The Kenai Peninsula - Alaska's Accessible Wilderness

The Kenai Peninsula is 90% wilderness, has four active volcanoes, the Kenai Fjords National Park, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the Harding Icefield, the largest icefield wholly contained in the United States (one of only four remaining in the country) and spawning 40 glaciers. It contains over 400 bird species, as well as countless other wildlife. In July and August the salmon make their annual runs upriver, to the delight of fishermen and bear. I was there in August, in time for the Salmon run so I could watch the bears fishing.

Alaska remains a vast wilderness, with few roads and small towns, stretching far north to the Arctic Ocean. Much of it's natural beauty remains difficult to access and enjoy, but along it's southern edge sits the Kenai Peninsula. This area is easily accessible, thanks to either the Seward Highway from Anchorage, or the Alaska Marine Highway System from just outside Seattle, and is full of many of the wonders Alaska has to offer.

Alaska was initially discovered by Russian explorers, and purchased for 7.2 Million dollars by the United States occurred in 1867 (about 2 cents an acre). The purchase was arranged by then Secretary of State William Seward. Following the Civil War, the purchase wasn't popular with many Americans, and the area was called Seward's Folly, or Seward's Icebox. Seward himself never doubted the purchase, and when asked in 1886 what he considered his greatest achievement he answered "The purchase of Alaska, but it will take the people a generation to find out."

If driving from Anchorage (there are several rental car and motorcycle services available), Highway 1, the Seward Highway runs along the Cook Island Inlet. On a clear day the views of mountains and water is stunning, but even when clouds shroud much of the majesty the weight of the mountains is palatable. The highway runs though Chugach State Park before looping around the end of the inlet and entering the peninsula.

If you aren't interested in the drive, you can also take a boat. The Alaska Marine Highway System runs along the southern coast of the state, linking towns which may have no other access. You can board in Bellingham and enjoy the scenic cruise up the western coast of Canada before entering Prince William Sound for picturesque fjords, ending your journey in Whittier in the Kenai Peninsula. Renting a car in Whittier is more difficult and more expensive than in Anchorage, but if you do arrive by the ferry system you can bring your car along with for an additional cost.

The Marine highway was founded in 1948 as a private service and was purchased by the government in 1951. In 1967 it was extended to Seattle, but that terminus was moved in 1989 to Bellingham, Washington. It is now estimated to carry 350,000 passengers and 100,000 vehicles a year.

Once in the Peninsula there are many camping, hiking, boating, fishing and other activities available. Something for everyone who is interested in the great outdoors.
http://www.kenaipeninsula.org/
http://kenai.fws.gov/
http://www.npca.org/Parks