{"id":7952,"date":"2017-03-22T08:10:17","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T14:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7952"},"modified":"2022-01-15T15:14:04","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T22:14:04","slug":"sailing-the-north-pacific-ocean-to-grace-ridge-kachemak-bay-state-park-alaska-8-26-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7952","title":{"rendered":"Sailing the North Pacific Ocean to Grace Ridge, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (8-26-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 28 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska<\/em><\/p>\n

Ugh, what is it Loop?\u00a0 What now?<\/em>\u00a0 Lupe kept pawing at SPHP.\u00a0 Oh, Loopster, what do you want?\u00a0\u00a0Do you need out?\u00a0… 7:00 AM! … Oh, my gosh, Loop!\u00a0 Thanks for waking me up!\u00a0 We’ve got to get going!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe may have just saved the day.\u00a0 SPHP meant to be up an hour ago.\u00a0 The sun was already above the horizon.\u00a0 Was there still time?\u00a0 The day was perfect –\u00a0clear and bright, as SPHP drove out to the Homer Spit.<\/p>\n

Narrow Homer Spit protruding 6 miles into Kachemak Bay was awesome!\u00a0 Hundreds of boats of all descriptions were moored in a gigantic pack on the protected NE side.\u00a0 Sea gulls whirled overhead.\u00a0 The one road along the spit was lined with restaurants, colorful tourist shops, and fishing and sight-seeing charter businesses.\u00a0 People were up and about.\u00a0 The whole place hummed with activity.<\/p>\n

SPHP drove slowly, looking for Homer Ocean Charters<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 There it was, on the SW side of the street!\u00a0 SPHP parked and went in, while Lupe waited in the G6.\u00a0 SPHP asked the lady at the counter about getting a water taxi ride over to Grace Ridge in Kachemak Bay State Park.<\/p>\n

The good news was that dogs were welcome, and Lupe could come along for free!\u00a0 The bad news was they had a 2 person minimum requirement.\u00a0 Grace Ridge wasn’t that popular.\u00a0 They had no one else\u00a0scheduled to go to Grace Ridge today.\u00a0 The lady suggested either a different destination, or trying Mako’s Water Taxi<\/strong><\/a><\/span> across the street.<\/p>\n

Mako’s wasn’t right<\/em> across the street, although it wasn’t far away.\u00a0 It took SPHP a few minutes to spot it.\u00a0 Once again, Lupe waited in the G6 while SPHP went in, a little fearful of another negative response.\u00a0 Mako’s was busy.\u00a0 It took a few minutes for SPHP’s turn to come.\u00a0 Another woman behind a counter\u00a0asked what SPHP wanted.<\/p>\n

Water taxi service to Grace Ridge?\u00a0 They had only one group scheduled for Grace Ridge today.\u00a0\u00a0Three people\u00a0were leaving right now.\u00a0 Round trip price was $81 plus tax (total a bit over $91).\u00a0 Pickup at 6 PM. \u00a0Lupe could come along, no extra charge.\u00a0 Was\u00a0now<\/em> OK?<\/p>\n

Perfect!\u00a0 Now was absolutely perfect!\u00a0 SPHP paid up, then ran out to move the G6 to free parking a couple blocks away next to the Homer Grill.\u00a0 As SPHP and a somewhat alarmed Lupe started running back to the dock, Mako’s captain of the water taxi XtraTuff was already yelling at SPHP to hurry up.\u00a0 When Mako says now, they mean NOW<\/em>!\u00a0 They were leaving!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on Homer Spit, moments before dashing off to catch a ride to Grace Ridge on Mako’s water taxi XtraTuff. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was afraid of the open metal grate dock.\u00a0 She could see the water below her.\u00a0 SPHP picked\u00a0the surprised Carolina\u00a0Dog\u00a0up, and ran carrying her to the XtraTuff.\u00a0 Moments later, she was aboard.\u00a0 Immediately, the captain put the engine into reverse, and started easing the XtraTuff away from the dock.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP sat out in the open air on a bench in the front of the boat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sea dog, Loopster, aboard Mako’s water taxi XtraTuff, embarks from Homer Spit to sail across Kachemak Bay of the North Pacific Ocean on her way to Grace Ridge! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The XtraTuff cruised slowly, leaving little wake, while maneuvering around all the other boats on the way out of port.\u00a0 The XtraTuff picked up a little speed once it was clear of the moored boats.\u00a0 The captain steered SE toward the end of Homer Spit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe aboard the XtraTuff nearing the SE end of Homer Spit. Grace Ridge is in view above the 2nd support from the L. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rounding Homer Spit. Grace Ridge on the L. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the XtraTuff rounded Homer Spit and headed out across Kachemak Bay, the captain put her in high gear.\u00a0 XtraTuff was fast!\u00a0 The water taxi bounded across the waves.<\/p>\n

