Grace Ridge Trail

The feel

Grace Ridge starts on the gravel beach at Kayak Beach, once a rock quarry. An old road, now thick with alders, leads into old growth Sitka spruce, and around mile 1.4 you can hear hidden waterfalls. A creek near mile 1.6 is the last easy water before the climb opens into alpine country.

Above the trees the route follows knife ridges to the 3105 ft peak. You see Eldred Passage, Sadie Peak and the Cook Inlet volcanoes, and on a clear day Augustine, Iliamna, Redoubt and Spurr. Mountain goats, black bears and golden and bald eagles share the ridge, and the walk ends in spruce forest at Tutka Bay.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Point-to-point, 8.9 miles one way with 3100 ft of gain, from Kayak Beach to Tutka Bay. Forest and alders, then unmarked alpine knife ridges that are easy to follow, and a switchbacking descent into spruce.

Time

5.5 to 8 hours.

Parking

No road access. Water taxis run from the Homer Harbor, about 30 to 45 minutes to Kayak Beach, which is a beach landing.

Kids

Rated hard and not for beginners.

Hazards

Long climbs, and the south end is steeper than the north end. Alpine sections are unmarked, and the State trail report calls the trail Difficult with unknown conditions. Black bears are on the ridge.

Cell signal

Spotty at the back of Tutka Bay.

Bathrooms and water

Kayak Beach has 2 outhouses and stream water. Water: a good stream near mile 1.6, none on the ridge, and seasonal creeks near South Grace Trailhead.

Season and access

Reached only by water taxi. The north end is Kayak Beach Campsite and the south end is South Grace Trailhead. Allow 1/3 more than your usual hiking time on Kachemak Bay State Park trails.

Mingo says

Pick a clear day, because the volcano views are the reward. Start at South Grace Trailhead and end at Kayak Beach, because that direction is easier on your knees.

Before you go

• Book the water taxi both ways, with pickup at Kayak Beach or Quarry Beach, and call Mako's Water Taxi at 907-235-9055.
• Carry all your water for the ridge, and pack a lunch.
• Yurts are available at both ends if you want to stay overnight; no fires in the alpine areas.
• Call the Homer Ranger Station at (907) 235-7024 for current trail conditions.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.