Cooper Landing Alaska

Cooper Landing, Alaska--If you love to fish...this is your kind of place. Elbow to elbow, diehard fishing folks line the banks of the famous Russian and Kenai Rivers to jockey into position for the perfect cast to land a red Salmon (my personal favorite). Legendary King Salmon thrill anglers gliding along in drift boats. This is combat fishing at its Best! Just watching can give you goose bumps.

Tangled lines and bears cannot keep these types of folks away from the river and the lure of a Trophy King.

Like your fishing a little more relaxed...walk down the trail into another magical part of the river to the place where Rainbow Trout mystically swim.

If you want to hike without your fishing pole, there's plenty of trails through the majestic Chugach National Forest. Pack your lunch and leave the lures, boats and anglers behind.

Accomdations range from rustic cabins, high end B&B's to the Kenai Princess Lodge. Make reservations early, if the fishing is hot, lots of Alaskans will be joining you at the river. Quartz Creek campground sits on the edge of Kenai Lake for folks bringing their accomodations with them.

Fishing and Kayaking Charters are available. There is a small museum operated by some active Senior Citizens. Want to ride a horse and gold pan, you will find that here, too.

You can grab a burger at Sunrise Inn while filling your car, a sandwich to go from the small grocery store or sit on the deck of the Kenai
Princess sipping fine wines. A few other local restaurants offer yummy cuisine. Gasoline and bait can be found at Hamilton's. Other folks sell bait, as well. Gwin's has cool stuff on the walls to look at.

As I've said before, if you like to fish, this is your kind of place.

For more info. contact the Cooper Landing Chamber of Commerce at (907) 595-8888

Don't forget to stop by and say hi, you are really close now...Crazy Moose, Mile 36 of the Seward Highway. (Eccentric Artists, Hours Vary)

Lower Russian Trail is just past Cooper Landing headed south on the Sterling Highway. It is a maintained handicap accessible trail. Barring any big health problems, most folks will enjoy this hike without too much physical difficulty.

This is a beautiful hike with Birch, Hemlock, Spruce and Cottonwood Trees along the way. Spruce and Hemlock trees are easy to tell apart. A friend described the way Hemlock trees grow as "haphazard, like they just got out of bed"! These trees prefer artistic curvy type growth rather than straight trunks. Hemlock needles are also soft to the touch, whereas spruce needles are very spiky.

Plants along the trail include raspberry and rosehip. Bring your plant book along and see how many others you can identify.

The trail is 2.3 miles to the "Falls" It starts out at a gradual incline which is nice 'cause you know its going to be all downhill on the way back! About ahalfmile into the hike is a Memorial to firefighters and in particular to a young man, Mark Westover of Anchorage who lost his life in the 1969 Russian River Fire.

About 1.3 miles into the hike is a bridge over the water. It's a nice place for a little rest. Don't stop your hike here! I know it's tempting...the next mile brings you to the incredible overlook of the falls. The water is so loud as it comes crashing over the rocks. This is a beautiful place to see and photograph. The Chugach National Forest Service has built two circular overlooks to safely let you enjoy this awesome view.

The big green thing you see from the second overlook is a fish ladder to help the salmon reach their destination. It is covered so you cannot see the fish swimming through it. The last time I was there (early June), fish were spotted in the regular part of the river. An ermine, eagle and gray jay were also kind enough to put in appearances. The ermine was just below the green fish ladder getting a drink!

There are outhouse facilities in the parking lot. Slightly into the hike is a sign in sheet. Please be sure to sign in and include all in your party. Better to be safe than sorry.

You can do this hike! Enjoy the beautiful Alaskan scenery! Melissa :-)

P.S. Photo is rosehip in bloom! Some folks like to make tea with this plant.

This public boat launch is right next to the Sterling Highway bridge across the Kenai River shown on the google map below.