Page 218 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

Lake Clark

A hundred miles southwest of Anchorage Mountain Trail, which is a rigorous hike up the
lies a vast and untamed wilderness, a place of mountain with soaring views of Lake Clark.
volcanoes, granite tipped mountains, roaring
waterfalls and dense forests. Hugging the All camping in Lake Clark Park is primitive
Alaskan coastline, Lake Clark National Park and will test your self-reliance skills. There are
and Preserve is 4 million miles of man vs. many bear-viewing opportunities in the park
nature. The stunning focal point of the park and several licensed and commercial outfitters
is Lake Clark, a 42-mile sapphire blue lake can specialize in day-long or overnight bear
hemmed in by snow-capped mountains. viewing trips.
This is an area where experienced back
packers venture as most activities require
careful planning and/or the resources of
native Alaskan guides. There are only two
maintained trails in the park, the Tanalian and
Portage Creek Trail. The Tanalian begins in the
heart of the park and will take you through a
spruce, birch and dogwood lined trail to Lake
Clark and past a glacier fed waterfall spilling
over ancient lava rock. The Portage Creek Trail
begins at Joe Thompson Public Use Cabin,
which can be reached by boat, floatplane or
water taxi. Both trails are moderate in difficulty.
For advanced hikers there is the Tanalian

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