Arrival: Karluk Lake

Karluk Lake lays about 88 airmiles SSW from the town of Kodiak on Kodiak Island.   We flew about one hour by floatplane from Kodiak.

The Karluk River originates at the northwestern end of Karluk Lake.   The river runs 22 miles from the lake outlet to the sea.

At the outlet of Karluk Lake, spawning Sockeye Salmon congregate by the thousands.   This is where our adventure began.   There is a small cabin located here, it is generally occupied by a representative of the local Native Corporation.   A permit is required for all individuals passing through the Corporation lands.   The permit costs $100.

Karluk Lake is accessible only by aircraft.   We were delivered to the lake by the workhorse of Alaska:  The DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver.

Our arrival at Karluk Lake coincided with the summer solstice.   Beautiful weather and late night sunlight lended outstanding conditions for photography.

Wildflowers are abundant throughout the treeless hillsides of Southwest Kodiak Island.