Backpacking Lost Lake Alaska

Adventure Review

Lost Lake Trail

From:  Kenai Lake (Primrose trail), Alaska

To: Seward, Alaska (Lost Lake trail)

Length: 17 miles

Date: July 2013

 

Primrose trailhead

As an Alaska resident it seems fairly frequent that you hear someone mention the Lost Lake trail and how beautiful it is.  Many people saying it is one of the most scenic trails in Alaska.  In July 2013 I had the opportunity to experience this trail first hand.

Preparing for this trip was fairly easy.  We were spending only one night hiking from the south end of Kenai Lake up the Primrose trail to Lost Lake then to Seward spending the night at Lost Lake.  Hiking 17 miles in two days is not a problem for most people.  Even though there is a considerable elevation gain it seems gradual with only a few short steep areas.

The trail is maintained very well being well defined and includes well-built drainages to prevent trail erosion.

About two miles north of Lost Lake

Things to keep in mind:

You can do this hike one-way form Kenai Lake to Seward without shuttling a car.  There are quite a few taxi companies in Seward that will pick you up at the end of the trail (either side) and take you back to your car.  This should cost $30 to $40, plus tip.  Other options are to hike form either trailhead, to the lake, and back.  Or, bring two cars and shuttle.

Camping, near the lake, is in established backpacker campgrounds only.  There seems to be about a dozen campgrounds near or at the lake.  There are “bear proof” cabinets to store food at most of the campgrounds so no need for bear proof barrels or bear bags of you stay in an established campground.

Campsite on small lake located on outlet of Lost Lake

At the time of our trip there was a fire ban and no fires were allowed.  All cooking had to be done with a stove.  We did not see any established fire rings to have fires at any of the campgrounds.

Mountain bikers share this trail.  Don’t be surprised to see bikes quickly come up behind you or around corners.

Runners frequently use this trail many completing a one-way trip in four hours or less.  There is an organized race for trail runners in August of each year.

A camera is a must.

Early morning fog

The Good

• Scenery
• Forest, alpine, scenery
• Food lockers to keep bears away
• More scenery
• Photo opportunities a plenty
• Well maintained trail
• Bonus waterfall on Primrose trail
• Awesome views of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Lake (did I say scenery?)

The So-So

• Fairly busy trail
• Campsites at Lost Lake can fill quickly
• Ridge hiking may be windy
• Fog
• Trail covered in snow in early season

Links

• Running race link - Lost Lake Run
• AK State Info

Contour HD Video Camera

Product Review

This is not a lengthy review – This review contains highlights from my experience with the Contour HD camera.  Feel free to leave comments with your experience.

I enjoy editing video and making movies as a hobby since I was very young.  In the early 70’s I taped a 8mm movie camera (not Super 8) to the top bar of my bike for a POV shot of going off a jump in a local church parking lot.  When I landed, the tape broke and the camera fell off my bike and tumbled to the ground to be slowed before impact by the last length of tape, inches above the asphalt.  It was all recorded on film.  That was 40 years ago.  The recent invention of the new smaller “helmet cams” makes action videos is much more practical.

About three years ago (Spring 2010) I started hearing about, and seeing video from new small high definition (HD) video cameras. I imagined making some amazing HD video shots if I could get my hands on one of these small, rugged, lightweight, mount anywhere, video cameras.  At that time, two main brands were becoming popular GoPro and Contour.  In May of 2010 I purchased a Contour HD and in this review I will tell you why.

As of this posting, the Contour HD camera is still available for purchase even though newer models, with updated features, have been introduced over the last few years.  Why did I choose a Contour HD camera over the GoPro?  I chose the Contour over the GoPro for a few different reasons – the main reason being the shape of the camera.  The 2010 model GoPro was big and boxy (the newer versions are slightly smaller).  The Contour HD was smaller and was more streamlined.  Both cameras had plenty of mounting options and these options have even increased further over the last few years.  The Contour HD had an optional Picatinny rail mount.  At the time I could not find one for the GoPro.  Picatinny mounts are commonly found on firearms (used for lights, lasers, grips, etc.) but Picatinny rails can be mounted firmly on almost any solid object making it a good universal mounting system.  Buy a rail for a few dollars, screw or bolt it on to something, then slide the camera with the Picatinny mount onto the rail.  It is a solid strong mount.  The Contour camera also had an option of a rubber strap mount that can be wrapped around poles, sticks, or anything tubular 1 to 8 inches in diameter opening up even more possibilities for mounting.  These are the two main reasons why I went with the Contour HD.

The Contour HD is capable of both 720 and 1080 high definition.  Most small cameras available prior to the Contour HD were standard definition and fairly affordable ($270.00 USD) at the time.  With my Contour HD camera I have mounted it to dogsleds, motorcycle forks, rifle, pistol, wagon wheels, helmets,

The Good

• HD video
• Plenty of mounting options
• Streamlined shape
• Battery and video can last for many hours of continuous shooting (4 hours at 720p with 16GB memory card).
• Laser lens alignment
• Water resistant – waterproof case available. Camera can be mounted at almost any angle (on its view axis) and compensated by rotating the lens in the camera.  Two lasers help to make sure lens is aligned with horizon.

The So-So

• No viewfinder – has lasers for alignment.
• No video monitor.  Need to connect to computer to preview any video footage.

The Not-Good

• No on camera adjustments for sound levels or exposure. You can adjust exposure and audio recording levels while connected to a computer, using Contour’s software (comes with camera).
• Uses MicroSD memory cards.  Small, but not as common.
• No plug for external microphone.
• Rolling shutter “jelly” effect when camera is experience heavy vibration (e.g. biking rough trail or mounted on motorcycle frame).

Links

Contour web site

YouTube review

Tundra Bob