Kodiak Island, the Jewel of Alaska-Is an Emerald Isle Off the Southwestern Coast of Alaska's

Kodiak Island, the jewel of Alaska-is an emerald isle off the southwestern coast of Alaska's mainland. Founded in 1792, Kodiak is Alaska's oldest and most historic, European community. The influences of 8,000 year-old Koniag and Aleut Native cultures, early Russian explorers, fur traders and the thriving commercial fishing industry are woven throughout Kodiak's character. The Kodiak Island Borough's 15,575 people are concentrated mostly around Kodiak while others live in one of the six villages around the edge of the island.

Kodiak is a modern city with a rich history. It sits in the middle of the world's most productive fishing grounds, making it Alaska's largest fishing port. Kodiak is a service base for fishing vessels in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea.

The Kodiak Island Archipelago is about 177 miles long and encompasses nearly 5,000 square miles. At 3,588 square miles, Kodiak Island is the largest in the group. Ten thousand years ago, most of the islands were covered by glaciers that scored and carved the landscape. Jagged mountain peaks, fjord-like bays and wide u-shaped valleys were left by the glacial retreat.

Nature's handiwork created a place of spectacular scenic beauty and a wilderness ideally suited for land, sea and marine life. Two-thirds of the island consists of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Close to 3,000 giant Kodiak brown bears make their home here, along with deer, fox, goat, sea lions, whales, salmon, crab and halibut. Sea otters and river otters grace the waterways with their playful antics. Eagles, puffins, cormorants, gulls and ducks are but a few of the feathered inhabitants of Kodiak.

Blessed with a temperate marine climate, Kodiak Island offers year round visitors year- round events and activities such as hiking and boating, fishing and hunting, scuba diving, flying, beachcombing, bird watching, sightseeing and photography.

Alutiiq Heritage Foundation 215 Mission Rd. Suite 101 Kodiak, AK 99615 ph: (907) 486-7004 Explore 7,500 years of Kodiak's cultural history at the Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository. The museum preserves the prehistoric and historic traditions of the Alutiiq people and promotes a greater public awareness of their rich cultural legacy.

Things To Do In Kodiak

Kodiak Archipelago with its many islands offering rocky cliffs, marshy lowlands and forests, presents abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. With more than 215 species of birds and over 20 species of marine mammals living in the waters around Kodiak.

Lush vegetation carpets the island making hiking a great experience,as well as biking. Visit the State Parks section for suggestions.

We have included suggestions on indoor activities for those lazy days or when the weather won't cooperate. There are also suggestions for the many available outdoor activities on those gorgeous sunny days we have. Scenic drives includes several drives with pictures that you can explore and then venture out on your own.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge section is full of useful information about the refuge. If you will be out and about please read Bear Facts so you will know what to do if you happen to meet our most famous resident.

100 Things To Do In Kodiak.

Get a Kodiak Map and a Kodiak Visitors Guide with the walking tour for your adventures!

1. Visit St. Paul Harbor & watch the boats 2. St. Herman Seminary -the chapel is a replica of the original Russian Orthodox Church built for St Herman's mission in 1795 4. Visit the Russian Cemetery 6. Visit the Alutiiq Museum 10. Walk the trails at Fort Abercrombie State Park 11. Drive to the end of the Monashka Bay road 12. Tide pooling at Fort Abercrombie 13. Watch the float planes at Trident Basin (Near Island) 15. Visit Northend Park (Near Island) 16. Watch the activity in the harbors from Near Island Bridge 17. Visit the Ferry Dock when the ferry is in and watch the people 18. See the Baranof Museum 19. Visit the Russian Orthodox Church 20. Visit the Alaska Fish & Game and look at the displays. 23. Watch the big boats at St. Herman Harbor 24. Walk the docks towards the end at St Herman Harbor and look for Steller Sea Lions 25. Visit the Coast Guard Base 26. Visit the Buskin River State Recreation Area 27. See the bears and eagle displays at the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge Headquarters 29. Drive to the top of Pillar Mountain for some great views 31. Visit the Fishery Industrial Technology Center (Near Island) 34. Visit the Jewel Beach at the Coast Guard Base 38. Visit the Kodiak Fishery Research Center (Near Island) 42. Have a day picnic at Fort Abercrombie 43. Visit the World War II Museum at Fort Abercrombie 53. Drive to the Anton Larsen Pass 57. Check out Kodiak's many varieties of flowers 59. Look for petroglyphs 62. For a flower fix visit Carrie at Red Dog Nursery 65. Visit the Army National Cemetery 66. Find the Old Russian Well 67. Find the Tsunami High Water Marker for the 64 earthquake and Tsunami. Hint: it involves the police. 74. Fabulous Fireworks at midnight on July 3rd 96. Ask around town about a pooping Moose....we have a few Kodiak State Parks & Recreation

