Kenai Peninsula Borough

Preliminary

Trail Needs List

June 1, 1998

Kenai Peninsula Borough
144 N. Binkley St.
Soldotna, AK 99669

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH TRAILS COMMISSION

PRELIMINARY TRAIL NEEDS LIST 

 

The following is a preliminary list of trails and trail needs in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The proposed improvements were identified by borough residents during the KPB Trails Commission meetings held over the past year, in the 1992 KPB Trail Plan, or during SCORP meetings held on the Kenai Peninsula. The list includes both existing and proposed trails with and without dedicated public access. Chugach National Forest trails, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge trails, and State of Alaska trails located near communities are also included. Some trails are listed under more than one community. 

No effort has been made to prioritize the trail needs identified in the following list. The list is arranged by community or region as follows:

The KPB Trails Commission proposes to further develop this list and, with input from communities, rank the proposals to determine priority trail needs in Borough communities. The ranking scheme has yet to be developed, but could include criteria such as demonstrated community support, connectivity, safety, benefits to the community, population to be served, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impacts. An Annual KPB Trail Needs and Priorities List is to be forwarded to the KPB Planning Commission and Assembly for approval.  

Comments on specific trails, trail needs, and additions to the list are encouraged.

A comment form is located at the end of the document. Comments regarding trails and trails needs may be submitted at any time. Written comments may be mailed to KPB Planning Department, 144 North Binkley St., Soldotna, AK 99669, or faxed to 262-8618, or e-mailed to planning@borough.kenai.ak.us

 

 ANCHOR POINT AREA

 

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
ABC Trail (AP I B) New trail proposal – from Chapman school to Anchor Point Beach – corridor needed – trailhead proposed
Anchor Point Critical Habitat Area Needs improved access
Anchor River Trail (AP I D 2 Old N. Fork ROW over Anchor River – no bridge – winter river crossing – year round public river crossing needed
Beach access Several used without legal public access
Caribou Hills Pioneer loop
Chakok Historic Trail (AP I E) Historic native route / trailhead needed/ private and Borough land /public access needed
Cook Inlet Beach
Deep Creek State Recreation Area Beach Access
Diamond Creek Gulch Beach access, EVOS purchase, potential for outdoor ed. Programs, potential visitor trail, primitive camping
Diamond Creek to Anchor Point Proposed coastal trail / most of route is State land
Elton’s Ridge Trail
Happy Creek Falls (AP II D) Dedicated public access needed
Happy Valley Trail
Happy Valley Trail Public access dedication needed / mainly snomachine trail
HEA transmission line Need access dedication
Homestead Trail
Homestead Trail Public access dedication needed
Iliamna Meadow Trail Dedication status unknown
Knob Hill Trail Trailhead needed / borough land / provides access to Caribou Hills region
Ledger’s Lake Trail State and private land / access dedication needed/ trailhead needed
Milo Fritz-Sand Road (AP II E ) Connection between residential area and beach
MP 159 (AP I D 3) Connector between highway and HEA easement used as local trail
Nikolaevsk Spur Trail Public access dedication needed
Ninilchik Dome Trail Public access dedication needed
North Fork Loop
North Shore Anchor River (AP II A ) Beach Access/ dedication status unknown/ need trailhead
Silver King State Recreation Area Beach Access

 

Sterling Highway Need sidewalks and pedestrian access in town
Troublesome Ski Trail Trailhead needed / State and possibly Borough land / dedication needed
Twitter Creek Ridge State, Borough, and private land ownership/ need public access dedication/ need trailhead
Twitter Creek Ridge Needs dedicated public access/ Borough, State, and private land
Watermelon Trail Public access dedication needed
Whiskey Gulch

(AP II C)

Beach Access, needs maintenance, improvements

 

COMMUNITY CONNECTORS

TRAIL OR FACILITY

RECOMMNEDATIONS AND COMMENTS

Anchor Point to Ninilchik Roadside trail
Cooper Landing to Tern Lake Pedestrian and Bicycle access

 

Hope "Y" to Portage Pedestrian and bicycle access
Hope to Homer Proposed new backcountry trail
Ninilchik to Clam Gulch Roadside trail

 

Ninilchik to Homer Trail with public use cabin half way
Seward to Moose Pass Pedestrian and Bicycle access
Skilak Lake to Cooper Landing Roadside Trail
Sterling to Skilak Lake Raodside trail
Summit Lake to Turnagain Pass Improved pedestrian and bicycle access (currently paved shoulder)
Tern Lake to Moose Pass Improved access (currently paved shoulder)
Tern Lake to Summit Pass Improved pedestrian and bicycle access (currently paved shoulder)
Turnagain Pass to Hope Y Pedestrian and bicycle access (portion to be completed with Canyon Creek Trail)

