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Ride a 20‑minute water taxi across Resurrection Bay, then hike through temperate rainforest to Battery 293 at Fort McGilvray. This six‑hour guided outing blends visible WWII history with marine wildlife, ghost forests from the 1964 earthquake, and big bay views.
Ride a 20‑minute water taxi across Resurrection Bay, then hike through temperate rainforest to Battery 293 at Fort McGilvray. This six‑hour guided outing blends visible WWII history with marine wildlife, ghost forests from the 1964 earthquake, and big bay views.
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Operated by Miller's Landing · Seward, Alaska
On a clear afternoon in Resurrection Bay, the Guided Caines Head Bunker Hike launches from Miller’s Landing at 13890 Beach Drive in Seward, Alaska. This six‑hour outing combines a 20‑minute water taxi across the bay with a rugged hike up to Fort McGilvray and Battery 293, a concrete World War II emplacement tucked high above the inlet. The route threads temperate rainforest, coastal bogs, and windswept beaches, with constant marine views and a chance to see whales during the boat ride.
From the north beach you’ll follow a well‑worn trail through spruce and hemlock, passing bogs dotted with cranberries and thimbleberries in summer. Along the coastline you can spot ghost forests left by the 1964 Good Friday earthquake, bright salmon moving upstream in season, and bald eagles using the headlands as hunting perches. The centerpiece is Battery 293: massive concrete walls, gun emplacements, and a bunker cut into the slope that deliver broad sightlines over Resurrection Bay and the approaches ships once used.
The trip is run by a small, family‑owned operation based in Seward since 1982. Guides bring decades of local knowledge, layering natural history, WWII context, and practical trailcraft into the day. Groups are intentionally small for a personal experience; no hiking experience is required, but the climb and uneven trail demand steady footing and moderate fitness. The trip includes the water taxi both directions, a guided hike to Battery 293 or South Beach, and snacks on the trail.
Practical details matter here: check in 15–30 minutes before the 2:00 PM departure; the water taxi waits for no one. Expect to be back at Miller’s Landing between 7:30 and 8:00 PM depending on conditions. Bring synthetic or wool layers, rain gear, sturdy hiking shoes, a refillable water bottle, and sun protection. The operator lists age and weight limits—minimum age 8, maximum recommended age 70, and a 254‑pound weight limit for safety—so plan accordingly.
Expect a mix of steep switchbacks and boardwalk across muskeg; some sections are wet or muddy after rain, so gaiters help. Guides will lead you into bunkers and gun positions, point out period concrete anchors and rebar, and explain how Fort McGilvray fit into coastal defense strategy. In late summer the trail offers berry picking and close views of salmon streams; in spring the understorey bursts with fresh growth and migratory birds regularly.
This hike rewards travelers who want history folded into landscape travel: abandoned coastal defenses, earthquake‑scoured shorelines, and active marine life in a single afternoon. For visitors staying in Seward, the Caines Head Bunker Hike is a compact but complete slice of Alaska—part natural theater, part tangible history, and wholly anchored in local expertise that makes the bay and its defenses come alive.
Check in at Miller’s Landing, 13890 Beach Drive, Seward, AK; arrive 15–30 minutes before the 2:00 PM departure.
No prior experience is required—the hike is guided, but participants should have moderate fitness and stable balance.
Yes: minimum age is 8, recommended maximum age is 70, and there is a 254‑pound (115 kg) weight limit for safety.
Common sightings include bald eagles, harbor seals, salmon during run season, and occasional whales on the water taxi leg.
The trip includes snacks; bring a refillable water bottle and any personal snacks or dietary items you need.
Tours run in typical coastal weather but can be modified or canceled for safety; operators monitor conditions and will notify guests ahead of time.
Miller's Landing operates an oceanfront lodging and activity base at Lowell Point near Seward, Alaska. The property offers a range of accommodations including cozy log cabins, 24' yurts, tent and dry RV campsites, and a private inn suite with beach access. Lodgings range from two-guest lookout cabins to family cabins that sleep up to five; several units feature woodstoves, porches or decks, provided linens in summer, and pet-friendly options. The site includes practical guest amenities such as bath, shower, laundry facilities, free Wi‑Fi, a fish cleaning station, and picnic and fire-ring areas near the beach. Outdoor and marine experiences anchor Miller's Landing's offerings. Stabicraft boat rentals provide unguided access to local fisheries with safety training and essential fishing gear. A multi-species fishing charter targets halibut, salmon, ling cod and rockfish aboard a brand-new catamaran with daily departures at 6 AM; the charter includes free coffee, parking, and a private station for catch photos. Guests can combine lodging with self-guided boating, guided charters, or shoreline recreation. Facilities emphasize simple, rustic comfort and responsible use of the natural setting. Miller's Landing serves anglers, families, couples and winter adventurers seeking an authentic Alaska experience within walking distance of beach access and regional attractions. Yurt accommodations include three queen beds, a wood stove, and a deck with a coal BBQ for seasonal cooking. Several cabins boast bay views from porch and easy beach access. Units like Willow and Humpback emphasize pet-friendly, tidy, smoke-free stays with simple rules to maintain the property for future guests.
Book with Miller's Landing