Kelly Lake Upper Kenai Peninsula

Kelly Lake Upper Kenai Peninsula August 11^th and 12^th

We traveled only about 30 miles today to the Kelly and Peterson Lakes Recreation Area. Folks that we met in Haines, Don and Marcia, told us about this serene little oasis as well as the Anchor Point that we stayed at in Homer.

There were only 4 sites and, fortunately, we were able to grab the only spot that was directly on the lake.  

It was relaxing even though it was raining off and on while we were there. We were able to get a 3 mile hike in up past Kelly Lake to Hiker’s Lake and back. Thankfully, we had our mosquito head nets with us and our hiking sticks.

Chopping with mosquito net

The trail was a virtual root obstacle course. Our excitement was to see a beaver home in the lake and right behind us was a tree upon which the beaver (s) were gnawing when we weren’t looking (they are nocturnal, of course.) The diameter of the tree was drastically reduced during the 2 nights that we were there and Tim saw a beaver swimming away one early morning.

Beaver home

One of the mornings, a seaplane landed on the lake and taxied to our campsite where Tim helped him tie up to a tree so he could get out and make a phone call. After about a half an hour, he climbed in and was off. It was a vintage aircraft (1952) Cessna and in really good shape (as far as we could tell anyway.) Having a float plane in Alaska seems almost like having a compact car for around town commuting. There are lakes and planes everywhere. Tim’s getting ideas!!!

We would highly recommend both Anchor Point and Kelly and Peterson Lake Recreation Areas for camping. Small, quiet and inexpensive. No hook ups, but if you are in an RV, then you have water on board and a generator, if needed, and these campgrounds supply the view. 

Kelly Lake in early morning