Even though the sea wasn’t that rough, it was a bumpy ride.\u00a0 Every now and then XtraTuff hit a wave with a jarring jolt.\u00a0 The morning’s cool breeze became rather chilly, as the XtraTuff raced toward Eldred Passage.\u00a0 SPHP hung onto Lupe, so there wouldn’t be an American Dingo overboard.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Kachemak Bay heading for Eldred Passage. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The captain asked if Lupe and SPHP would like to come in the enclosed cabin to get out of the cold wind.\u00a0 Thanks, but hell no!\u00a0 This was what Lupe had come for!\u00a0 Here she was, bounding across Kachemak Bay of the North Pacific Ocean on\u00a0her way to Grace Ridge<\/a><\/span> (3,136 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0in Alaska with fabulous views everywhere.\u00a0 This was exciting!\u00a0 This was glorious!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mountains along Kachemak Bay. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Yukon Island (Center) aboard the XtraTuff. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
OK, SPHP, we’re way out here now. So level with me, what the heck are you getting us into?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Grace Ridge from Kachemak Bay aboard the XtraTuff. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In Eldred Passage on the way to Tutka Bay. Billy, one of the other passengers, later told SPHP that the sharp peak on the L is called Broken Knife, although SPHP doesn’t find that name on any map. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Grace Ridge Trail is 9 miles long.\u00a0 Lupe was going to take the entire trail from one end to the other, making only a single traverse.\u00a0 A water taxi would\u00a0pick her up at the other end.\u00a0 SPHP had a choice of where to get dropped off.\u00a0 At the N end, closest to Kachemak Bay, is Kayak Beach.\u00a0 The more remote S\u00a0trailhead is along\u00a0the NE shore of Tutka Bay.\u00a0 The other 3 passengers were going to the S trailhead.\u00a0 SPHP\u00a0told the captain that was\u00a0where Lupe wanted to\u00a0be dropped\u00a0off, too.<\/p>\n

The XtraTuff raced\u00a0over smoother waters\u00a0through Eldred Passage.\u00a0 Lupe passed by the entrance to Sadie Cove to the E.\u00a0 XtraTuff sailed\u00a0S around the NW end of Grace Ridge.\u00a0 Entering Tutka Bay, XtraTuff was still making great time.\u00a0 After a few miles, though, a dense fog bank was dead ahead right on the water.<\/p>\n

The captain slowed XtraTuff to a crawl as Lupe entered the fog.\u00a0 Everything disappeared from view.\u00a0 The\u00a0drop-off point\u00a0wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 XtraTuff crept cautiously forward, the captain straining to see something, anything.\u00a0 After 5 minutes, a tiny beach appeared close by and directly ahead.\u00a0 The captain had found it!\u00a0 This tiny beach was the Grace Ridge S trailhead.<\/p>\n

