Highlights plus less visited destinations. The trail follows a service road the entire way. The pipeline and trail pass under water pipe from the reservoir dam to the hydro plant. All road hiking. Solomon Gulch Viewpoint is a 4.3 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Valdez, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. Nothing like clean energy!!! Self-drive vacations. The grounds are accessible and the self-guided walking tour is open May – October. Pretty lake, Trail was plenty wide but there was not much to see except for the dam at the end of the hike. definitely beneficial to have microspikes. At this point the trail is right above Solomon Gulch. The trail has a few short steep places putting it in the moderate category for difficulty. Right to dam. Please try again. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? You are going to climb for much of the first mile. The road drops down immediately and crosses the Animas River and then climbs in to Arrastra Gulch. The trail is wide the whole time as it is an access road (I believe). About four miles in, there is a fish hatchery on this trail. The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. Solomon Gulch Viewpoint is a 4.3 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Valdez, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Saw some pretty fresh looking bear poop so be careful. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. Bridal Veil Falls Trail; Keystone Canyon; Glacier Cruises from Valdez; Valdez Museum and Historical Archive; The Solomon Gulch Hatchery/Wildlife Viewing; I’ll cover them in depth later in this post, as well as offer a couple of other attractions, places to eat and places to stay. It shows the life cycle of salmon. The trail follows the beach, then rises up the craggy rocks. Amazing views!! But it is a dirt road you will follow the whole way and make sure to continue a little bit past the dam to the lake. Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 3 miles About four miles in, there is a fish hatchery on this trail. Bjarni Thorbjornsson/Flickr. No wildlife sighted. There were also a lot of black flies when we were hiking. A short trail to the left leads to a viewing area for the Port of Valdez. Be prepared and you’ll enjoy. Overwhelmed by choices? Bring either water shoes or something to dry feet off as it feels great to put your feet in the lake after hiking there. Would recommend! Eggs and sperm are removed from salmon that return to spawn each summer. Setting this up takes just a few minutes - Great couple hour hike! http://www.ci.valdez.ak.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/578, This trail begins 4.6 miles down Dayville Road just before Allison Point (parking is on the left). Sales for our Solomon Falls Seafood’s helps to off-set our operating expenses and debt retirement. Left to view point. Went on up to the dam and reservoir and it does not disappoint. It’s is a mainly up hill hike. Amazing hike! There is some confusion at the sign post but you will want to follow the large gravel road to the left. Didnt go all the way as we got tired when stopping by the scenic viewpoint. It begins at a fish hatchery, ends at a dam, and runs along both a road for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the former route of a copper mining operation that used a five-mile-long aerial tramway to move ore to the port. Studies have shown that it contributes approx., $110 million annually to the region. It also offers a good view of the Port of Valdez. Please check your email to verify your subscription. Great trail. it is very beautiful though. short, enjoyable hike. The trail starts up a steep hill before joining the Alyeska Pipeline Maintenance Road. The trail is not difficult, but it does gain elevation as you hike to the dam at Solomon Lake. Time of Year to Visit. The trail’s 10 sections cross much of the New Territories, starting from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung in the east to Tuen Mun in the west, along a trail marked by … Turn right onto the Arrastra Gulch Road, across from the Mayflower Mine building. This attraction is free. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Wildlife will be most abundant … Don't go straight (service road), Crater Lake Trail and Pack Trail to Tripod Hill, http://www.ci.valdez.ak.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/578, Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site. It can be a step hike at times. It was decent. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Great little morning walk. There is a viewpoint trail that overlooks Valdez and a trail that gives a great view of the dam. The trail was created to provide a close look at the hatchery’s dam, lake, and aqueducts. To be honest, I consider myself to be slightly less than average shape so that factors in. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. It can be a step hike at times. The Solomon Gulch Hatchery: National Geograhic - See 257 traveller reviews, 240 candid photos, and great deals for Valdez, AK, at Tripadvisor. Solomon Gulch The John Hunter Memorial Trail follows access roads and the TransAlaska Pipeline to end at Solomon Gulch Lake. The trail begins at the Solomon Gulch Hatchery, a place where millions of salmon are bred every year and the water is alive with fish. There is a sign-in sheet at the gate. Valdez Tourism; Valdez Hotels; Bed and Breakfast Valdez; Valdez Holiday Rentals; Flights to Valdez; Valdez Restaurants; Valdez Attractions; Valdez Travel Forum The hatchery releases about 250 million pink salmon fry and 1.8 million coho salmon smolt every year. It begins at a fish hatchery, ends at a dam, and runs along both a road for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the former route of a copper mining operation that used a five-mile-long aerial tramway to move ore to the port. Definitely worth taking the small turn to the left after the bridge to see the look over for the Port of Valdez. No need to register, buy now! The trail is primarily used for hiking and trail running. A few steep hills, but views at the end are definitely worth it. Go too far and you will hit a restricted area. Not a bad trail, but you’re following a power line road the whole time, so not too exciting. - unfortunately we did not complete..about 500 feet from the lookout was a bear...he wins. It is also cool to see they dam and see hydro power at work. The water reservoir for the facility is Solomon Lake, located South of the power house at an elevation of 600 feet above sea level. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. John Hunter Memorial Trail (Formerly Solomon Gulch Trail) climbs through a coastal spruce forest where it joins with the Trans Pipeline Service (TAPS) road and continues to Solomon Gulch. In 1915 an aerial tram ran 5.2 miles from the beach, to the Midas Mine on Solomon Gulch. If I would have realized that I may have wet it quite a bit earlier in the hike. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. We hiked on July 4th and had incredible weather. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Solomon Gulch Creek Solomon Gulch Creek runs from Solomon Lake to the Port of Valdez. There is a sign-in sheet at the gate. Which one is right for you? A waterfall through the Gulch is visible along Dayville Road. Car, train, or group tour. Stay left for the view point and right for the dam. 7 Map. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Finishing the hike with the waterfalls, dam, and lake was worth going up. Make sure to take pictures of the water and the waterfall being it too. After the bridge there is a three way fork in the road. Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. Hotels near The Solomon Gulch Hatchery, Valdez on Tripadvisor: Find 1,260 traveller reviews, 3,577 candid photos, and prices for 5 hotels near The Solomon Gulch Hatchery in Valdez, AK. The trail follows the road up another steep hill and then down to a bridge over Solomon Gulch. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. A great free place to see fish and sea lions hanging out. King Solomon Mountain can be approached from Little Giant Basin via the Arrastra Gulch access road. 2-5 day small ship explorations. The trail is primarily used for hiking and trail running. There was a problem with your submission. It is beautiful! 8. Hot sunny day, lake was fun to get into and cool off. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. See the Little Giant page for more info. The Solomon Gulch Trail Begins at Dayville Road near the Valdez Hatchery and has an excellent view of the downtown Valdez area from across Port Valdez. Solomon Gulch Trail. Box 307 Valdez, AK 99686 Phone: 907-835-4313 Fax: 907-835-2992 Make sure you have your bear spray. El sendero comienza una colina empinada antes de unirse a la Carretera de mantenimiento del oleoducto de Alyeska. On Solomon Gulch trail is wide the whole time, so not too.. Feet off as it feels great to put your feet in the hike leads to a viewing area the... 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