Summary:
A great hike that weaves in and out of forested area, on and off of the coast with cliffs dropping into the ocean. This hike must be hiked at low tide. It can be a day hike or a few day backpacking trip.

Location:
Seward, AK

Lenght:
4.5 miles one way; Fort McGilvray 6.5 one way

Difficulty:
Moderate

Trail Type:
Developed, Forested, Beach

Total Elevation Gain:
North beach 400 ft., Fort McGilvary another 600 ft.

Trail Profile:


Special Features:
Historical, Cliffs, Fishing, Fee Cabins, Campsites, Ocean

Best Season:
Summer, and early Fall

Directions to Trail Head:
Drive to the end of third Avenue in Seward and take a right at the 'T' intersection onto Lowell Point Rd. Drive 2 miles from third avenue to the trailhead on the left.

In-depth Description:
At the trail head it starts out on a road leading to a few private properties then follow the trail that branches off into a forested area that follows a dried up river bed up hill for a little while.

After climbing you then descend to Tonsina Creek, this marks 1.5 miles on the trail. It opens up to a beautiful view of ressurrection bay. After then hike a few hundred yards to the coast you hike along the coast for a few miles and then back up in the forest that then again spits you out onto the coast at Derby Cove that marks 4.0 miles on the trail (there is also a fee cabin here right on the beach that can be reserved in advance) in just .5 miles more you reach north beach with a developed camp area.

This is a great place to set up camp and continue the trail without you pack or finish the trail the next day. The trail then climbs up to a fork in the trail that makes 5.5 miles on the trail. One trail continues up hill to Fort McGilvray at 6.5 miles. Fort McGilvray has a full 360 degree view of resurrection bay, the town of Seward, the surrounding mountains, islands and glaciers.

Fort McGilvray also has a massive concrete tunnel system that was used during WW2. South Point beach trail gradually descends to a small secluded beach covered in round river stones. There is a small undeveloped camp area near the beach and if you feel like bushwacking there is a great waterfall not too far from the beach. This is also a great place to see seals, sea lions and other sea life.