Page 214 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

212  ALASK A AREA B Y AREA

9 Sand Point
440 miles (710 km) SW of Kodiak.
Transport map C5. * 975. ~ g
∑ sandpointak.com
Situated on the northwest
coast of Popof Island, the town
of Sand Point was set tled in
the late 19th century by the
Russians. Like nearby King Cove,
it has Aleut and Scandinavian
heritage, and these two groups
still consti tute the majority of its
popu lation. As with the rest of
the region, the area’s econ omy
has always been based on the
fishing industry. In 1898, a
trading post and cod fishing
station were set up by a San
Colorful iron springs at Surprise Lake in the Aniakchak Caldera Francisco seafood company,
and by the 1930s, fish processing
8 Aniakchak in 1931, have added several had become the dominant
National Monument small cinder cones and lava activity. Today, Sand Point is home
flows to the crater. to one of the largest fishing
200 miles (320 km) SW of Kodiak. Located within the caldera, fleets in the Aleutian region.
Transport map D5. ~ King Salmon, Surprise Lake is the remnant Visitors can view the large
then chartered floatplane to Surprise of a larger lake that once flocks of bald eagles that
Lake. n King Salmon airport termi­ existed here. After a weakness gather near the shore, ride the
nal, 246­3305. ∑ nps.gov/ania
developed in the caldera’s popular 14­mile (23­km) bike
southeastern wall, the lake trail, and visit the 1933 Russian
With the unofficial distinction drained. The resulting white­ Orthodox Church, which is
of being the least visited unit water Aniakchak River created listed on the National Register
in the US National Park System, the canyon known as The of Historic Places.
Aniakchak National Monument Gates and flowed 27 miles To visit Sand Point, travelers
is tucked away in a remote (43 km) to the Gulf of Alaska. will most likely take the Marine
corner of the Alaska Peninsula. Fed by brilliant red iron Highway ferry (see pp282–3)
The park’s most striking feature springs, Surprise Lake pro vides from Kodiak. The first stop
is the 2,000­ft (600­m) deep, floatplane access to the park on the journey is the tiny,
6­mile (10­km) wide Aniakchak and is the put­in point for beautifully situated village of
Caldera, an ash­filled bowl whitewater rafting trips. The Chignik, which is flanked by
formed 3,500 years ago when park has excellent hiking snow­capped peaks. Farther
Aniakchak Volcano collapsed oppor tunities, but hikers south is Perryville, founded by
into its own empty magma and rafters need to be self­ vil lagers from Katmai who
chamber. Over the millennia, sufficient and prepared for migrated after their homes were
minor eruptions, including one long weather­related delays. destroyed in the 1912 eruption

Magnificent lagoon at the mouth of the Aniakchak River in Aniakchak National Monument
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p245 and p255

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