XtraTuff glided into shore.\u00a0 Lupe, SPHP, and the other 3 passengers disembarked.\u00a0 It only took a minute.\u00a0 As the XtraTuff backed slowly away, everyone waved and thanked the captain, who waved back.\u00a0\u00a0XtraTuff disappeared like a ghost.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
XtraTuff about to disappear into the fog on Tutka Bay. Photo looks, uh, well, let’s see, NW maybe?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wow!\u00a0 Incredible!\u00a0 If the 3 other passengers hadn’t been here, this place would have been just plain spooky.\u00a0 A dark, dense, primeval forest extended right down to the tiny beach at water’s edge.\u00a0 Leafy ferns, thick clumps of moss, ancient trees.\u00a0 In the fog, it all looked unnervingly prehistoric.\u00a0 It could have been 10,000 years ago, maybe 10,000,000 years ago.\u00a0 What was out there?\u00a0 Bears?\u00a0 Dinosaurs!?\u00a0 Lupe was lost in time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe lost in time, and looking a tad concerned about it, at the South Grace Ridge trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The other 3 passengers seemed to know where they were.\u00a0 They set right off, following a good single track trail through the jungle.\u00a0 The trail gained elevation slowly at first, but soon started switchbacking up a steep slope.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP followed the rest of the group, trailing a little behind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
So far, so good. No bears or dinosaurs yet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fog bank was dense, but wasn’t all that thick.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was getting up high enough to where sunshine could be seen filtering through the trees.\u00a0 The other 3 XtraTuff passengers set a fairly brisk pace.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP continued following along behind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As Lupe climbed above the fog, sunlight began filtering through the trees.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail was good.\u00a0 The switchbacks made the pace of elevation gain moderate.\u00a0 Lupe was making great time and gaining elevation steadily.\u00a0 The rest of the group was traveling almost too fast for SPHP’s taste.\u00a0 What was the hurry?\u00a0 Lupe had been dropped off at the S trailhead around 9 AM.\u00a0 She didn’t need to be at the N trailhead until 6 PM, 9 hours later.\u00a0 Since the trail was only 9 miles long, she only had to travel one mile per hour.<\/p>\n

Soon everyone, except Lupe, was sweating.\u00a0 The group stopped for a break.\u00a0 SPHP stripped down to a T-shirt.\u00a0 The woman of the group introduced herself as Sandy.\u00a0 With her were Kevin and Billy.\u00a0 They were all friendly, but spent much of their time deeply engaged in their own conversations.\u00a0 They were friends who all live in Homer, as near as SPHP could gather.<\/p>\n

Everyone set off again.\u00a0 The rapid pace continued.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP lagged behind when Lupe found, not a bear or a dinosaur, but a squirrel in the forest.\u00a0 A brief, enthusiastic barkfest ensued.\u00a0 A bit later, Lupe and SPHP caught up with the group\u00a0again.\u00a0 As Lupe gained elevation, the primeval forest gave way to a more normal looking forest minus all the moss and ferns.\u00a0 The normal forest then began to thin out, with some of the tall bushes common in Alaska starting to take over.<\/p>\n

There were other people on the trail!\u00a0 The XtraTuff group overtook and passed\u00a0a family of four.\u00a0 Soon after that, Lupe got her first look at a barren high point ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As the Grace Ridge Trail neared the ridgeline, Lupe got her first look at a barren high point ahead. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail reached the ridgeline.\u00a0 The switchbacks were done.\u00a0 From now on,\u00a0the trail\u00a0would stay\u00a0up on the ridgeline\u00a0following it all the way NNW to the summit.\u00a0 Tall bushes\u00a0and scattered trees dominated at first, but that didn’t last long.\u00a0 The moderate pace of elevation gain\u00a0enjoyed while on\u00a0the switchbacks was over.\u00a0\u00a0The trail climbed steeply, quickly bringing Lupe up above all the tall vegetation.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo wasn’t\u00a0anywhere near the\u00a0summit\u00a0of Grace\u00a0Ridge yet, but\u00a0truly awesome views were opening up all around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Tutka Bay, which Lupe had come sailing over on the water taxi XtraTuff on her way to the Grace Ridge S trailhead. The broader expanse of Kachemak Bay is seen in the distance. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down at the S end of Sadie Cove, which borders Grace Ridge to the N and E. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the Grace Ridge trail having reached the first high point along the ridgeline above all the trees and tall bushes. Photo looks SSE back down along Grace Ridge. Part of Tutka Bay is seen on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ahead, Grace Ridge was covered only with alpine tundra.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0marvelous ridgeline trek\u00a0of sweeping unobstructed panoramas was in store for Lupe.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog still had a long way to go to reach the summit.\u00a0 It wasn’t even in view yet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ahead, a marvelous ridge hike over alpine tundra was in store for Lupe. The summit was still far off. It wasn’t even in view yet. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>From her vantage point high on Grace Ridge, Lupe was now able to see great distances over the tundra.\u00a0\u00a0She saw something move\u00a0far below.\u00a0 Suddenly,\u00a0Lupe took off straight down the steep W slope toward Tutka Bay.\u00a0 SPHP called her, but she disappeared over the edge of an embankment.\u00a0 She had lost hundreds of feet of elevation in hardly any time at all!\u00a0 SPHP kept calling her.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, here came\u00a0the American Dingo, charging straight back up almost as fast as she had gone down.\u00a0 Lupe arrived with a long pink tongue dangling from her mouth, panting as though she\u00a0might burst.\u00a0 Did she ever look happy, though!\u00a0 Wow, what would SPHP give to be in that kind of shape?\u00a0 Simply amazing!\u00a0 However, Lupe was now\u00a0under orders not to go running off like that again.\u00a0 SPHP never did see whatever it was she chased after.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP had fallen a little behind the XtraTuff group, but caught up with them again\u00a0between two small rocky hills where they had stopped for a snack.\u00a0 Up on the exposed ridgeline, an E breeze was blowing, but\u00a0between these small hills the trail was protected from the wind.<\/p>\n