Afognak Island State Park 25 air miles north Hiking, kayak, beaches, public use cabins, hunting and fishing.

Buskin River State Recreation Area 4.5 miles SW of Kodiak. Fishing, beach, hiking trails, picnicking facilities and camping.

Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park 3.7 east on Rezanof Former W.W.II army outpost, this 183 acre park holds many remnants from that period. Camping , beaches, hiking trails, picnicking facilities, historic and natural history displays.

Pasagshak State Recreation Area 40 miles south of Kodiak on the Pasagshak Road. Restrooms, beaches, picnicking and camping facilities.

Shuyak Island State Park 54 air miles north Hiking, kayak, beaches, public use cabins, hunting and fishing.

Woody Island SRS 2 miles east (by water) Kayak, beaches, hunting and fishing.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 1390 Buskin River Road 907-487-2600 The visitor center offers displays, films, information and reservations for eight public use cabins located in the refuge.

Hiking and Biking around Kodiak

Kodiak Maps are available and topo maps are at the sporting goods stores, pick one up to help out. Or check out the Audubon hikes if you don't want to tackle these alone.

March 2000. I will be putting up an online map with some picture to help locate these areas as soon as the weather warms and the snow melts.

Two public area, Fort Abercrombie (Alaska State Park) and Near Island Park (Kodiak Borough) have established trails. There are no other trails that are maintained. So if you are willing to park down the road and hunt for the trail head and have a wonderful time seeing some beautiful country, lets go.

Close to Town Near Island North End Park Take the Near Island Bridge and immediately at the end you will see the trail head and parking. Great views and beaches. Easy walking.

Pillar Mountain 2.5 miles one way, 1,300 ft. You can drive to the top but the road is poorly maintained. Or you can leave your car at the bottom and walk all the way up and back for some beautiful views or opt for half way and just do the steep part.

South of Town

Kodiak Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center has a short Nature Walk next to the center. Look for signs.

Buskin Beach and the lower Buskin River Just down the road past the Visitors Center.

Barometer Mountain 2500 ft. elevation, 1 to 2 hour climb if your legs donÂt give out. This is Kodiak's most popular mountain. Steep, straight well used trail leads up the NE ridge. At the end of the airport runway you will find a broad trail leading up the road bank into the brush, follow and old gravel road to the NE ridge of the mountain where the trail starts on your left. It leads steeply up through the brush but you will soon be out of the brush and see some great views.

Women's Bay Old Women's Mountain 2,563 ft to the top, 3 to 8 miles Great views of the bay and Kodiak city. About one third mile beyond the airport runway a gravel road will be on your right. There are Coast Guard signs indicating a Loran location. At the second fork in the road turn left and the road ends at the Loran Station in a parking lot, at the end you will find the trailhead. You will follow a military road and at the top there is a shallow lake. A four-wheeler road leads down the back side of the mountain to Burma Road. This will take you to Bell's Flats and then you can walk the paved road back.

Kashevaroff Mountain 2,300 ft., 6 miles round trip Past BellÂs Flats park your car at the Salonie Creek bridge. Walk back about 200 yards on your left you should see a four-wheeler trail after a little less than 2 miles you will get out of the brush and be rewarded with some beautiful views of Women's Bay and the interior of Kodiak Island. Bear country!

Heitman Mountain 2,300 ft., 1,000 ft. to the lake Around the southern end of Women's Bay as you reach the height of the other side. There is a small gravel area to park on the right side. This is a narrow trail with dense vegetation so donÂt get lost. Remember that compass and map. You will see the power line to Chiniak and then continue on to the lake. The lake is a good spot for trout fishing. It is another mile off to the right up to the top. Bear country!

