Trip to Russian Falls on the Kenais Peninsula in Alaska

Easy hiking through the forest in Alaska to Russian Falls

Starting point

The trip starts at the paid parking lot (25 USD) where you can leave your car. There are toilets and places for camping.
 

Description of the hike

This short trip is good to take on the way to or from Seward/Kenai as a relaxation/stretch. After paying the $14 fee to enter by car, you will be taken to the parking lot where there are camping spots and restrooms (not tested).

From there, the only paved road basically continues to the end of the trail to the overlook at Russian Falls "waterfall". I can't imagine anyone getting lost (and I have a pretty big imagination). If you're lucky, you'll enjoy watching the salmon leaping out of the river.

The way back is the same. Alternatively, those who want to experience a bit of wilderness can turn onto the path leading down to the river just before the "waterfall" overlook and follow the river back. This part is no longer suitable for buggies, it is a narrow rocky forest path which then goes around the river and in places slightly in it. Along the way you may encounter sport fishermen, bears or really annoying swarms of mosquitoes.
 

Difficulty

The trail is suitable for strollers and anyone who can walk 5 km basically in a straight line. No special equipment is needed. If you have ever been to Janosikova Hole in Slovakia in Mala Fatra and know how tourists dress there, you will be at home.

Unfortunately, they have to leave the Chihuahua at home, almost all parks in Alaska have a dog ban. Max hides it in his backpack (untested). I definitely recommend bringing mosquito repellent though. You can buy this at pretty much any store, just OFF, no need for expedition.
 

Water availability

You can't buy food or drink here. You could refresh yourself in the river. A pint of bottled water per person was enough for us.
 

Sleeping options

It is possible to camp and sleep in the parking lot, I have not tested other accommodation options.
 

Mountain peaks

The road leads in the undergrowth still through the forest, you can see the mountains only from the parking lot.
 

Danger

Like all of Alaska, I guess, bears and swarms of really nasty mosquitoes.
 

Food

You can't buy food here, you have to take everything with you.
 

Attractions

Bears - caution is definitely in order, I'll leave it up to each of you. I'll just write our experience and it was basically true in all the locations we visited. Bears are not primarily interested in humans and if you have at least one person in your group who can talk now and then, the bear will know about you and all is well.

You must not surprise/threaten him. If you have already met him, you are to get out of his way/not run away. If your group doesn't talk, just put a bell on your pack. If you want to feel safe, you can buy a spray to scare the bear away. Instructional materials say do a wind check, arm and fire, range was I think within 10 yards.

If you're attacked by a black bear, you're supposed to actively defend yourself. If a brown bear, you are to make a dead run and protect your vital organs, if it continues to attack anyway, active defense is to follow on your part (untested). Park rangers will give you a briefing if requested. Ironically, more people are injured by moose than bears. On the way out of Anchorage, one could visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center animal sanctuary, where you can see lots of animals for $25 (we saw our first Alaskan bear here). You can buy snacks or a souvenir.