While\u00a0everyone was still eating, Lupe climbed up the small hill on the E side of the trail for a look around.\u00a0 The views were getting better!\u00a0 Lupe could even see Iliamna Volcano<\/a><\/span> (10,016 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> faint and\u00a0far away across Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet to the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe up on the small rocky hill E of where the XtraTuff gang stopped for a rest break. A small part of Sadie Cove is seen on the lower L. The highest peak on the L may be Sadie Peak<\/a><\/span> (4,320 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The views kept getting better as Lupe gained elevation. This photo looks S farther into Kachemak Bay State Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe back down in the sheltered area near the trail. The rest of the XtraTuff gang has already finished their break and moved on. Iliamna Volcano is seen very faintly far across Cook Inlet to the L of Lupe. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the rest of the XtraTuff group moved on, Lupe and SPHP stayed at the sheltered spot between the two hills.\u00a0\u00a0Everyone else\u00a0seemed to be in a hurry to get to the summit.\u00a0 No reason for it that SPHP could see.\u00a0 Lupe had plenty of time.<\/p>\n

SPHP had asked how much more elevation was left to be gained.\u00a0\u00a0Sandy, Keven and Billy\u00a0had all\u00a0insisted Lupe was only halfway up, but that seemed to be a gross underestimate of the progress already made.\u00a0 Lupe must have gained at least 67% of the 3,136 feet required to reach the summit.\u00a0\u00a0Probably more like 75% or even 80%.<\/p>\n

