The Kenai 250, Alaska

When to go

• The annual race takes place in late June around the summer solstice offering almost 24 hours of daylight, however the rest of summer months offer almost unlimited daylight riding as well.
• Timing for this route is limited between late May (typically the earliest point when most snow will have melted) through September (when trails are overgrown and snow typically begins accumulating again). July is the most ideal time for riding with ample daylight and driest* weather. *Southcentral Alaska is a rainforest, so dry is relative…
• Being a lush rainforest, trails can become wet and almost overgrown most times of the year but more likely so in late summer (August and September).

Logistics

• Anchorage is the largest and closest Alaskan city to the Kenai Peninsula. Direct flights can be found on multiple airlines from many US cities.
• There are regular bus and train routes running between Anchorage and Seward making Seward an easy starting location. Otherwise, it would be simple to rent a car in Anchorage and park anywhere near the route to start riding.
• Although they are slower on the pavement sections, wide tires are recommended to help in wet or snowy conditions. Tires above 2.25” are ideal with many local riders preferring fat tires.

Dangers and Annoyances

• Bears need to be considered and planned around. Bear spray can be easily found in Anchorage.
• Moose encounters should be taken cautiously, if provoked they can be as dangerous as bears if not more.
• Although the trails connect via well-used paved roads, while on the trails you will be far from help without cell reception and need to plan accordingly.

• Most singletrack on the route lies within the Chugach National Forest where permits are not required for access.
• The US Forest Service operates and maintains most of the trails, campgrounds, and cabins on the peninsula.
• Cabins along the route can be rented in advance at recreation.gov, but are often booked in the high summer season.
• Private campgrounds can be found along the main roads.
• Backcountry campsites along the route typically don’t have amenities, but will occasionally have bear resistant lockers. Established campgrounds scattered along the paved roadways typically have bear lockers, potable water, pit toilets, etc.

• Hope, AK: the Seaview Cafe runs a small campground and offers solid food and beer all week and great music on weekends.
• Cooper Landing, AK: you can get groceries/do laundry/charge electronics at Wildman’s, but your best eating out option is the barbecue at Sackett’s.
• Seward, AK: this is the largest town on route with countless food and lodging options. Highest quality food goes to The Cookery, best pub fare can be found at Seward Brewing Company, and classic touristy seafood is best at Chinooks.
• There are almost countless treatable water sources along the route. Bring iodine, a filter, or boil large amounts for the following day at camp each night.

• All trails in the Kenai Peninsula follow a similar topography; they start with a climb from the trailhead up to a pass or plateau, generally have a rolling higher elevation and then drop back down to sea level with a well-earned descent.

• Trails on the Kenai generally have strong growth at their lowest elevation but then pop above tree line with rewarding views quite rapidly.

• Depending on snowmelt, it is likely you will encounter water crossings with varying conditions. At times deep, fast, and ice cold. Otherwise, there are no drawn out hike-a-bikes, only short sections around technical terrain.

Additional Resources

• The official Kenai 250 race website
• Chugach National Forest
• Recreation.gov for forest service cabin rentals
• Wandering by Bicycle’s trip report
• Trail Hunter: Lost Lake video
• Seward Bike Shop. Ron (owner) is a great resource on trail conditions. (907) 224-2448