Page 111 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

THE KENAI PENINSULA  109

St. Nicholas Chapel, a replica
of Fort Kenay, and the onion-
domed Holy Assumption
of the Virgin Mary Russian
Orthodox Church. Founded
in 1846, the church’s present
building was constructed
between 1894 and 1895.
The interior is deco rated
with Russian artifacts, some
from the early 19th century.
In spring, the salt marsh at
Kenai Flats State Recreation
Site, across the Warren Ames
Bridge over the Kenai River,
attracts large flocks of Siberian Historic buildings at the old salmon cannery complex at Kenai Landing, Kenai
snow geese. With interpretive
panels, picnic tables, a board- well as swimming, canoeing, w Kenai National
walk, and viewing scope, it will and fishing in Stormy Lake. Wildlife Refuge
delight birders. A little farther Wildlife, including moose,
west, on Cannery Road, a salmon bears, loons, and sandhill Transport map A4. @ Anchorage–
can nery compound dating cranes, can be spotted in Homer. n Ski Hill Rd, 43655
Kalifornsky Beach Rd, Soldotna;
from 1922 has been con verted the park. The beach is popular 262-7021.  ∑ kenai.fws.gov
into Kenai Landing. The ware- with agate hunters, but visi tors
house has been dismantled, but should avoid the danger ous The Alaska National Interest
recent renovations include the mudflats just offshore. Lands Conservation Act of
historic administration building. Along the dead-end road 1980 (see p61) changed the
to the recreation area, visitors name of the Kenai National
can pick up supplies and look Moose Range to the Kenai
q Captain Cook around the oil town of Nikiski, National Wildlife Refuge,
State Recreation 9 miles (14 km) to the south. and expanded it to its current
Area Formerly known as North area of almost 3,125 sq miles
Kenai, this town began as a
(8,094 sq km). The refuge covers
25 miles (40 km) N of Kenai at Mile 36, homesteading area in the 1940s high peaks, glaciers, muskeg,
Kenai Spur Hwy. Transport map A3. and grew with the discovery of and lake-studded bog. This
n 262-5581. &  ∑ dnr.alaska. oil in Cook Inlet. At the end of landscape provides habitat
gov/parks/units/captcook.htm Nikiski Beach Road, fine views for a range of wildlife, from
open up across Nikishka Bay moun tain goats, Dall sheep,
Located on the shores of and the Cook Inlet oil and bears to moose,
Cook Inlet, the Captain Cook drilling platforms, and caribou, and wolves.
State Recreation Area is named beyond to the active The refuge is also
after British explorer Captain volcano Mount Spurr. home to lynx, coyotes,
James Cook, who explored the The large domed and water fowl such
area in 1778. One of Alaska’s Nikiski pool, funded Kenai National Wildlife as trum peter swans
quieter parks, its forests, lakes, by the oil companies, Refuge sign and migratory birds.
streams, and beaches offer boasts a hot tub and a Access to the
picnic sites, hiking routes, winding 136 ft (41 m) water refuge’s wild southern part
and camping at the large slide that is very popu lar with can be challeng ing, but the
Discovery Campground, as residents and visitors. northern areas feature several
public camp grounds, 200 miles
(322 km) of hiking trails, and
two world-class canoe routes.
The 80 mile (128 km) Swanson
River Canoe Route links over
40 lakes with the Swanson
River, ending in the Captain
Cook State Recreation Area.
The 60 mile (96 km) Swan
Lakes Loop is a system of
32 lakes, accessible from
the Swanson River and Swan
Lake Roads. Equip ment can
be hired and tours organized
Lakes and forests at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in nearby towns.

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