Approximately 4 miles north of Homer, turning left off the Sterling Highway across from Diamond Ridge Road is the access to this trail. You can park here, or shave off a 1/2 mile of hiking by driving down a dirt road on the West side of the highway to the trailhead.
The trail’s upper half is mostly switchbacks with a crushed-rock surface, and there are areas of blue clay that can be slick and muddy when wet. The last half of the trail is fairly steep; with abrupt edges along the narrow and slippery trail.
Once at the bottom, you’re about halfway between the mouth of the Anchor River and Bishop’s Beach (about 15 miles in either direction). Here you’ll find fantastic tide pooling at low tide. The shore along this stretch of Cook Inlet is quite shallow, so when the tide is out, a large portion of beach is exposed, along with interesting creatures like sea stars, anemones, and crabs. Check out all the live barnacles attached to the rocks. And keep an eye out for eagles, otters, sea ducks, and possibly whales.
Distance: 2 miles