After a nice break, Lupe and SPHP continued on.\u00a0 The trail remained good.\u00a0 The route was obvious, in any case.\u00a0 The exposed ridge hike was a ton of fun.\u00a0 Fantastic views everywhere, all the time.\u00a0 After passing through a dip into a\u00a0big saddle, there was one more fairly long steep climb.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the top of the next big climb. Tutka Bay is seen below. The mountain Billy called Broken Knife is on the R. SPHP wonders if it isn’t really Red Mountain<\/a><\/span> (3,524 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, though the name would make more sense for the more distant tan colored peak seen straight up from Lupe. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grace Ridge’s easily recognizable big summit ridge came into view ahead.\u00a0 There was no mistaking it.\u00a0 The trail\u00a0headed\u00a0straight for it, passing\u00a0over several prominent high points.\u00a0 This part of the\u00a0ridge was\u00a0often narrow and steep.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grace Ridge’s easily recognizable big summit ridge(R) came into view. To get there, Lupe followed the trail up and down over several high points. Along the way, the trail was often steep and the ridge quite narrow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
How’s this for a view, SPHP? I’m not even at the summit yet!<\/em> Kachemak Bay from Grace Ridge. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the last of the prominences, Lupe had an unobstructed view of the big summit ridge running SE\/NW ahead.\u00a0 Getting there was going to be\u00a0a piece of cake.\u00a0 The ridgeline\u00a0became much wider here.\u00a0 The trail would take Lupe up to the SE end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 The true summit of Grace Ridge was\u00a0a knob of rock\u00a0relatively close\u00a0to that end.\u00a0 Lupe was almost there!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From the last prominence, Lupe had an unobstructed view of Grace Ridge’s big summit ridge ahead. The trail would take Lupe to the SE (R) end. From there it wasn’t far to the true summit, the small knob of rock seen a little to the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the last of the prominences prior to going on to the summit ridge. Sadie Cove is seen below on the L. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fifteen minutes later, Lupe was up at the SE end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 While it had been breezy\u00a0down\u00a0along the lower\u00a0ridge, it was just plain windy up here.\u00a0 The E wind was strong!\u00a0 Lupe didn’t like the wind one bit, but\u00a0tried to wait patiently\u00a0for SPHP to\u00a0finish loitering around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe found a survey benchmark(R) at the end of a long pipe at the SE end of Grace Ridge’s big summit ridge. The near ridge in view is on the other side of Sadie Cove. Part of Kachemak Bay is in the distance on the L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peaks of Kachemak Bay State Park. Photo looks NE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe enduring the wind at the SE end of the Grace Ridge summit ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The survey benchmark at the SE end of the Grace Ridge summit ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSE back the way Lupe came up. Sadie Cove is on the L. The survey benchmark is at the lower L corner. A windswept Carolina Dog is on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit of Grace Ridge was only 200 yards away.\u00a0 Sandy, Kevin and Billy were all over there, sitting below the SW side of the summit sheltered from the wind.\u00a0 Lupe was going to get a lot more fresh air on her way over there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The true summit of Grace Ridge is seen only 200 yards away to the NW. Sandy, Kevin and Billy were already over there taking shelter from the wind. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, before\u00a0rejoining the rest of the\u00a0XtraTuff gang,\u00a0Lupe\u00a0had to climb up on top of\u00a0the true summit\u00a0to claim her windy\u00a0Grace Ridge peakbagging success!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the true summit of Grace Ridge in Alaska’s remote Kachemak Bay State Park! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Skinny Homer Spit is seen extending 6 miles into Kachemak Bay. Photo looks NNW from the true summit of Grace Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mighty Loopster astride the true summit of Grace Ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Kachemak Bay from the summit of Grace Ridge. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Homer Spit again, this time using the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSE. Lupe’s route up was along the barren hilly ridgeline seen on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was glad to get down off the true summit to take\u00a0refuge from the wind on the SW side of the big rock outcropping.\u00a0 Sandy, Kevin and Billy were still relaxing and finishing up lunch there for a little while longer.\u00a0 They said it was noon, which meant it had taken Lupe only\u00a03 hours to get here from the S Grace Ridge trailhead.\u00a0 Lupe had 6 whole hours until she needed to be down at\u00a0the N trailhead for the scheduled water taxi pickup at Kayak Beach.<\/p>\n

Before long, the rest of the XtraTuff gang moved on.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stayed alone, enjoying the solitude and the magnificent scenery.\u00a0 The family of 4 that had been passed on the way up came by, continuing farther NW along the summit ridge.\u00a0 For more than half an hour, Lupe and SPHP did not stir from the sheltered spot below the summit.\u00a0 What a magnificent place!\u00a0 Eventually, though, the time came to start exploring the big summit ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The view to the SW from the sheltered spot where Lupe relaxed out of the wind just below the summit. Tutka Bay is down below.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First, Lupe returned\u00a0to the SE end of the summit ridge near the survey benchmark.\u00a0 The views of the mountains to the S were best from this end of the ridge. \u00a0Lupe and SPHP wanted to see\u00a0them from this vantage point\u00a0one more time before leaving.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Worth a second look, aye?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sadie Cove and Sadie Peak(L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe rests on the tundra near the SE end of Grace Ridge’s big summit ridge. The true summit is on the R. Tutka Bay is on the L. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bidding farewell to the S mountain views, Lupe headed NW, passing by the true summit for the final time.<\/p>\n

