Beachcombing and Bonfire

Where Do We Go?

Glacier Spit is a long, narrow strip of land made of gravel and sand that sticks out into Kachemak Bay, near the mouth of the Grewingk Glacier river runoff in Kachemak Bay State Park.

A spit is a natural geological feature formed by rocks and sediment left behind as glaciers moved and melted leaving behind glacial deposits. It's about a 10-minute boat ride from the lodge and our landing craft boats can easily drop guests at the rocky beach... with dry feet! Or there's an option to paddle a sea kayak from the lodge to the beach, which takes about 45 minutes one-way with a guide.
 

Highlights of The Experience

Discover the enchanting, sculptural forms of driftwood, search for unique, iridescent shells, and collect sea stones smoothed by the relentless tide. This is a treasure hunt designed by the ocean itself. Walk along smooth gravel and coarse sand as your guide helps you identify your finds and point out the wonders of the intertidal zone, from the edible seaweed that thrives here to the coastal birds that patrol the shores... and see just what the tide brought in!

Many days, this south-facing beach is naturally warmed by the sun, but it's also fun to gather around the warm crackling glow of a coastal bonfire right on the beach. Share stories from the day, roast s'mores over the flames. Complete with food and drinks, it’s the perfect cozy end to a day of exploration.

A Meditative Escape: Enjoy a peaceful, unhurried activity perfect for all ages and fitness levels.

Edible Landscape: Sample an assortment of edible plants that thrive along the shoreline.

Coastal Wildlife: Observe intertidal creatures, hermit crabs, snails, limpets, shorebirds, and other animals that frequent the Alaskan coastline, like foraging black bears and marine mammals.

Natural Treasures: Hunt for unique driftwood, intricate shells, sea glass, and colorful stones along the remote shore. People often walk along a line of flotsam and jetsam meaning the random driftwood, ropes, floats, or marine debris you find on the beach. We really never know what we'll find... Japanese glass fishing floats... Nike tennis shoes from a cargo ship.

Glacier Spit is an idea location for rockhounding as it is mostly made of rounded beach stones that were carried and ground down by glaciers, then washed and sorted by waves and tides. Most of the stones are well-rounded because they’ve been tumbled by glacial movement and constant wave action.

You’ll typically see:

• Sand dollars, clam, mussle, and scallop shells, cockles, barnacles, rock oysters, crab molts, sea urchin tests, and more
• Smooth river rock and cobbles, greenstone, basalt, and dark volcanic-looking stones full of holes
• Occasional quartz, quartzite, or chert pebbles that stand out because they’re lighter or glassier, and even some agates

Optional Bonfire: Gather up some firewood and unwind by a warm, crackling fire with snacks or a picnic lunch.

Optional Hike: Take a guided trek from Glacier Spit Trailhead a few miles to a unique hand tram that spans across Grewingk Glacier River. The hike from Glacier Spit to the Hand Tram in Kachemak Bay State Park is a scenic coastal walk that blends beach travel, forest trail, and big alpine views. Starting at the spit, you’ll follow a well-used route from the shoreline and through pockets of spruce and alder, with the Grewingk Glacier valley opening up ahead as you go. The terrain is pretty flat and generally moderate with a few possible muddy sections. As you near the end, you’ll hear the river and see the cables spanning the water, where the Hand Tram offers a fun, hands-on way to cross and continue toward the lake and glacier trails beyond, if desired. This trail also leads to a creek full of spawning salmon in August.