Page Type Page Type: Mountain/Rock
Location Lat/Lon: 57.75449°N / 152.54942°W
Additional Information County: Kodiak (borough)
Activities Activities: Hiking
Seasons Season: Fall
Additional Information Elevation: 2500 ft / 762 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Alaska airlines in Kodiak
Alaska airlines in Kodiak

This is reputed to be Kodiak, Alaska’s most popular mountain and is located at the end of the airport runway about 4 miles from town. There is a well defined path heading up the east ridge once you gain several hundred feet. I encountered a tough bushwhack to get there from the end of the runway in 5 – 6 foot brush. The views from along the route are outstanding and you get a nice view of Kodiak from near the top. I enjoyed watching an Alaska Airlines 737 take off while I was climbing. The roundtrip distance is about 4 miles and elevation gain is near 2,500'.

Getting There

I suppose getting to Kodiak is the main challenge! I spent 6 hours there during a cruise port call. Due to the brevity of our visit, I took a taxi along with fellow passengers Jill and Russ to the end of the airport runway on Rezanoff Drive West. We were unable to locate the reputed broad trail leading up the road bank into the brush from that area and ended up fighting the Alaska bush going in. Coming out we tried an alternate which is as follows: 

first turn off highway
first turnoff from highway

 

next gatenext gate
leave gravel road
leave gravel road on left


After you cross the Buskin river heading toward the airport, take the first right up a gravel road beside a power line. Walk around a gate and take a left fork continuing to follow the power line for 2-3 minutes and look for a path off the road on your left. This path is a shortcut to basically rejoin the power lines and at the end of the path, scramble up a small rise to rejoin the power line and related road. Turn left onto a decent road beside the power lines and head toward the east ridge near the base of the mountain. Watch for a small path on your right as you near the ridge and this will take you through the brush and onto the nice path up the east ridge to the summit. 

path to east ridge
path to east ridge from powerline road




Red Tape

summit photosummit photo of city and airport

There is no red tape involved to climb this mountain

When to Climb

Probably most of the year due to the moderate climate and low elevation

External Links

Hiking trails in Kodiak

Hiking the Alaska Adventurer Cruise