Heitman Lake Hike
 I joined another Audubon Society hike up the
Heitman Lake Trail.
Despite the fact that it was drizzling and foggy, Suzanne Hancock, a
legislative aid who lives in Kodiak, still led us up the easy mile hike to the
lake. We could not see very much
due to poor visibility, but we still had fun.
On a sunny day it is likely a lovely hike. Suzanne told us that a waterfall could ordinarily be seen
in good weather.
 Karen, Nick, Tammy, Shawn and Nick also decided to buck the
weather and join the hike. They
were all local, and had decided that if they allowed rain to stop them from having fun, they would have to live
with spending much of the year indoors. It
took us all of two hours to complete the two mile round trip to the lake and
back. To find the trail, drive east
out Chiniak Road 9.2 miles beyond Buskin River Bridge. The trailhead and parking will be on the right side of the
road. The parking looks like it was
cleared by a bulldozer pushing black rock up into piles a truck’s length away
from the road. There are no
facilities and no cost to use the trial. Ordinarily
the Audubon Society charges $2 for their guided hikes, but Suzanne decided not
to collect. Even at $2, you really
cannot beat having an experienced guide lead a hike.
I sure appreciated the Audubon Society hikes and look forward to
exploring more of the island with them on future trips to Kodiak.
They are very well organized, and even publish a hiking guide for those
who would like to venture out on their own.
The guide can be found at the ferry terminal, Abercrombie Ranger Station
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Information Center next to Buskin River
Campground.
 The Heitman Lake Trail begins through a marshy area.
Waterproof boots are recommended, but a good pair of hiking boots with
wool socks can still work even when wet. You
may be able to keep dry if you hike on a sunny day, but we were all doomed to
soaked feet regardless of what we wore. Once
across the first marsh the trail is well worn and relatively easy to follow. It passes through high brush and grasses, including many
salmon berry bushes, which promise good eating in July and August.
The trail is a gradual climb up to the power line poles.
There is a clearing right under one of the poles before the trail begins
to climb up again. There are
several small creek crossings and marshy spots, but overall the trail was in
good shape.
The wildflower population was good along this trail as
well. The chocolate lilies were
abundant and the blooming salmonberry bushes were a vibrant pink.
 Once we arrived at the lake, Nick and his dog Ginger
demonstrated that the lake was completely swimmable. Nick estimated the temperature at a balmy 45F.
Nick and Suzanne also mentioned that this particular lake is a popular
ice skating spot during the winter. It
is one of the few lakes nearby that freezes thick enough to support ice skaters.
For those even more adventurous, and those who are less
adventurous but have nicer weather and want even better views, the trail
continues on past the lake. Rumor
has it the trail goes another mile up for some spectacular views and ridges
connecting miles of top of the world hiking.
For more information, Nick sponsors his own Kodiak website
at www12.virtualtourist.com/m/.190463/2528/?s=S.
He posts a lot of helpful
information and some helpful tips about making the most of your Kodiak trip.
Click here for a
topographical map.
Last
visited June 2002
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