Patricia's Outdoors Site

POT
You need to have a cooking pot with you to boil drinking water, killing any parasites and bacteria that might be in it. A lot of people including myself carry a water filter to take care of this problem but water filters have moving parts and a ceramic filter element that could easily break. It's better to carry a light cooking pot, you will probably not need it but if your water filter breaks the cooking pot will save your life.

FIRE STARTER
Just use a regular cheap disposable cigarette lighter for starting fires but carry a magnesium block for emergencies.

FIRST AID
With a first aid kit in your pack you can feel a little bit safer maybe.

SLEEPING PAD
Good quality sleep is very important when your out in the woods, you feel a lot better if you get a good nights sleep. Sleep on something you are very comfortable on. I recommend an air mattress, they weigh a little bit but I think it's worth it.

STOVE
What would backpacking be without the "Trailstove" wood stove? I'll tell you, you would have to carry fuel in your backpack, what a nightmare that would be. You would have to worry about running out of fuel, or about your gas canister catching fire.

FOLDING TOOL
Going into the wilderness without a decent multi purpose tool is not a good idea, unless of course you're dragging a whole toolbox with you.

Pu the branches together into a pyramid with the longer branch towards the wind, make sure that they're securely joined, tie something around the top if you need to.

Line the two long walls with ribs consisting of branches resting against the long branch.

If you want to and you have plenty of time you can prepare the ground under the shelter ahead of time by digging down a few inches and burning a fire on the ground for a few hours and then covering the coals with the dirt from the dig. This way the ground in your shelter will be warm and dry all night long.

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a composite of ecosystems representative of many regions of Alaska. The spectacular scenery stretches from the shores of Cook Inlet, across the Chigmit Mountains, to the tundra covered hills of the western interior. The Chigmits, where the Alaska and Aleutian Ranges meet, are an awesome, jagged array of mountains and glaciers which include two active volcanoes, Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Iliamna. Lake Clark, 40 miles long, and many other lakes and rivers within the park are critical salmon habitat to the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, one of the largest sockeye salmon fishing grounds in the world. Numerous lake and river systems in the park and preserve offer excellent fishing and wildlife viewing.

- or -
Administrative Headquarters
4230 University Drive, Suite 311
Anchorage, AK 99508

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Open year round Highest Visitation June through September

Getting There
PLANE - Access to the Lake Clark region is by small aircraft. Float planes may land on the many lakes throughout the area. Wheeled planes land on open beaches, gravel bars, or private airstrips in or near the park. A one to two-hour flight from Anchorage, Kenai or Homer will provide access to most points within the park and preserve.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Scheduled commercial flights between Anchorage and Iliamna, 30 miles outside the boundary, provide another means of access.

Weather & Climate
June through August temperatures average between 50? and 65? F with considerable precipitation. Weather conditions in the region change suddenly and proper equipment, rain and cool weather gear, extra food, and extra cooking fuel, are essential for any back country travel. Frost and snow can occur in September and October, and in mid-summer evening frost should be expected. Strong winds can occur at any time. Winter temperatures can sink to -40? F.

Accessibility
Most National Park Service buildings and local visitor services, facilities, and air charters are not handicapped accessible.

Getting Around
There are no roads in the park. A two and one half mile trail to Tanalian Falls and Kontrashibuna Lake is accessible from the town of Port Alsworth. The 50 mile Telaquana Trail depicted on maps is an undeveloped historic route from Lake Clark to Telaquana Lake.

CAMPING

No Campground
There is currently no designated camping area in Port Alsworth, however camping is allowed without a permit throughout the park (with the exception of private inholdings).

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
PORT ALSWORTH VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year 8-5
Phone - (907) 781-2218
Closures - During the winter months, November through April, the visitor center is open on request.
Special Programs - Slide shows and videos of the park and surrounding area are available as staffing allows. Ranger guided hikes are available during the summer months.
Exhibits - Hands-on exhibits on natural history and history of the area.

POT	You need to have a cooking pot with you to boil drinking water, killing any parasites and bacteria that might be in it. A lot of people including myself carry a water filter to take care of this problem but water filters have moving parts and a ceramic filter element that could easily break. It's better to carry a light cooking pot, you will probably not need it but if your water filter breaks the cooking pot will save your life.
FIRE STARTER	Just use a regular cheap disposable cigarette lighter for starting fires but carry a magnesium block for emergencies.
FIRST AID	With a first aid kit in your pack you can feel a little bit safer maybe.
SLEEPING PAD	Good quality sleep is very important when your out in the woods, you feel a lot better if you get a good nights sleep. Sleep on something you are very comfortable on. I recommend an air mattress, they weigh a little bit but I think it's worth it.
STOVE	What would backpacking be without the "Trailstove" wood stove? I'll tell you, you would have to carry fuel in your backpack, what a nightmare that would be. You would have to worry about running out of fuel, or about your gas canister catching fire.
FOLDING TOOL	Going into the wilderness without a decent multi purpose tool is not a good idea, unless of course you're dragging a whole toolbox with you.