Clam Gulch Lodge — Hotel in Alaska

The drive in from Anchorage is among the most eye-catching you're likely to find short of a trip to Iceland. Mountains dominate the landscape, with clouds hanging closely to their tops, small caps of snow dotted sporadically on taller slopes, and an ocean view to the east form so many photo opportunities, the 3-hour drive could easily extend into twice again that time.| Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the owners, Gary and Pam, who assisted in our getting settled and made us feel more like family than paying guests. They arranged all our excursions/activities during our 10 day trip, with only two days not comprised of traipsing about the area in search of a new discovery.| For those that don't read the fine print, the lodge is nestled on top of a 300-foot cliff overlooking the Cook Inlet. The views are stunning, even with heavy cloud cover. The beach experiences 30+ foot tidal shifts, so your view is never the same on any given day. The sheer drops and rugged terrain serve to establish that this isn't a tamed tourist trap; this area is as natural and unblemished as one is likely to find in our over-exploited natural wonders world.| Each day begins with a made-from-scratch meal at a time of your choosing, served in the communal area of the lodge. Each morning was a different culinary delight. From bacon slow cooked on a pellet grill, to homemade bread pudding with caramel sauce, your stomach will be bursting before you leave out the door for the day. They also provide lunches, which were as scrumptious as the breakfasts!| We fished for Silver Salmon (what was open to us during our stay) on the Middle River. We fished for Halibut and Cod in the bay. We kayaked around a few small islands in Homer. We toured glaciers on a power catamaran out of Seward. We went dog sledding with a 3-time Iditarod champion. Each and every trip was personally arranged through Gary and Pam, as they knew the people that ran each activity, and we were treated like family everywhere we went. At no point did we feel like a number or a dollar sign. There isn't anything you would want to do in Alaska that Gary can't arrange for you. Want to fly over and see bears? Want to hunt moose? Want to eat reindeer? Want some history or local knowledge about something you saw on a drive/trip out? Gary and Pam can provide context and content to fill a book!| Perhaps the most cherished part of our trip was the relationship we formed with Gary and Pam during our stay. It truly felt as though we were visiting our parents or close family the entire time. Many hours of our down time were spent just visiting, playing board games, going to the beach together, or talking about life in general. They are what make the place special. We will definitely visit again in the winter to partake of the other set of activities in Alaska and can't wait to...

The drive in from Anchorage is among the most eye-catching you're likely to find short of a trip to Iceland. Mountains dominate the landscape, with clouds hanging closely to their tops, small caps of snow dotted sporadically on taller slopes, and an ocean view to the east form so many photo opportunities, the 3 hour drive could easily extend into twice again that time. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the owners, Gary and Pam, who assisted in our getting settled and made us feel more like family than paying guests. They arranged all our excursions/activities during our 10 day trip, with only two days not comprised of traipsing about the area in search of a new discovery. For those that don't read the fine print, the lodge is nestled on top of a 300-foot cliff overlooking the Cook Inlet. The views are stunning, even with heavy cloud cover. The beach experiences 30+ foot tidal shifts, so your view is never the same on any given day. The sheer drops and rugged terrain serve to establish that this isn't a tamed tourist trap; this area is as natural and unblemished as one is likely to find in our over-exploited natural wonders world. Each day begins with a made-from-scratch meal at a time of your choosing, served in the communal area of the lodge. Each morning was a different culinary delight. From bacon slow cooked on a pellet grill, to homemade bread pudding with caramel sauce, your stomach will be bursting before you leave out the door for the day. They also provide lunches, which were also as scrumptious as the breakfasts! We fished for Silver Salmon (what was open to us during our stay) on the Middle River. We fished for Halibut and Cod in the bay. We kayaked around a few small islands in Homer. We toured glaciers on a power catamaran out of Seward. We went dog sledding with a 3-time Iditarod champion. Each and every trip was personally arranged through Gary and Pam, as they knew the people that ran each activity, and we were treated like family everywhere we went. At no point did we feel like a number or a dollar sign. There isn't anything you would want to do in Alaska that Gary can't arrange for you. Want to fly over and see bears? Want to hunt moose? Want to eat reindeer? Want some history or local knowledge about something you saw on a drive/trip out? Gary and Pam can provide context and content to fill a book! Perhaps the most cherished part of our trip was the relationship we formed with Gary and Pam during our stay. It truly felt as though we were visiting our parents or close family the entire time. Many hours of our down time was spent just visiting, playing board games, going to the beach together, or talking about life in general. They are what make the place special. We will definitely visit again in the winter to partake of the other set of activities in Alaska and can't wait to...

Our family stayed in the Eagle's Nest cabin. A quiet place with great privacy and yet a short walk from the lodge. This spacious cabin also includes a kitchen with all the amenities. The view directly overlooks Cook Inlet from both the lodge and the cabin. You cannot go wrong by staying in either. Good location near the Kasilof river and not far from the Kenai river. Plus a nice drive down to Homer. It really splits up the drive from the mainland to Homer well. Gary Katsion is an excellent, hospitable host, who offers great breakfast service, packed lunches, and guided tour arrangement. It was so nice to have him make the arrangements. Gary booked our guided fishing trips and our trip to Wolverine Creek. All we had to do was follow the directions to the meeting location for the guided service, he arranged the rest, including the payment and packed us fantastic lunches. Normally I would book all of the excursions myself, but Gary makes it simple and gets the best deals. I would definitely advise you to have Gary book all of your tours and arrangements. If you are interested in going to Alaska and visiting the Kenai Peninsula, do not wait, just go. And call Gary when planning the trip and book all of the details through him. He is excellent and made the experience of Alaska...