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Gold Rush and Whales in Hope, Alaska (Moderate Family Friendly 15+ Project)

August 24, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - August 30, 2025 @ 8:00 am

Trip Navigation

Beluga whales and a gold rush town among scenic Alaskan Trails! The Gull Rock Trail offers some enthralling views as it extends for 5.7 miles along the south shore of the Turnagain Arm from the end of the Hope Highway to a rocky peninsula. It travels over gradual hills with occasional steep sections and has one of the least changes in elevation on the Seward Ranger District, providing a unique hiking experience in the forest.

At the end of the Gull Rock trail is Gull Rock, which is on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Land. It protrudes into the Turnagain Arm and offers many nooks and crannies to explore. Hope Point trail, which leaves from the Gull Rock Trailhead, makes a great day hike and adventurous hikers can fan out to other summits in the Kenai Mountains. The trail is scenic with outstanding views of Resurrection Creek Valley, Turnagain Arm, Cook Inlet, Fire Island, and the Chugach Mountains. The trail starts in a birch/spruce forest with a thick under story of grass and devil’s club and continues with switchbacks into alpine meadows lush with wildflowers. Wildlife in the area includes moose, bear, white beluga whale, and many birds.

Come help us remove a 130-foot section of boardwalk that has rotted and needs to be replaced. After volunteers work to demolish the existing boardwalk structure, volunteers will be using treated fir boards that have been cached near the worksite to construct a new structure. Work will involve hiking, heavy lifting of large pieces of lumber, dirt work with pulaskis, shovels and picks, and a lot of teamwork. The project lumber will be brought to the worksite by snow machine the winter before the project for the decking.

This project will allow for continued travel over this section of trail without creating muddy holes. If there is additional time, we will work on some light brushing and drainage work.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

Register

Host

Private: Seward Ranger District

Hiking/Access

Volunteers will hike about 1.5 miles from the campground to the project worksite daily. Elevation change is minimal and terrain will be fairly easy to walk and navigate. There will be roots and rocks in the trail and parts of the trail may be muddy and slippery.

Project Rating

Moderate

Minimum Volunteer Age

15

Maximum Group Size

6

Area and Attractions

Hope, Alaska is a 2-hour drive from Anchorage, following the Turnagain Arm waterway and driving through Turnagain mountain Pass. Porcupine campground is at the end of the Hope Highway road situated across the Turnagain Arm from Anchorage. Porcupine campground boasts an impressive scenic overlook of Turnagain Arm. The Turnagain Arm is a branch of the Cook Inlet, the waterway that divides the Kenai Peninsula from the mainland of Alaska. Beluga Whales can often be seen in these waters. The town of Hope is about a 25-minute walk from Porcupine Campground and is considered the best-preserved gold rush town in the region. Campers can head to town to explore the quaint historic streets and try their hand at gold panning. There are a couple of restaurants open in the summer season as well as a small general store just outside of town. Popular activities include fishing in Resurrection Creek, hiking the nearby trails, whitewater rafting with a couple of local companies, and gold panning. Both the Gull Rock Trail and the Hope Point trail are easily accessed from the town of Hope and begin at the same trailhead within walking distance from Porcupine campground. Resurrection Pass North trailhead is several miles outside of the Hope town center and this trail system travels 38 miles south to Cooper Landing. Palmer Creek Road is a 13-mile gravel road climbing from the Hope area to a high valley containing past and present mining activity.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will camp at Porcupine Campground in Hope, Alaska. There are picnic tables, vault toilets and potable water available at the campsite. Visitors have a prime location to watch windsurfers in the bay and spot Beluga whales from the scenic overlook. Volunteers need to bring their own tent and personal camping gear; sheets, bedding or sleeping bag; and personal cup, bowl, mug, and eating utensils.

Travel

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska is the closest airport. Airport shuttle will be arranged for volunteers flying into Anchorage.

Location

Chugach National Forest
AK United States + Google Map