Finding a beach

Posted by Alaskology

Posted: July 7, 2008 - 4:31 pm

Gina and Laurel stroll along the beach at Kincaid Park with Mount Susitna in the background.

Alaska is so big that sometimes you miss the treats right in your own backyard.

You might even say that about Kincaid Park itself. The park is a wintertime destination for cross-country skiers. Gina and I go frequently. In the summer, we'll hit the mountain bike trails or find a geocache or two. And the Coastal Trail connects the park with downtown Anchorage, so it's popular for that reason too. And it's one of the best places to watch a sunset. (Although they lock the gates at 10 p.m.)

One thing we’d never enjoyed was the beach at Kincaid. But we made our first visit there last week. And we’ll be back for more.

One thing we've missed since we moved to Alaska from Michigan in 2000 is the wonderful West Michigan beaches. In just a few minutes, we could be walking on the sand along Lake Michigan.

The view southeast from the beach at Kincaid Park includes the Kenai Mountains in the distance.

No such beach destinations here. (Although we do enjoy Bishop's Beach in Homer, but it's still not like Michigan.)

Now we have a beach destination right here in town -– at Kincaid Park, less than 20 minutes from our house. It’s not really a sand-castle and naked-toes kind of beach, but it is a wonderful way to get down to the water.

The day we visited the tide was in and the waves were lapping at the rocks. It was a perfect match of waves, wind and wildness – not too wild, just enough to make you feel like you had the place to yourself.

-- Steve

How to get there: Kincaid Park is the westernmost location in Anchorage. It can be reached by driving west on Raspberry Road. Once in the park, walk along the Coastal Trail toward the beach. Beware of the 10 p.m. gate closing.

Beach walkers frequently turn driftwood into interesting creations.

login or register to post comments