A volunteer crew works on a trail project in Kachemak Bay State Park.

A volunteer crew works on a trail project in Kachemak Bay State Park.

Celebrating Trails Day on Kachemak Bay

Many thanks to the Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park and our hard-working volunteers for making Trails Day a success!

On June 4, 36 volunteers — 8 trained volunteer leaders and 28 community volunteers — completed over 200 man-hours of work clearing brush, digging trail treads, and picking up trash along some of Kachemak Bay’s most beloved recreational areas. A group of 10 also participated in the family hike to Grewingk Glacier Lake, and a small HoWL group helped with ongoing work on the Saddle Trail.

On June 5, Homer Cycling Club also hosted a Homer-side Trails Day event, where 8 volunteers put in over 48 hours of work on the Diamond Creek Demo Trail.

Water Taxi transportation was donated by Mako’s Water Taxi, Homer Ocean Charters, Bay Excursions, True North Adventures, Ashore Water Taxi, and Red Mountain Marine, making it possible for Trails Day participants to get across the bay for only $20. It is always encouraging to see the continued community support and participation in Kachemak Bay State Park and our area’s well-loved trails.

The American Hiking Society-sponsored National Trails Day is America’s biggest annual celebration of trails! KBSP’s Trails Day events help improve access to KBSP trails as well as foster community engagement with local public lands.

Trail Work Summary:

South Grace Ridge: Cleared 5 downed and hazardous trees, conducted .25 miles of tread work, brushed 1 miles of heavily over grown trail

Coalition Trail: Cleared brush from trail corridor and cut back 12 downed or impeding trees and logs between coalition campground and Halibut Cove Lagoon

Sadie Knob: Cleared brush and 12+ downed or impeding trees between Otter Cove trailhead and Sadie knob

Glacier Spit Beach Cleanup: Gathered trash and marine debris from beach and upland between Rusty’s Lagoon and the end of Glacier Spit

HoWL Saddle Trail: Removed some encroaching brush along the Saddle Trail and helped remove stumps on the new Saddle Trail reroute

Kayak Beach: 6-person team built a new tent platform and made some campground improvements.

Diamond Creek: Cleared brush and made significant improvements to the Diamond Creek Demo Trail

For those who missed trails day — and for those who want more — further volunteer opportunities for trail work are available!

Call Volunteer Coordinator Hannah at 907-226-4689 or email kbayvolunteer@gmail.com for more information.

Upcoming work crews include:

July 15-17 — China Poot Lake overnight, brushing through Poot Peak South

TBA Saddle Trail, Tutka-Jakolof, Emerald Lake Loop overnight

A volunteer crew works on a trail project in Kachemak Bay State Park.

A volunteer crew works on a trail project in Kachemak Bay State Park.

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