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Caines Head State Recreation Area - Seward, Alaska 1-Day Historic Fort McGilvray Caines Head Hike and Sea Kayaking Tour Departing From Seward  This is a full-day Alaska sea kayaking and hiking adventure departing from Seward. Our 1 day Caines Head hiking and Alaska sea kayaking trip includes a short water taxi ride to North Beach at Caines Head. From here a 2 mile hike takes us to historic Fort McGilvray. The battery once housed two six-inch guns. As we hike up to the fort we'll explore the remains of the old ammunition magazines and the bog meadows with their unique forms of plant life. At Fort McGilvray we'll investigate the maze of underground passages and rooms by flashlight. Looking out from the fort are incredible sweeping vista of Recreation Bay and the Gulf of Alaska.Caines Head State Recreation Area is the site of the abandoned World War II Fort McGilvray. During World War II with Japan's invasion of Attu and Kiska Island on the Alaska Aleutian Islands, Seward and Alaska would see a construction boom with much of Alaska road system being built and the building of the Alaska Railroad. The importance of Seward's Resurrection Bay was soon realized. It was a strategically located ice-free deepwater bay that would become an important supply center for Interior Alaska.  After the historic Caines Head hike we return to North Beach and launch our sea kayaks to explore the coastline as we sea kayak back to the town of Seward. While sea kayaking Resurrection Bay coastline, our naturalist guides will share the rich national history with you while viewing the jagged cliffs, seabirds, marine wildlife and alpine glaciers. Often seen are sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, seabirds, bald eagles, jumping salmon and occasionally we see whales that venture into the bay. While sea kayaking we'll pass Tonsina Point's ghost forest, a remnant of the 1964 earthquake. Alaska's 1964 earthquake was the largest quake recorded in North America. The ground at Tonsina Point sank exposing the tree roots to saltwater, killing the trees but preserving the standing trees. If the tides are right we might be able to paddle up into the month of Tonsina Creek to see the spawning salmon. Compare The Differences You'll see why Backcountry Safaris is your best choice.
OVERVIEW
Tour Type: Hiking, Sea Kayaking, Wildlife Viewing Difficulty: Moderate Prior Experience: None  Departing from Seward our 1 day Caines Head hiking and Alaska sea kayaking trip includes a short water taxi ride to North Beach at Caines Head, a 2 mile hike to the historic World War II Fort McGilvray. At Fort McGilvray we'll investigate the maze of underground passages and rooms. Looking out from the fort are incredible sweeping vista of Recreation Bay and the Gulf of Alaska.After the historic Caines Head hike we return to North Beach and launch our sea kayaks to explore the coastline as we sea kayak back to the town of Seward. Often seen are sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, seabirds, bald eagles, jumping salmon and occasionally we see whales that venture into the bay.
SAMPLE ITINERARY**
Trip Planning - Seward, Alaska is just 125 miles south of Anchorage. You can reach Seward by road or on the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic Train. If you need help with transportation Backcountry Safaris would be happy to package bus or Alaska Railroad transportation to Seward as well as overnight lodging in Seward if needed.  At 9:00 a.m. we load our sea kayaks and gear onto the water taxi for a short ride to Caines Head. After securing our kayaks and gear above the high tide line we'll hike up to Fort McGilvray. At the fort we'll explore the maze of underground passages and rooms. Outside the fort we'll eat lunch and enjoy the sweeping vistas of Resurrection Bay and the Gulf of Alaska.
After lunch, hike back down to North Beach where our guides will teach you some basic sea kayaking skills before we sea kayak back to Seward. While sea kayaking back to Seward we'll probe the nooks and crags along the coastline and look for wildlife.
MAPS
Kenai Fjords National Park Map See All The Kenai Fjords Maps Available RELATED LINKS AND NATURAL HISTORY World War II Activities in Resurrection Bay Caines Head State Recreation Area Kenai Fjords Wildlife Kenai Fjords National Park Cultural Resources Kenai Fjords Glaciers - Glacial Features Harding Icefield The Retreat of Exit Glacier A Tour of the Life of a Glacier Iceberg Sizes, Shapes And Classifications Hypothermia, Cold Water Immersion Wildlife Whale Watching Glacier Cruise SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and Frank Norris Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords  by David MillerKenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map  Alaska: A Novel  by James A. MichenerAlaska: A History of the 49th State  by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. SlotnickGuide to the Birds of Alaska  by Robert H. ArmstrongWild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska  by John G. S. TrelawnyComing into the Country by John McPhee Travels in Alaska by John Muir  Did You Know? Aialik (eye-Al-ick) is an Alutiiq (coastal Eskimo) word. The translation for Aialik means "eerie" or "dangerous." In Kenai Fjords National Park there are 3 places named Aialik, Cape Aialik, Aialik Glacier and Aialik Bay.
Limitations of liability: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins. A copy of the text is available on request. |
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