Caines Head Overnight | Seward Wilderness Collective

Trip Details

Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Ages: Ages 9+
Hike Length: 6 miles | 5 - 7 hours
Kayak Length: 4 miles each way | 2 hours
Timing: 7:30 AM morning of departure-4:30 PM afternoon of return. Mandatory pre-trip meeting the night before departure at 7PM
Terrain Challenges: This hike is 6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1,600 feet on unstable, uneven, and steep terrain.
***NOTE: we also offer this trip without the kayaking portion. For an additional fee, get dropped off by a water taxi and save your energy for hiking***

2 Guests Per person: $650

3 Guests Per person: $600

4 - 6 Guests Per person: $575

The best of Resurrection Bay in one adventure

To paddle, or to hike? People come from all over the world to experience the power of the ocean and the majesty of the mountains.With our Caines Head Overnight, you can choose both. From along the coast of Resurrection Bay to high above it, two full days spent in the Alaskan back country provides a true fjordland excursion.

The kayak from Lowell Point to Caines Head showcases the wonders of the fjord. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, sea otters, Steller’s sea lions, bald eagles, and more as we paddle down the coast.

From the rocky beach, hike up through a fairytale spruce forest of moss-decorated giants. After breaking treeline, gaze out over the barrier islands at the head of the bay and beyond, into the open Gulf of Alaska.

Learn about both the marine ecosystem and the equally fragile alpine habitat, where we’ll continue for even farther-reaching vistas if time permits. With cooperative weather, observe the glaciers pouring from the Harding Icefield, and gain a better understanding of the ice cycle and how it is changing.

Highlights

Hike AND kayak! Or substitute the paddle for a wildlife viewing boat ride
Travel the bay in the most intimate way on your way to your campsite
Climb gradually from sea level to the alpine ridges overlooking Resurrection Bay
Spend two days in the remote backcountry where the mountains meet the fjords