 

 

 

 

COOPER LANDING

 

TRAIL OR FACILITY COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Abandoned highway ROW Develop and manage trail from Tern Lake Picnic area to Crescent Creek Trail
Art Anderson Trail Trailhead needed / possible dedication needed
Bean Creek Trailhead needed/ multiple land ownership/ signage
Birch Hill Ski trails on borough land / public access dedication needed/ management agreement needed
Business District Bikepath Needed for safety and transportation access
Cooper Creek Trail Borough selection along trail
Cooper Lake Trail Possible dedication needed through borough land
Coyote Notch Public access dedication needed / borough and federal land / potential accommodation with residential development
Coyote Ridge Potential new ski trails/ multiple land ownership
Dry Creek Proposed new trail through borough land to USFS land
Golden Eagle Trail
Juneau Bench Trails USFS trails / need formal dedication (?)
Kenai River Nature Trail By Princess Lodge - existing
Quartz Creek Trail Borough selection along trail, possible separation of motorized-non motorized needed
Rainbow Lake Trail State Land / management (?)
Raven’s Run Trail
Resurrection Pass Trail Potential for change if highway relocated
Russian Gap USFS/ Borough agreement needed – potential residential development in area – multi-use trail area/ multiple land ownerships
Russian River Trail

 

Sterling Highway Pedestrian access (current safety path has possible dedication problems)
Stetson Mine Trail Borough and State Land / public access dedication needed

 

 

FUNNY RIVER

TRAIL OR FACILITY COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION
Airport Mushing Trails
Chamber Trail
Cook's Trail
Funny River Horse Trail KNWR Trail
Funny River Road Safety/ multiple use trail along roadway
Funny River State Recreation Area Riverfront trail
Hanson’s Horse Trail KNWR Trail
HEA Powerline
Killey River Trail
Moosehorn Trail KNWR Trail
Old Funny River Road
Refuge Boundary Trail
Winter Trail to Coal Creek Lake KNWR Trail

 

 

 

GREATER HOMER AREA

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Airport Beach Access existing
Baycrest Hill Connect pedestrian access to other trails

Connect to Roger’s Loop

Baycrest Ski Trails Expand trailhead, need appropriate land classification / State Land
Beach access (general) Need parking and signage at beach access routes
Beluga Lake to Bishop Beach West half under construction
Boxcar Hills Loop Dedicated Public access needed / Native Association land/
Calvin & Coyle Trail
Caribou Dome Trail Snomobile trail/ need dedication of trail on public land
Caribou Hills Trails Need trailhead parking on East Road
Caribou Lake Subdivision Trail Seismic trail through State Subdivision / need dedicated access on State and private land
Center Plateau Trail Possible dedicated access needed / seismic trail
Circle Lake Road Trailhead needed for snowmachine access to Caribou Hill needed
Cottonwood-Eastland Beach access trail, connect to McNeil Canyon
Crossman Ridge Trail Dedicated public access needed or relocate
Cytex Creek Trail
Diamond Creek Beach Access – existing
Diamond Creek Trail Connect to Sterling Highway and on to Baycrest
Dry Hole Trail Public access needed / State and Borough Land / snowmo trail
Eagle Lake-Caribou Lake Trail Continuous public access needed / Borough land
East End Road Pedestrian and Bicycle access needed
East Hill – Shellfish – Mountainview Pedestrian access needed, city of Homer
Fairview to Reber Street Continuous dedicated public access needed
Fairweather Route Snowmobile route/ dedicated public access needed on Borough and State land
Falls Creek Beach Access – existing
Fox River Flats Trail Dedicated Public access needed, private land involved
Gold Hill Trail Dedicated Public access needed / seismic trail
Goober Lake Trail State land / Caribou Hills area
HEA Powerline Need dedicated public access and bridges
Homer City Trails Need more commuter trails
Homer High School Trail
Homer Jr. High trail
Homestead Heritage Trail 9 miles – KHLT
Homestead Trail (Rucksack Trail)
Hornaday Park Trail
Kachemak Drive
Kilcher Beach Trail 1.5 miles – proposed per conservation easement plan
Lake Street In city limits
Lookout Mountain Ski Trails Need trailhead, appropriate classification, management agreement
Lower Soundview to W. Fairview City of Homer
Mary Lane Pedestrian access only/ trail may need to be relocated into easement/ use restriction enforcement needed / check for continuity of dedication
McNeil Canyon – Lookout Mountain – Baycrest Ski club proposal to connect existing recreational trail areas with non-motorized trail route
McNeil School Trails Need management agreement between Nordic Ski Club and Borough, need trailhead, need recreation classification
MCNeil Snowmobile Trail Borough, private, and State land / continuous public access needed
Mile 12 East Road (McNeil Canyon) Trailhead needed for snowmachine access to Caribou Hill needed
Mile 17 East Road Trailhead for snowmachine access to Caribou Hill needed
Ocean Drive In city limits
Ohlson Mt. Trail Continuous dedicated public access needed
Paul Banks School Trail Need boardwalks, need right-of-way