Grace Ridge’s big summit ridge is about 0.25 mile long.\u00a0 Unlike the lower SSE ridge Lupe followed to get here, which was narrow and steep in some places, the big summit ridge is broad and flat\u00a0to gently rolling.\u00a0 No\u00a0clear trail exists most of the way, but the general route is totally obvious.\u00a0 If you still don’t get it, NW of the\u00a0true summit\u00a0the route is marked by a series of\u00a0big cairns.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Tutka Bay. A fog bank hangs over adjoining Kachemak Bay. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe NW of the true summit, seen on the L. Of course, American Dingoes can find their way across this broad, gentle ridge with their eyes closed. Huge cairns showed SPHP the way. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going NW along the big ridge, Lupe was heading away from the mountains and toward the ocean.\u00a0\u00a0There was one impressive mountain view, however, which she was going toward.\u00a0 Faint and far away, beyond Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, was Iliamna Volcano<\/a><\/span> (10,016 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Naturally, faint and far away aren’t normally associated with impressive.\u00a0 A look through the camera’s telephoto lens told a different story.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Iliamna Volcano from Grace Ridge. Bring those binoculars, if you want to see it looking like this instead of simply faint and far away. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A 0.25 mile long summit ridge is a pretty big summit, but even at a very leisurely pace\u00a0with stops to sniff and admire the views, it took Lupe only half an hour to\u00a0reach the NW end where the best ocean views were.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the NW end of the big summit ridge. Photo looks back to the SSE. The true summit is seen on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the NW end. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Anchor Point along Cook Inlet is in view here beyond Kachemak Bay. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Iliamna Volcano towers above low clouds covering Cook Inlet. Photo looks NW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Anchor Point from the NW end of the Grace Ridge summit ridge. And, hey, isn’t that the peakbagging Carolina Dog from the Black Hills of South Dakota up there?! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP had first reached the SE end of the Grace Ridge summit ridge an hour and forty minutes ago.\u00a0 If the wind hadn’t been so strong, Lupe would have remained at least another hour.\u00a0 However, as wonderful as the views were, the wind was wearing enough to make starting down sound like a good idea.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A final look back at the true summit of Grace Ridge(R) before starting down. Sadie Peak is seen R of Center. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Homer and the Homer Spit across Kachemak Bay. Lupe’s route down off Grace Ridge started toward the R in the direction of the cairn. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wind soon abated as Lupe lost elevation, a\u00a0welcome development as far as she was concerned.\u00a0 Going down the NW end of Grace Ridge was a lot different from coming up\u00a0the SE end.\u00a0 Lupe was facing views of the ocean.\u00a0 The trail going down didn’t follow any distinct ridgeline, but wound around in open country.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe in open country on her way down. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the trail down. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>Lupe had already lost a lot of elevation when she reached some flat ground.\u00a0 Ahead was a small rise the trail was\u00a0about to go over.\u00a0 People were down here, and up on the rise, too.<\/p>\n

Kevin from the XtraTuff group was in the flat area picking blueberries using a blueberry rake, a simple contraption SPHP had never seen before.\u00a0 A woman named Poppy was picking blueberries, too.\u00a0 Sandy and Billy were up ahead on the rise talking to still more people.<\/p>\n

It was sunny and comfortably warm out.\u00a0 The air was still.\u00a0 Lupe had hours to reach Kayak Beach.\u00a0 Picking blueberries sounded like a good idea.\u00a0 The others were saving\u00a0blueberries in plastic bags, but SPHP sat on the ground picking and eating them on the spot.\u00a0 Lupe dozed contentedly in the shade of an evergreen tree.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s nap and SPHP’s blueberry feast went on for 30 or 40 minutes.\u00a0 Then almost everyone decided it was time to mosey on down the trail to the Kayak Beach pickup point.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went with, tagging along at the end of the group.\u00a0 Only Kevin and Poppy remained, picking blueberries for a while longer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back at Grace Ridge from the small rise. The trail Lupe had come down wound its way around in the territory seen on the L. Part of the trail is in view below, L of Center. The flat land where all the blueberry picking went on was down there next to the trail. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hesketh Island(L) and Yukon Island(R) from the small rise. Anchor Point is in the distance on the far R. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe lost more elevation, the trail entered steeper terrain.\u00a0 Tall bushes and trees hid the views.\u00a0 The forest was full of Devil’s club<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, a tall plant with very\u00a0large leaves, a thick and thorny stem, all crowned by numerous clusters of bright red berries.\u00a0 A sort of giant blueberry plant grew 5 or 6\u00a0feet high\u00a0here, too.<\/p>\n