- Positive attitude
- Day hiking pack (can be provided if needed)
- Rain jacket & rain pants (can be provided if needed)
- Warm synthetic layers
- Warm wool socks
- Hiking boots or sneakers
- Refillable water bottle
- Camera
- Knowledgeable Guide
- AK climate change info
- Hiking poles (if desired)
- Day hiking pack (if needed)
- Warm, Healthy, Made from Scratch Meals
- Snacks, Coffee and Hot Drinks
- High Quality Rain Gear (if needed)
- Transportation From Downtown Office
- Camping Gear
  - Tents
  - Kitchen Tarp, Mess Kit, Coffee Mug
  - You will need to provide your own sleeping bag and pad, or you can rent those items for an additional fee of $25 per person.
- All Kayaking Gear
  - Personal Flotation Device
  - Spray Skirt
  - Neoprene Mitts
  - 10 Liter Dry Bag
  - Stable Double Kayak & Paddle
- We will host a mandatory pre-trip meeting the night before your trip at 7 pm at our kayak shop in downtown Seward. This is a great opportunity to meet your guide and other guests on the tour, discuss bear safety, go over the itinerary, weather conditions, and get any last minute questions answered. We will meet the following morning at 7:30 am at the kayak shop, then head to Lowell Point for departure
- The next two days will be full of adventure as we paddle along the western shores of Resurrection Bay. Try to count the numerous waterfalls as we pass by Tonsina Point and Callisto Cove on our way to Derby Cove where we’ll make camp. We’ll enjoy a delicious homemade lunch before swapping the coast for the mountains. We’ll climb through the enchanting coastal temperate rainforest bursting with moss and ferns. Powering through the uphills, our efforts will be rewarded with a stunning view of Resurrection Bay, the barrier islands, and potentially some of the glaciers that are the soul of this wild land. After returning to base camp, you’ll spend the evening skipping stones and relaxing by the ocean before enjoying a warm dinner in the tranquility of the wilderness. Listen to the sound of waves lulling you to a well deserved sleep . The next day, start the morning with a hot breakfast and warm drinks prepared by your guide before heading out for another exploratory hike in the temperate rainforest. Learn about the climate issues facing coastal Alaska and the ideas our community is generating to help.
- After lunch in base camp, prepare to greet the ocean as you load into kayaks for the return journey. As you paddle back, you’ll be able to look at the surrounding peaks and appreciate more fully the diversity of this ecosystem. Keep your eyes peeled for sea otters bobbing in the water and listen to stories of Alaska from your guide. Once you land at Lowell Point, you’ll be shuttled the short 10 minute drive back to the shop.
- Seward is located in the northern tip of the largest coastal rainforest in the world, and we see a lot of rainy days here. Our tours run rain or shine, so we ask you to wear synthetic layers of clothing, because cotton (including jeans) get really cold if they get wet. We will not allow cotton or jeans on a multi- day trip as staying warm is a safety concern when in the backcountry. Synthetic and or wool clothing is a must.
- We also require you to have a waterproof rain jacket and rain pants, as this is a multi-day tour in a potentially very cold and wet environment. If you do not have your own rain gear, we offer high quality, commercial grade rain jackets and pants for you to borrow at no extra cost. If your Alaska vacation includes any outdoor activities, we strongly advise purchasing your own rain gear for your trip. You’ll no doubt need both a rain jacket and rain pants throughout your time in Alaska.
  Please wear footwear that you’re comfortable hiking in, will keep you warm, and you don’t mind potentially getting a bit wet). We have rubber boots to lend if needed, but these don’t insulate as well and we’ve found people are most comfortable in their own shoes. Your guide will launch and land your kayaks from shore and will work hard throughout the day to keep your feet warm and dry. A pair of crocs, running shoes or other low profile comfortable shoes can also be brought as a camp shoe.
- We also provide pogies (neoprene mitts for your hands while kayaking) which will keep your hands warm and comfortable while you’re out there. You’ll want to be sure to have your own reusable (non-disposable) water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
  You will receive a trip-specific packing list upon booking, which will go into great detail about what else to bring. Keep an eye out for it in your confirmation email!
For an additional fee, you can substitute the kayaking portion of the trip for a water taxi ride and get dropped off at Caines Head. We work with a knowledgeable local captain who runs a small, 6-passenger landing craft. Your safety is our top priority and the exact route for the boat tour will be determined by sea conditions, but will include some sightseeing en route. The captain will keep an eye out for wildlife along the way and show you the highlights of our incredible fjord country.
Responsible travelers drive sustainable practices in the travel industry. With travel contributing up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, it’s time for us to think about our impacts.
Purchase carbon offsets for your flights to AK through our partner Offset Alliance, and your contributions will go directly to protecting a biodiverse coastal rainforest on Afognak Island, southwest of Seward. This rainforest acts as an important carbon sink, capturing 2.6 billion pounds of CO2.
We’ll support your decision to travel responsibly by sending you a discount code for 5% off of this tour. Click here to offset and save.
- For all tours without a water taxi guests will receive a full refund for cancellations made more than 1 week prior to your trip date*. Within 1 week, your trip fees are nonrefundable.
  For all tours with a water taxi, cancellation fees are as follows:
  - If you cancel more than 30 days prior to your scheduled trip, we will refund you in full* (minus a $10 per person booking fee for day trips and a $25 per person booking fee for multi-day trips).
  - If you cancel 15-30 days prior to your scheduled trip, we will charge the card on file 20% of the total invoice.
  - If you cancel 8-14 days prior to your scheduled trip, we will charge the card on file 50% of the total invoice.
  - If you cancel 0-7 days prior to your scheduled trip, we will charge the card on file the entire amount of your invoice.
- *Full refunds include: trip fees, add ons, and taxes & fees, minus $10 per person booking fees for all half & full day trips & $25 per person booking fees for multi-day trips*
  For more information regarding our cancellation policies, click here.
  We strongly advise purchasing a travel protection plan (see Travel Insurance below).
Why is travel insurance so important?

In today’s dynamic travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, a sudden sickness or injury, or even baggage loss could impact your travel plans. Cancellation fees can range up to 100% of the trip cost, depending on the date and particular trip for which you’ve been holding spaces. For your convenience, we’ve partnered with GoReady Travel Insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For more information on available plans, click here.