 

Reber Trail
Sewer Line Trail City to Ben Walter’s park / dedication status unknown
South Paul Banks Trail or "Trunk" Trail Pedestrian trail, city of homer , needs easement
Spit pedestrian path To be constructed by State of AK
Switchback Beach Access Possible discontinuous access to beach
Watermelon Trail Trailhead needed for snowmachine access to Caribou Hill needed/ dedication needed on borough and native land

 

 

 HOPE / SUNRISE

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
ATV trail between Palmer & Resurrection Creeks
Bear Creek Trail Potential short trail for local and visitor use
Canyon Creek Bike/ped trail TRAAK project near Hope "Y"

 

Fresno Creek Trail USFS
Gulch Creek Trail USFS
Gull Rock Trail USFS / maintain and continue to Chickaloon Winter Trail and Mystery Creek Road
Hirshey Mine Road USFS
Hope Point Trail USFS / maintenance needed
Hope Road Pedestrian and bicycle access
Mud Lake – Porcupine Campground
Nearhouse Mine Road USFS
Palmer Creek Road USFS
Resurrection Creek Road
Wagon Trail Dedicated access needed on Borough land
Wibel Mine Rd. USFS

 

 

 KASILOF AND CLAM GULCH AREA

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Bear Creek Trail KNWR Trail
Centennial Lake Trail DNR Trail, State land
Clam Gulch Trail Seismic Trail / dedicated public access needed
Clear Creek Trail KNWR Trail
Cohoe Loop Safety path
EIN 12A Winter Trail / 17(b) easement to Kasilof River / needs management
Know Lake Trail 17(b) easement off Gaswell Road / needs management
Lake Emma Trail KNWR Trail
Mile 4 Cohoe Loop Beach Access
Mile 4.3 K-Beach Beach Access
Mile 9.8 Cohoe Loop Beach Access
Moose Creek Trail KNWR Trail
Pollard Horse Trail KNWR Trail / continuous dedicated access needed across Borough land
Raven Lake Snomachine Trail Dedicated public access needed across borough land
Sterling Highway Pedestrian and bicycle access needed

 

 

 GREATER KENAI AREA

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Beaver Loop Trail
Bernie Huss Fitness Trail Rehabilitation underway
Bridge Access Road Pedestrian and bicycle access needed
Cannery Road Beach Access improvements and trailhead needed
Forest Drive Loop Proposed community-to-beach loop trail
Kalifornsky Beach Road Pedestrian and bicycle access needed
Kenai Gulf Course Trails Lighting
Mile 11 K-Beach Road Beach Access
North Forest Drive School safety path needed
Oiler’s Park Trail
Slikok Creek Trail DNR Trail
South Forest Beach Access
Unity Trail Completion needed

 

 

 MOOSE PASS

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Bishop’s Ridge USFS/ Borough selection along trail – public access needed away from RR
Carter Lake Trail USFS , Borough selection along trail
Case mine road USFS/ Borough selection along trail

 

Crescent Lake Trail USFS TRail
Crown Point Road Signage, public education, borough selection
Falls Creek Road USFS, Borough selection along trail
Iditarod Trail
Johnson Pass Trail USFS/ State/federal management and enforcement agreement needed - Borough selection
Ned’s Bypass On borough selection, connects Bishop Ridge and Case Mine Road
Pedestrian path Maintenance needed
Pedestrian path extension Needed - both north and south
Ptarmigan Creek USFS/ Borough selection along trail
Schilter Trail State land / legal easement/ trail not existing/
Solar’s Mill Borough selection along trail/ need trailhead and access to trail

 

Vagt Lake Trail Trail management and maintenance needed, borough selection along trail

 

 

