Swan Lake Canoe Route August 16-18

We flew back to Anchorage, got a rental car, and drove through the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula to the Sterling area. We stayed at an authentic Alaskan B&B before meeting our canoe guide. From the Swan Lake Canoe Route entrance, we paddled across across five lakes, and portaged our canoe and gear on short trails between them. We camped at Spruce Lake, and returned the next day without seeing any other people.
Creel & Cartridge Lodge has a hot tub overlooking the lake, guarded by a stuffed porcupine.
view from the deck at Creel & Cartridge Lodge
Evan played with their very large and friendly Anatolian shepherd dog.

Swan Lake Canoe Route

Our guide met us with camping gear, food, and a canoe near Sterling, and we drove to west entrance of the Swan Lake Canoe Route. There was only one other truck in the parking area, and they were leaving as we put in.
A tree had fallen across the road to the canoe launch area.
Our guide sawed off branches and we moved them aside so our truck and canoe trailer could get by.
After a short walk to the lake, we packed equipment into the canoe and set off across Canoe Lake #1.
water lilies almost covered the shallow areas of Canoe Lake #1
heading into the canoe waterway between Canoe Lakes #1 and #2
Our guide had to saw off a branch so we could get through one spot.
We unloaded our gear and carried it ¼ mile on the trail between Canoe Lakes #2 and #3.
We played in the water while our guide made an extra trip carrying gear.
These signs mark the portages between the lakes in the Swan Lake Canoe Route.
snack stop at Canoe Lake #3
The last section of the portage to Canoe Lake #3 has a boardwalk.
canoeing across the spruce-lined Canoe Lake #3
portaging the ¼ mile trail between Canoe Lake #3 and Contact Lake
Contact Lake visible through the trees at the end of the portage
Our guide carried our Kevlar canoe across all but one of the portages.
We had lunch at Contact Lake, next to a shallow spot with slightly warmer water.
Paul and Evan went swimming in Contact Lake.
Evan covered himself in mud from the shallow edge of Contact Lake.
We paddled through a patch of lily pads on Contact Lake.
Most of the flowers were just about to open.
The portage to Martin Lake was the longest, about ⅓ mile.
We saw a pair of swans with baby goslings at the edge of Martin Lake.
The waterway to Spruce Lake was marked with the canoe trail sign, but would have been hard to find if our guide didn't know where to look.
Thw waterway between Martin and Spruce lakes was windy and narrow.
We entered Spruce Lake through a section of tall reeds.
Paul tried fishing for trout from the guide's kayak, but didn't catch any.
After dinner, we paddled to the next portage, left the boats, and walked ½ a mile to Trout Lake.
Evan wore his wetsuit and went swimming.
Our guided pointed out beaver-chewed trees.
The mosquitoes were fierce on the trail between Trout and and Spruce Lakes.
our camp on our Spruce Lake -- our only neighbors were loons
a loon swam by our campsite, and we heard them calling at night
Our campsite had several log seating areas.

Day 2: Spruce Lake to the West Entrance

We slept late, then packed everything back into our canoe and retraced our route from Spruce Lake to Martin Lake, Contact Lake, and Canoe Lakes #1-#3.
heading for the waterway to Martin Lake
The waterway entrance is at the sign, through the lily pads.
looking for portage marker on Contact Lake
We saw a bald eagle fly over Canoe Lake #3 as we arrived.
canoeing Canoe Lake #3
back into the waterway between Canoe Lakes #3 and #2
trying to squeeze the canoe through a narrow part of the waterway
Evan got out and walked part of the waterway between Canoe Lakes #3 and #2
Evan swam across a narrow section of Canoe Lake #1.
last section of lily pads before leaving Canoe Lake #1
our empty canoe as we were leaving the Swan Lake Canoe Trail

To Moose Pass

We went to the Fred Meyer's in Soldotna for groceries, then drove back through the mountains to the tiny town of Moose Pass.
Swan Lake Canoe Route
Swan Lake Canoe Route
Day 2: Spruce Lake to the West Entrance
To Moose Pass