The Savonoski Loop

a very calm Lake Grovesnor

 The Savonoski Loop is an 80-mile canoe/kayak trip that takes you through Naknek Lake to the Bay of Islands.  Once there you have a 1.5 mile portage to Lake Grovesnor.  You then paddle across Lake Grovesnor to the Grovesnor River which dumps you out on the Savonoski River, a braided, glacial river with lots of bears!  The Savonoski then dumps you back out into the Iliuk Arm of Naknek Lake where you can paddle back to Brooks Camp.  My three co-workers and I did about half the trip on our three-day weekend.  We had beautiful, calm weather - great for paddling.  We saw about 10 bears the whole trip including one that was sniffing Kara and Jenny's tent one night.  On the Savonoski River, we came upon a gravel bar that had 5 bears on it!  Exciting?  Yes, but also a bit scary.  It's very challenging having to paddle around growling bears.  The Savonoski Loop is I think my favorite thing to do at Katmai National Park.  It takes you to a beautiful part of our park that not many people get to see.  I love it!

our campsite on Spruce Island

our campsite on an island on Lake Grovesnor

serene Lake Grovesnor

lunchtime on the Grovesnor River

view from Spruce Island looking towards the Savonoski River

The Savonoski River

Sean kayaking

Sean watching sunset on Lake Grovesnor

tundra