 NIKISKI

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Bishop Creek Ski trail Develop as year-round trail
Captain Cook State Park to Swanson River Road Proposed new trail
Evacuation Route
Gray Cliff Area Trail Need locations and access determinations
High School to 7-11 Pedestrian/bicycle/ safety path
Island Lake to Lamplight Safety path needed
Mile 14 North Road Beach access
Mile 22 North Road Beach access
Mile 26.7 Arness Dock Beach Access
Mile 35.9 North Road Beach Access
Mile 40 Captain Cook Beach Access
Miller Loop Road Safety path needed
North Kenai Spur Pedestrain an bike access to Kenai
NPRSA ski trails lighting
NPRSA ski/run trails to High School Proposed new ski/running/pedestrain trail
Otter Creek Winter Trail
Point Possession Area Trail Need locations and access determinations

 

 

 NINILCHIK / DEEP CREEK

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Barrel Trail Seismic trail
Caribou Hills Trails - general Trailheads needed, dedicated public access needed
Center Plateau Seismic trail
Clam Gulch Trail Trailhead needed/ dedicated public access needed on University land
Deep Creek Dome Trail Dedicated public access needed across Native Corp. and Federal land
Deep Creek State Recreation Area Beach Access

 

EIN 12 and 12a
Falls Creek Trailhead and dedicated public access needed / University and Native Corp. Land

 

Gold Hill Trail
Jesse's Trail Dedicated public access needed through Native Corp. land
Mile 126 Trail Trailhead needed / dedicated public access needed on University and Native Corp. land
Mile 132 Trail Dedicated public access needed across Native Corp., State, private and University land
Ninilchik Dome Trail Dedicated public access needed
Ninilchik State Recreation Area Beach Access, open access through park
North Bar area Trailhead needed
North Fork Deep Creek Trails
Oilwell Road Trailhead
Red Bluff (MP 131) Beach Access
Straight-in Trail Seismic trail
Walking path through town to beach needed
WaterHole Trail Seismic trail

 

 

 SELDOVIA, PORT GRAHAM, NANWALEK

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
17(b) easements - general Management needed/ public education needed /
Barbara Creek Trail Old mining trail / crosses SNA land to State land
City Park Trail
Mount Mills Trail 17(b)
Otterbahn
Outside Beach
Port Chatham – Windy Bay Road
Port Graham Creek Trail 17(b) easement to State land
Red Mountain Road 17(b) to small private parcels and small state parcels
Reservoir Trail Possible dedicated public access needed at beginning of trail
Rocky River Road Need bridges and clearing
Seldovia Lake Trail Dedicated public access needed across private and University/ management, signing, and public education needed /
Tutka Bay Lagoon Trail 17(b) easement / possible private land use conflict with trail use
TV Tower Trail Possible dedicated public access needed

 

 

 GREATER SEWARD AREA

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Caine’s Head DNR trail / move trailhead, fix bridge, info on land status, develop access for other than low tide only
EIN 4 17(b) easement from Exit Glacier Road to federal land
End of Airport/Nash Road Short trail/boardwalk for bird viewing proposed
Exit Glacier Road Safety path, winter use
Exit Glacier Trail NPS trail
Harding Icefield Trail NPS trail
Harth Mountain Trail Dedicated public access needed / State, Borough, and Federal land
Iditarod Trail Federal easement
Lost Lake Trail USFS Trail / trailhead conflicts with residential area/
Marathon Bowl Trail Dedicated public access needed /City and State Land
Mile 12 Ski Trails Connection wanted to Lost Lake
Mount Marathon Race Trail Signage needed / city and state land
Mt. Alice Trail Maintenance problems / public access dedication needed/ private, borough, federal land/ no trailhead
North End Bear Lake Trail State land / easement exists/ portion of trail existing
Old Lost Creek Trail Dedication status unknown
Old South Fork Trail State and Federal Land / dedication status unknown
Paradise Valley Trail
Primrose Trail USFS Trail
Primrose/Lost Lake Snowmobile Area Intensive use alpine area
Resurrection River Trail USFS Trail
Scout Lake Trail State Land / managed (?)
Seward Highway Pedestrian / bike/ multi-use/ safety trail needed
Two Lakes Trail City of Seward, legal access problems

 

 

 GREATER SOLDOTNA AREA

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Aspen Street Park City of Soldotna
Centennial Park Trails City of Soldotna
Farnsworth Park City of Soldotna
Fireweed and Kobuk
Riverview Park City of Soldotna
Slikok Creek Trail DNR Trail
Soldotna Bridge Need bike/pedestrian addition
Soldotna Creek Park City of Soldotna
Sterling Highway to Swiftwater Park Safety path needed
Swiftwater Park Trails City of Soldotna
Tsalteshi Trail to Central Peninsula Sport Center Proposed new trail
Tsalteshi Trails to KNWR ski trail Connection proposed
Tsalteshi Trails Lighting proposed, enforcement of use restrictions needed
Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Trail Proposal to develop as year-round trails

