After months of house projects and settling in to our new home in Anchorage we decided we needed a Seward weekend trip (we booked our escape a couple nights before, and did not plan ahead but it worked out perfectly). Granite Point Mountain Lodge is a place we won’t forget.
Seward is one of my favorite Alaskan towns because of the scenery, fishing, boating and wildlife. It’s just one of those places in Alaska you can’t stop going back to. If you love hiking do Mt. Marathon, if you like trail running try out Lost Lake, if you want some amazing fresh seafood most restaurants in Seward’s charming little downtown has something delicious to offer.
Seward Weekend Trip: The Fox Den at Granite Point Mountain Lodge
The lodge provided accommodation suggestions for transport across the water to the cabin which made things easy. We took off from the Seward Harbor on Thursday afternoon (late May) in a 26-foot aluminum landing craft. Within that short 15-mile boat ride we got to see three humpback whales! Perfect way to start the trip.
We got dropped off on a small rocky beach where you could see a couple cabins up on the mountainside. This view looked straight out of a fairytale. Luscious greenery, moss covered trees, small stream running down to the beach, ocean waves crashing up on shore and birds chirping. I still can’t get over that it’s even possible to build cabins on the cliffs. Each one of them is unreal and so well done.
We met one of the owners who rode over on a jet ski. Um how cool? She was extremely hospitable and friendly. We were thankful for her advice and suggestions to explore further up the mountain. The owners do a great job with keeping everything clean and accessible.
We rented the Fox Den Cabin which is an 85 stair climb for an incredible view. We knew this going into the trip so tried to pack lighter (however our cooler is never light). Our smaller wood cabin was perfect. It had two cozy chairs, 2 bunk beds, a desk and a small kitchen with everything we needed. We made biscuits in the oven and eggs on the stove for breakfasts, had sandwiches for lunch and used the charcoal grill for steaks and veggie foil packets. The cabin also had a French press for coffee. P.S don’t leave your breakfast unattended; the blue jays aren’t shy.
First Day at Granite Point Mountain Lodge
The first day of our Seward weekend trip, we took out a double person kayak and explored around a few points, the water was beautiful and the sun was shining. We got to see a few sea lions up close and personal. The lodge had plenty of kayaks, life vests and skirts to choose from.
Second Day
The second day we hiked up to the Wolf Ridge Cabin which was a bit of a climb. The owners did an amazing job with clearing the trail and built a rope system to hold on to (some of the hike is a three-point contact climb). I would highly recommend it for active people, not sure my 60-year-old parents could do it easily or small children FYI. This cabin had a nice campfire site, deck to relax on and view of the water as well. It’s nice being a little more secluded.
We continued hiking past that cabin and found multiple piles of bear poop. We also found a little pond and stream and I’d say that hike got our heartrates up a bit. Much needed activity.
Later that day we spent most of the time relaxing hanging out on the deck reading and started a fire. Watching the boats go by and using the scope to find more whales and sea life was awesome. Took the kayaks out again and had a whale breach less than 100 yards away!
We spent the last evening tying fishing flies on the deck and grilling out. Drank too much wine, soaked up the sun and cherished every moment without the constant busyness of life.
Saturday morning, we cleaned up our cabin, made a solid breakfast and spent most of the morning beachcombing and taking in the view. The boat ride back did not disappoint with more whale watching, porpoises and sea lions.
We will definitely be back and plan on renting multiple cabins with friends and family.
Seward Weekend Trip Highlights:
- Complete peace and solitude with little cell reception
- Great accommodations, wonderful hosts and of course an unforgettable view
- Humpback whale and sea lion sightings next to our kayak
- Beachcombing finding sea glass and other sea treasures
- Beautiful hike up the mountain, very accessible
- Blue jays, hummingbirds and eagles daily, up close and personal
Things you should consider taking to the remote cabin:
- We brought a cooler bag but they also provide a cooler. So… ice and food.
- They provided dish soap, hand sanitizer, pots and pans, so just cookware you think you’d need.
- Rain gear (they also have some pants and kayak skirts with their kayaking gear to borrow but I’d definitely wear a few layers just in case with at least light rain gear).
- I wore my xtratufs and crocs, and needed knee high boots to get off the boat.
- Water or purifier, if you don’t want to drink the water from the stream.
- Toothbrush, biodegradable body wipes, toiletries (the outhouses have TP)
- Coffee or tea
- Book
- Camera
- Spotting scope or binoculars
- S’mores supplies
- Fishing equipment
