Cooper Landing, AK and the Upper Kenai River

7/26/13

Up early (for us elderly folks on vacation) we departed for the Russian Lake Falls trailhead with our packs, bear spray, and cameras in tow.  A bit of fog and low clouds gave us a cool time to hike to this incredible vantage point for viewing the currently in progress Sockeye red salmon run.  These salmon were born in Kenai Lake anywhere from one to five years ago.  They have traveled out into the Gulf of Alaska and return here to fresh water to spawn and die.  A true tale of survival of the fittest playing out before our eyes.

Five miles round trip through dense forest

Russian Lake Falls is a natural "fish ladder" for salmon

Here dozens await their turn and rest

Next step up is another pool of salmon headed home

Here you see one in the center of the picture.  We began cheering for each fish to make it upstream!

In the afternoon, once suitably attired (see us below) we departed on a three-hour float trip down the Kenai River.  The weather was beautiful, the water aqua-blue, and eagles and a bear kept us company down the river (not to mention the hundreds of salmon fishermen we encountered engaged in what the locals call “combat fishing”.  We observed a few dozen salmon being hauled to shore as we traveled along this afternoon.

Joy ready for any contingency

Don also prepares for getting wet in 40 degree waters

Off we go launching from Kenai Lake

This river is pristine, aquamarine blue, and dropping 440 feet toward the Cook Inlet some 80 miles away

A beautiful day on the world famous Kenai River

We encounter our first group of salmon fishermen (and ladies)

This is "Combat Fishing"

A Bald Eagle uses another method to fish soaring overhead us

This is drift-boat fishing for trout and silver salmon

Our guide Jeff prepares to haul out our boat at the end of the tour