 Caine’s
Head is the scenic site of an abandoned World War II
fort. The massive headland rises 650 feet above Resurrection Bay,
against a backdrop of rolling alpine meadows and sharp peaks, giving
way to a sweeping view of the Gulf of Alaska and the outer islands.
The shale covered, forest framed beaches of Caine's Head have long
been stopping points for boaters and fishermen. But early in World
War II, as the territory of Alaska was attacked and occupied by
Imperial Japanese ground forces, Caine's Head and other Resurrection
Bay vantages became strategic spots for defending the Port of
Seward.
Visitors are invited to explore the remains of Fort
McGilvary, the South Beach Garrison and the many natural attractions
of this 6,000 acre state recreational area.
 If
your schedule does not allow
time to hike the 5 mile coastal trail to Caine’s Head, or the low tides
are not accommodating you on the days you want to hike, the Miller’s
Landing Water Taxi can take you to
the North Beach of Caine’s Head. From there, you can hike to Fort
McGilvary and also to the South Beach of Caine’s Head for a most
enjoyable hike.
At North Beach there are 2 picnic
shelters, campsites, and latrines near the main trail at the North
Beach. A ranger station, staffed seasonally, is located near the north
end of the beach. The Derby Cove Public Use Cabin is near the beach at
Derby Cove, which is the next beach north of the ranger station and
campsites.
 The
trail to
Fort McGilvray
and South Beach starts here. It is 2 1/2 miles to both places from North
Beach, and is the same trail for the first mile and a half, then it
splits so it is another mile from that point to either the fort or South
Beach.
From the North Beach to the fort is 2½ miles or 5 miles round trip.
From North Beach, historic roadbeds
lead to Fort McGilvray and South Beach. To reach the fort and sweeping
vistas of the bay, take the left fork, one mile south of the North Beach
Trailhead. Along the way, explore the remains of the old ammunitions
magazines and the bog meadows with their unique forms of plant life. The
right fork leads 1.5 miles to South Beach.
Fort McGilvray, once the
strategic command center, is perched on a 650 foot rocky cliff that
offers dramatic views of Resurrection Bay. Here are the firing
platforms of the two six-inch guns that once sat ready to defend the
Port of Seward. The fort is open to explore, but take a flashlight
to find your way through the maze of underground passages and rooms.
The cliffs around the fort are dangerous. Stay on the concrete pads
and trails.
From the North Beach to the South Beach is also 2½ or 5 miles round trip. To do both is a 7 mile round trip.
To get dropped off by taxi and
hike from Tonsina to the Fort and South Beach and get picked up
again at North beach is the same number of miles as hiking from
Lowell Point to North Beach and back, but the first hike only does
the best part of the hikes.
South Beach is a garrison ghost
town with remains of the utility buildings and barracks that were
home for the 500 soldiers stationed here from July 1941 to May 1943.
These structures are not safe. Do not walk on or disturb them.
To get to Caine’s Head, you can
either hike the 5 mile coastal hike there (see
hiking Caine’s Head
section) or you can take the Miller’s Landing water taxi. |
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