The trail was much wetter and muddier down here than anywhere else.\u00a0 A couple of times, people fell on the slick mud.\u00a0 Fortunately, no one sustained any\u00a0injury beyond wounded pride.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe investigates a small stream along the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Devil’s club berries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This larger group Lupe and SPHP were now part of\u00a0traveled very slowly down the steeper part of the trail.\u00a0 The pace finally picked up lower down, when the slope of the incline finally\u00a0decreased.\u00a0 Near the coast, the trees of the forest took over.\u00a0 There were fewer bushes and tall plants.<\/p>\n

Lupe reached Kayak Beach about 5:15 PM.\u00a0 Kayak Beach proved to be much larger than the tiny beach at the S trailhead.\u00a0 Still more people were on the beach, and several dogs, too.\u00a0 Even though pickup time wasn’t supposed to be until 6:00 PM, Mako already had two water taxis here, ready and waiting.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, Lupe wasn’t interested in the other dogs.\u00a0 Something else had caught her attention!\u00a0 In the\u00a0ocean,\u00a0right\u00a0next to\u00a0the shore, was something very odd.\u00a0 Lupe had never seen anything like it\u00a0before!\u00a0\u00a0A round translucent\u00a0creature marked with\u00a0an emblem\u00a0of the sun\u00a0moved with each wave.\u00a0 Lupe was fascinated, but regarded the strange creature with deep suspicion.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe discovered a jellyfish in the ocean at water’s edge on Kayak beach.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster had never seen a jellyfish before. She regarded it with both fascination and suspicion, following it toward the sea when it retreated with the waves, and leaping back when the jellyfish surged forward, seemingly on the attack!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The jellyfish was a most puzzling creature to the Carolina Dog. Lupe spent a long time keeping a watchful eye on it. Who knew jellyfish could be so entertaining?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe maintains her jellyfish vigil (it’s barely visible right in front of her nose) as one of the water taxis moves in to shore to begin boarding. Iliamna Volcano is seen faintly far beyond Eldred Passage(Center). Yukon Island is on the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Iliamna Volcano from Kayak Beach. Yukon Island on the L. Photo looks NW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was quite a large group of people milling around on the beach.\u00a0 In addition to the two Mako water taxis, there was a third water taxi from another company waiting to return passengers to Homer Spit.<\/p>\n

Apparently, there is a regulation prohibiting the water taxis from carrying more than 6 passengers at a time.\u00a0 Everyone seemed worried about securing a spot on the water taxis.\u00a0 Everyone except Lupe and SPHP, and two women who were staying to camp out at Kayak Beach.<\/p>\n

Yes!\u00a0 Mako had 13 passengers waiting for pickup, but could only take 12.\u00a0 The water taxis filled up.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were left standing on the beach.\u00a0 Totally awesome!\u00a0 Mako promised another water taxi was on the way.\u00a0 It would be here in 15 minutes.\u00a0 Whatever.\u00a0 As long as it came eventually, Lupe and SPHP were happy.<\/p>\n

The two women who were going to camp out here had two large dogs with them.\u00a0 The\u00a0biggest one, Ruby,\u00a0acted so aggressively toward Lupe, that Ruby got put on a leash.\u00a0 The women\u00a0invited SPHP to join them for a cup of wine.\u00a0 Who was SPHP to disappoint them?\u00a0 While Lupe and the friendly dog played and\u00a0explored, SPHP and the two women sat watching the ocean, chatting,\u00a0and sipping wine.<\/p>\n

Fifteen minutes was a lousy estimate.\u00a0 The water taxi, Orca, didn’t show up until 7:00 PM, which was totally\u00a0cool as far as Lupe and SPHP were concerned.\u00a0 \u00a0SPHP bid farewell to the two women, thanking them for the wine.\u00a0 Lupe and\u00a0SPHP boarded the Orca, and it pulled away from shore.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mako’s water taxi, Orca, arrives at 7:00 PM to pick up Lupe and SPHP. Ruby, who was back off leash by now, is the dark brown dog on the R. The light brown dog is the friendly one that played with Lupe. The black dog came with the Orca. Yukon Island in the background. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A guy came running out of the woods from the direction of the trail.\u00a0 Wait!!!\u00a0 Come back!!!\u00a0 His group\u00a0had a 7:00 PM scheduled pickup with Mako.\u00a0 Two more were still coming.\u00a0 They would be here shortly.<\/p>\n

