Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

110  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

e Clam Gulch offshore halibut and salmon. steelhead trout. The seas around
When the king salmon are the area are rich in saltwater
23 miles (37 km) S of Soldotna.
Transport map A3. * 180. running upstream (usually the salmon and halibut.
@ Anchorage–Homer. first two weeks of June), the Anglers usually stay at the
Deep Creek State Recreation Anchor River State Recreation
As its name might suggest, Area Campground and the Area at Anchor Point. Those who
the highlight at Clam Gulch Ninilchik River Campground prefer a quieter campsite can
is clamming. The village itself is fill up and spill over into opt for the beautiful (and angler-
small, consisting of a few houses sur rounding private sites and free) Stariski State Recreation
and some services, but beneath RV parks. Anglers will probably Area north of Anchor Point. The
the sands of the beautiful enjoy the scene, while others park is perched on a bluff with
Cook Inlet coast lie some of the may prefer quieter areas. views across Cook Inlet to the
world’s most productive razor volcanoes beyond.
clam beds. At low tide, this
is the best place in Alaska to
dig for these delicious treats. y Nikolaevsk
Diggers will need rubber 64 miles (103 km) S of Soldotna.
boots, a clam shovel, bucket, Transport map A4. * 320.
and an Alaska fishing license
(see p45). The daily limit per Settled in 1960, Nikolaevsk
person is 60 clams. The clams village is home to the Old
are usually about 6 inches Believers, a sect of Russian
(15 cm) beneath the surface. Orthodoxy that broke away
A small dimple in the sand from the mother church and
indi cates the presence of a settled in Siberia after the
clam, but it is best to dig to the Anchor Point sign highlighting its location 17th-century religious reforms
side to avoid breaking its shell. on the highway system (see pp36–7). Those who
Clams will attempt to flee by wound up in Alaska estab-
burrowing into the sand, so t Anchor Point lished Nikolaevsk and several
diggers may well have to give 61 miles (98 km) S of Soldotna. surrounding villages.
chase. It is best to carry the Transport map A4. * 1,900. Visitors arriving along the
clams in a bucket of saltwater, @ Anchorage–Homer. n Sterling 9-mile (14-km) drive from
adding a bit of corn meal to let Hwy, opposite Anchor River Inn; 235- Anchor Point might feel as
them clean themselves before 2600. ∑ anchorpointchamber.org if they have passed through
they are cooked. a time warp. With distinctive
Named after an anchor that the architecture and demeanor,
British explorer Captain James the villagers’ lifestyle has only
r Ninilchik Cook lost on his voy age up been lightly touched by the
40 miles (65 km) S of Soldotna. Cook Inlet, the Anchor Point 21st century. One exception is
Transport map A4. * 880. community was estab lished by an enterprising local woman
@ Anchorage–Homer. n 567- homesteaders in 1949. The major who runs the Samovar Café
3571. _ Salmonfest Music attraction at this westernmost and a gallery of costumes
Festival, first weekend Aug. point on the contiguous US and artwork.
∑ ninilchikchamber.com Highway system is the Anchor There is a lovely Russian
River, with its abundant supply Orthodox Church which is
This traditional Russian-era of king and silver salmon, and worth a look, but its interior
Native village, whose name rainbow, Dolly Varden, and is closed to the public.
means “peaceful riverside place,”
is centered around the 1901
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Church. The photogenic onion-
domed church sits beside a
rambling Russian Orthodox
cemetery and offers fine views
across the inlet. While the
church is open for Sunday
services, it is closed to the
public on other days.
The Ninilchik River, a short
walk to the north of the Visitors’
Center, and Deep Creek, to the
south, are world-class salmon
fishing streams. Deep-sea
charters provide access to The traditional Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, Ninilchik
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp242–3 and pp251–2

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