This is a small, 80-acre state recreation site location out East End Road near McNeil Canyon. The park offers several different summer trails (and winter ski/snowshoe trails, as well), with no trail longer than 1.25 miles. During the summer there are a variety of wildflowers in the meadows and along the trails. Not to be missed.
More than 45 bird species have been spotted in the park. In the spring and summer, the best time to bird is during the morning hours. Key breeding species include: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Alder Flycatcher, and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Remember this is bear and moose country. Be Aware.
Directions:
From East End Road in Homer drive approximately 13.5 miles to Alpine Meadows Road. There will be a state park sign just before the road. Turn left onto Alpine Meadows and drive approximately ½ mile to the park. There is a small parking lot on the left-hand side of the road.
Bird List:
- Bald Eagle
- Merlin
- Sharp-shinned Hawk
- Northern Goshawk
- Northern Hawk Owl
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Sandhill Crane
- Spruce Grouse
- Willow Ptarmigan
- Wilson’s Snipe
- Lesser Yellowleg
- Gray Jay
- Black-billed Magpie
- Common Raven
- Steller’s Jay
- Northern Shrike
- Alder Flycatcher
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Boreal Chickadee
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Golden-crowned Kinglet
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hermit Thrush
- Swainson’s Thrush
- Gray-cheeked Thrush
- American Robin
- Varied Thrush
- Wilson’s Warbler
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Yellow Warbler
- Orange-crowned Warbler
- Townsends Warbler (R)
- Blackpoll Warbler (R)
- Golden-crowned Sparrow
- Fox Sparrow
- Savannah Sparrow
- Lincoln’s Sparrow (UC)
- Lapland Longspur
- Pine Grosbeak
- White-winged Crossbill
- Red Crossbill
- Pine Siskin
- Common Redpoll
Please note that many of these species are uncommon to rare. Check the latest ebird for the most recent sightings: http://ebird.org/content/ak/
