Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Alaska, United States

5Swadeshi1 5:00 PM Dec 11, 2011

Nature, volcanoes, waterfalls, bears: simply spectacular!
The Valley of 10,000 smokes is located at the Katmai National Park and Preserve in King Salmon, Alaska. This area has been preserved because of its uniqueness. It was the places for the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. The only way to access this area is by coordinating a trip with Katmai Air and Brooks Lodge. You will have a NPS Park Ranger with you but the transportation must be arranged with them, that is the only way to get there since it is 23 miles away from Brooks Camp. It is not recommended at all for people with disabilities due facilities limitations, unless you want to just to do the trip for the view at the cabin. The trip has 3 stops with a 10 mins talk on each stop by the Park Ranger. The total travel time to the Valley is about 2.5 hours each way. At the arrival to the Three Forks Cabin you will have 30 mins for lunch. Then the Ranger will lead the hike to the Yukah falls which is about 1.5 miles downhill. Keep in mind you might get wet or get very hot depending on the weather conditions. The weather at the Valley is extreme. Once the hike starts there are not bathrooms, so keep that in mind! Bring a camel pack, a big bottle of water fruits or trail mix! People interesting in staying for a couple of days must have backpacking experience. Novarupta the eruption site is about 20 miles from the Cabin. Fill out the travel plan at the Brooks Camp! On the way back you will feel very tired, but the hike and the views are amazing. Once in a lifetime experience. The trip starts 7am, and group will be back around 4:00pm! Conclusion: Highly recommended!!!

5Alaskarookie 5:00 PM Aug 4, 2011

Tour to 10,000 is worth the effort
When planning our trip to Katmai last year our tour planner asked whether we wanted to add the visit to "The Valley of 10,000 Smokes" There wasn't much literature about the attraction however the information we found did make it sound interesting. You get on vans by the lower bridge at Brook's Lodge and travel about 30-45 minutes stopping occasionally to look at great scenery and wildlife. The actual visit to the overlook of Novarupta is amazing. The landscape looks like you are visiting another planet. Very barren and covered with ash. There is a hike to the falls included that is not a great distance but it is strenuous because of the change in elevation. It is worth the walk but give yourself plenty of time for the walk back up to the top. This is a side tour that I would highly recommend.