Lake Clark Lodge). Leave an itinerary with the Port Alsworth Visitor Center or a contact for safety. Carry bear spray, store food securely, and follow bear safety guidelines (e.g., give bears right-of-way, stay 100 yards away). Bring navigation tools (topo map, compass, GPS) and weather-appropriate gear (rain gear, layers for sub-Arctic conditions). Check tide and weather conditions for coastal access.

2) Maximize Wildlife Viewing with Guided Tours

• Why: Lake Clark is renowned for brown bear viewing at Silver Salmon Creek, Chinitna Bay, and Crescent Lake (June–September), with up to 30 bears in tidal marshes during salmon runs. Other wildlife includes moose, caribou, wolves, and birds of prey like bald eagles. Guided tours provide safe, expert-led access to remote areas.
• How: Book a bear-viewing day tour from Anchorage, Homer, or Port Alsworth with operators like Alaska Air Service or Trail Ridge Air (5–7 hours, including scenic flights). For multi-day experiences, stay at lodges like Redoubt Bay Lodge, which offer pontoon boat tours for bear viewing and fishing. Bring binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens for wildlife photography. Visit during peak bear season (July–August) for the best sightings, and check with the Port Alsworth Visitor Center for current wildlife activity.

3) Explore Tanalian Trails for Accessible Adventure:

• Why: The Tanalian Trails near Port Alsworth are the only maintained trails, offering easy-to-moderate hikes with stunning views of Lake Clark, Tanalian Falls, and Kontrashibuna Lake. They’re ideal for day hikers or those new to wilderness exploration, with opportunities to spot wildlife like bears or eagles.
• How: Start at the Port Alsworth Visitor Center, where you can pick up trail maps and borrow an all-terrain wheelchair if needed. Hike the Tanalian Falls Trail (4 miles) for a scenic waterfall or extend to Kontrashibuna Lake (5.5 miles) for a longer adventure. Pack bug spray for the buggy Beaver Pond Trail and start early to avoid crowds. For a challenging day hike, tackle Tanalian Mountain for panoramic views, but bring wayfinding tools as the trail fades into tundra. Combine with a kayak or raft rental from Port Alsworth for a multi-activity day.

Additional Notes:

• Permits: No backcountry permits are required, but a state fishing license is needed for angling. Sport hunting is allowed in the preserve, not the park.
• Camping: Backcountry camping is allowed anywhere except private or native land, but a private campground is available in Port Alsworth (Tulchina Adventures). Public-use cabins are at Hope Creek and Upper Twin Lakes.
• Cultural Significance: Respect the Dena’ina people’s ancestral lands, including sites like the Kijik Archeological District. Visit the Port Alsworth Visitor Center for cultural exhibits.
• Resources: Check www.nps.gov/lacl for trip planning, commercial operators, and safety guidelines. Contact the Port Alsworth Field Headquarters (907-781-2218) for updates.