Buskin River Valley and Anton Larsen Pass

Buskin Lake and Golf Course Not much here but a nice place to stroll around the lake. Bear country!

Pyramid Mountain 2,400 ft., 2 miles one way Past the golf course climbing Anton Larsen pass to the ski area (term used loosely). The trail begins at the right side of the parking lot. This trail gets steep but it is a wide open area so you should be able to find your way. Cascade Lake 2.5 miles one way, 600 ft. Drive till you reach Anton Larsen Bay and turn right onto a dirt road, this gets really muddy so donÂt go to far. You will cross red Cloud River. At the rocky bluff watch for low or high tide, you might have to detour a little for high tide. You will see a brushy hill at the edge of the bay with a trail that leads to the lake. The lake leads to a water fall.

North of Town

Fort Abercrombie Great short trails with beaches and well designated trails

Monashka Bay Drive on Rezanof past Fort Abercrombie and the dump and for another 8 miles or so to the end of the road. Nice beaches.

Termination Point Go down to the beach at the end of the road and then continue to the far end of the beach. You should find a trail there that follows the coastline. Following the edge of the cliffs, soon you will come to a beach and continue on to nearly the end. At a large old spruce tree you will see the trail pick up again. You will come to a second smaller beach, climb back into the forest and about a mile further you will come to open meadows leading to the end of the trail at Termination Point.

Monashka Mountain 1,800 ft. There is a well used four-wheeler trial at the end of the parking lot. At the forks stay to the left. After about a mile you will reach a beaver lake, stay to the left leaving the four-wheeler trail. Look for red streamers. Continue up into the forest entering meadows along the eastern ridge of the mountain. There are beautiful views at the top. Drive to Chiniak

Grab a map, camera and a picnic lunch and let's go.

Start at Marine Way and Rezanof at the blinking light and head south towards the airport. Pictures taken in March 2000.

Deadman's Curve

St. Herman's Harbor #1 View from Deadman's Curve at Gibson Cove (2.1 miles) and St Herman Harbor at Near Island.

Pyramid Barometer #2 Pyramid and Barometer are on your right. (3.8 miles).

#3 Buskin River Recreation Site and the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge are on your left. (4 miles). Anton Larsen Bay Road to your right and Airport turnoff is on your left (4 3/4 miles).

#4 Largest U.S. Coast Guard Station (6.3 miles) #5 Women's Bay. The Alex Hailey docked across the bay along with the bouy tenders the Firebush and the Ironwood (6.5 miles). Women's Bay #6 Sometimes Island. At low tide its not, at high tide it is! (7.5 miles).

#7 Fairgrounds and Rodeo arena (8.9 miles). Sometimes Island #8 End of paved road and the last gas and groceries (10.4 miles). #9 Salonie Creek, a bear hangout and good fishing site. (11.6 miles).

#10 Trail to Heitman Lake (13.9 miles). Center Mountain #11 Center Mountain 3,366 ft (17.6 miles).

#12 American River Bridge, great fishing (20.3 miles).

#13 Iron Gate Beach, site of former Russian brickyard (22.3 miles).

Iron Gate Beach

#14 Mayflower Beach (23.9).

Mayflower Beach #15 Kalsin Bay and the Marine Mountain Range (24.7).

#16 Pasagshak Road Junction. Left to Chiniak, right to Pasagshak (30.1 Marine Mountains & Kalsin Bay miles).

#17 Eagles waiting on the ice for a meal at Kalsin Pond (30.5 miles)

Kalsin Pond

#18 Looking back across the bay at Barometer and Pyramid. Looking towards town

#19 Thumbs-up Cove (34.1 miles).

Thumbs-up Rock

#20 Chiniak Post Office (34.3 miles).

#21 Roslyn Beach, great picnic area with a large beach (36 miles). Roslyn Beach

#22 View just before Twin Creeks Bridge (39.4 miles). Twin Creeks Area

#23 Roads End Restaurant, great burgers.

Roads End Restaurant

#25 Roads End view (41.6 miles).

#26 Chiniak Airstrip with WWII bunkers and gun sites. Roads End View That's the end of the Chiniak trip.