 

 

 STERLING

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Bing’s Landing Trail DNR Trail
Breeze Lake Trail
Drake/Skookum Lake Trail

 

KNWR Trail
Egumen Lake Trail

 

Forest Lake Trail
Grebe Lake Trail Dedicated public access needed to KNWR land
Gruskka Lake Trail
Hookman Trail Historic Winter trail paralleling Swanson River Road / dedicated public access needed
Isaak Walton Trail DNR Trail
Kenai Keys SRA Trail DNR Trail
Morgan’s Landing Trail DNR Trail
Mosquito Lake Trail KNWR Trail
Nest Lake Trail
Seven Lakes Trail KNWR Trail
Silver Lake Trail KNWR Trail
Ski / Winter Trails Proposed new trails in wetland area between Sterling Highway and Scout Lake Loop
Ski / winter Trails Proposed new trails on State land between Kenai River and Longmere Lake
Skilak Lake Access Trail
Sterling Highway ATV/snowmachine/equestrian/ bike trail along roadway
Sterling Highway Paved pedestrian trails along highway / existing / winter maintenance(?)
Swanson River Canoe Trails KNWR Trails
Swanson River Firebreak State and Borough land / from ‘68 fire/ dedicated public access needed
Swanson River Road to Nikiski Proposed new trail connecting communities
Weed Lake Trail

 

 

 WEST OF COOK INLET

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Redoubt Bay to Harriet Point Access Needed
Polly Creek Trail 17 (b) easement form Cook Inlet to Federal land / proposed / easement exists
Harriet Creek Trail Proposed 17(b) easement across Native Corporation land between State and Federal land
Tyonek area logging roads Determine public access status
Main haul Road Dedicated public access needed across borough land at Congabuna Lake
Bowser Creek Trail Proposed 17(b) from Oil Bay to State Land / easement exists
Dry Bay Trail Proposed 17(b) from Dry Bay to State Land / easement exists
Iniskin Trail 17(b) easement on existing trail to State land
Williamsport-Pile Bay Road
Dulton Trail Dedicated public access needed across private and Native Corporation land
Old Iliamna Trail
Umbrella Glacier Trail Proposed 17(b) trail to Federal Land / easement exists
Fitz Creek Trail Proposed trail to State land / 17(b) easement
Kustutan Ridge Trail Easement on state land from Cook Inlet to Ridge
Trading Bay Proposed ferry landing and connecting trail to Kustutan River and Ridge

 

 

OTHER AREAS

TRAIL OR FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMENTS
Alpine Ridge Trail State of Alaska Trail
Bear Mountain Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Bradley Lake Trail Foot trail managed by Alaska Energy Authority
Carter Lake Trail US Forest Service Trail
Champagne Cove Trail State of Alaska Trail
China Poot Lake Trail State of Alaska Trail
Colorado Mine Road US Forest Service Trail
Cottonwood Creek Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Crescent Lake Trail US Forest Service Trail
Crescent Saddle Trail US Forest Service Trail
Devil's Pass Trail US Forest Service Trail
Frenchy Creek Trail US Forest Service Trail
Fresno Creek Trail US Forest Service Trail
Fuller Lakes Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Goat Rope Trail State of Alaska Trail
Grandview Station Train access only / annual ski train to State land
Grayling Lake Trail US Forest Service Trail
Greywingk Glacier Trail State of Alaska Trail
Halibut Cove Dock Flag and clear public right-of-way
Halibut Creek Trail State of Alaska Trail
Hatcher Mine Road US Forest Service Trail
Hidden Creek Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Kenai River Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Lagoon Trail State of Alaska Trail
Little Johnstone Lake Trails
Lost Lake Trail US Forest Service Trail
Lynx Creek Road US Forest Service Trail
Manitoba Mountain Manage conflicting uses
Mills Creek Road US Forest Service Trail
Paradise Valley Trail US Forest Service Trail
Poot Peak Trail State of Alaska Trail
Resurrection Pass Trail US Forest Service Trail

 

Russian Lakes Trail US Forest Service Trail
Saddle Trail State of Alaska Trail
Seven Lakes Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Skilak Lookout Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Snow River Trail US Forest Service Trail
Summit Creek Trail US Forest Service Trail
Surprise Creek Trail Kenai NWR Trail
Wosnesenski Trail State of Alaska Trail