Kachemak Bay Adventure Trail
Kackemak Bay Adventure Trail (KBAT) would be a defined route that
weaves along the perimeter of Kachemak Bay, over both water and land. Inspired
by the recent addition of the Kachemak Bay Water Trail, this wilderness route would
be designed for the dual sport of using a wide-tired bicycle in conjunction
with an inflatable raft.
The packraft and fat-bike were born in Alaska and have grown in
popularity worldwide. Kachemak Bay is a perfect location for this dual sport,
offering a wide variety of the terrain, which these vehicles were designed for.
Starting in Anchor Point and finishing at the Jakolof Bay harbor, this route
has the potential to be the world’s first trail specifically designed for
fat-bikes and packrafts.
Fatbiking brings the unparalleled human efficiency of the
bicycle to the wilderness, extending a traveler’s range, and broadening the experience
of wilderness travel. Packrafts can carry bikes, and bikes can carry packrafts,
and a number of adventurers have demonstrated that these two modes of transport
work exceedingly well together. A “trail” incorporating both would seek
to link beaches, roads, and trails that are fatbikable via interesting and
varied marine, river, and lake paddling. Used in conjunction this
combination creates a diverse and fascinating experience.
This method of travel has only recently been made possible
with the advent of modern equipment. A fat-bike has tires at least 4” wide,
allowing the rider to roll over rough terrain such as beach sand, gravel, and
soft trails. The packraft is an inflatable, human powered watercraft that
typically weighs 5 lbs or less, that can be stowed in a small, tight roll and is
propelled by a break-apart kayak paddle. When used together, the adventure
cyclist can become aquatic and can traverse flat or moving water to link
together bikable sections. The beaches, rivers, trails and bays of Kackemak Bay
are ideal for their combined employment.
The complete route would primarily be a summer trail and would
take approximately three to five days. Adventurers would be advised to employ a
leave-no-trace camping ethic, be alerted to private property boundaries, obey
common courtesy with regard to other trail users and yield to other watercraft.
A defined route will help establish proper etiquette amongst this recently
defined user group.
The designation of KBAT could draw a new and unique demographic to Kachemak Bay and set an example for possibilities and benefits of this burgeoning sport. Although small in numbers, we believe this user group to be a valuable and growing population that would treasure Kachemak Bay, foster respect for its pristine environment and help maintain and preserve it for generations to come.