Mako was confused.\u00a0 The guy’s story didn’t seem to add up at first.\u00a0 The confusion arose, because, just like the original XtraTuff group of 3, this group of 3 also had a Kevin and a Sandy.\u00a0 For a few minutes, Mako thought they had already done their duty and picked up everyone they needed to.\u00a0 However, instead of a Billy, this group had a Mark.<\/p>\n

It all got straightened out over the radio.\u00a0 Back to shore.\u00a0 The two remaining members of the new Kevin, Sandy,\u00a0and Mark\u00a0group appeared.\u00a0 Everyone boarded.\u00a0 Out to sea again.\u00a0 Soon the Orca was dashing over\u00a0a glassy sea\u00a0through Eldred Passage.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP enjoyed the ride seated out front in the open air again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Aboard the Orca on Kachemak Bay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turned out the Orca wasn’t going directly back to the Homer Spit.\u00a0 A package needed to be delivered to China Cove farther N on the E side of Kachemak Bay.\u00a0 Fantastic!\u00a0 A free extra long water taxi ride on a gorgeous evening!\u00a0 The farther away China Cove was, the better.<\/p>\n

The side trip to China Cove added an extra half hour.\u00a0 Flocks of seagulls raced the Orca. \u00a0Lupe saw boats and ships\u00a0on Kachemak Bay.\u00a0 Beauty, light, and the cool, clean Alaskan air Orca rushed through were everywhere.\u00a0 Life couldn’t be better!<\/p>\n

It had to end.\u00a0 The Orca returned to Homer Spit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Kachemak Bay from the Orca near Homer Spit. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe aboard the Orca as it pulls into port at Homer Spit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Her Kachemak Bay of the North Pacific Ocean and Grace Ridge adventure over, Lupe returned to land on Homer Spit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a day!\u00a0 What an adventure!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were famished.\u00a0 Back in the G6, SPHP drove to Safeway in Homer and bought a whole roasted chicken.\u00a0 Then it was back to a park on the SW side of Homer Spit.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP dined\u00a0in the G6 watching gentle waves roll into shore.<\/p>\n

The tide was coming in.\u00a0 Across Kachemak Bay,\u00a0there was\u00a0Grace Ridge in the evening light.\u00a0 Full of chicken, Lupe and SPHP left the G6 and strolled down to the ocean shore.\u00a0 A woman from Homer\u00a0was gathering pretty or unusual rocks she would use to line the sides of her driveway.\u00a0 Most everyone else had gone home.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grace Ridge(L) from Homer Spit. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Grace Ridge using the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, Looper, you did save the day!\u00a0 I’m sure glad you woke me up in the nick of time when you did.\u00a0 There aren’t many days like this one in a lifetime.\u00a0 We are so lucky we didn’t miss it!<\/em><\/p>\n

And so it ended, with Lupe standing at the edge of the North Pacific Ocean on Homer Spit, Grace Ridge in view, beneath the fading glory of a rare\u00a0epic day.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mako’s Water Taxi<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Grace Ridge Trail Fact Sheet & Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Kachemak Bay State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Kachemak Bay State Park & Wilderness Brochure and Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

On the Alpine Ridge Trail to see the Grewingk Glacier, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (8-31-18)<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Poot Peak, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (9-1-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from Lupe’s 2016 Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, <\/span><\/em>Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free to New Lupe Adventures<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 28 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska Ugh, what is it Loop?\u00a0 What now?\u00a0 Lupe kept pawing at SPHP.\u00a0 Oh, Loopster, what do you want?\u00a0\u00a0Do you need out?\u00a0… 7:00 AM! … Oh, my gosh, Loop!\u00a0 Thanks for waking me up!\u00a0 We’ve got to get going! Lupe … Continue reading Sailing the North Pacific Ocean to Grace Ridge, Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska (8-26-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[726],"tags":[704,105,106,26,751,952,750,104,1101],"class_list":["post-7952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2016-canadian-rockies-yukon-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-grace-ridge","tag-homer-spit","tag-kachemak-bay-state-park","tag-lupe","tag-makos-water-taxi"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_2319.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7952"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36615,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7952\/revisions\/36615"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}