West Side Cook Inlet Claming

[AK hiker]

With more nice weather and low tides a friend and headed down the west side of Cook Inlet to dig clams. The island in the background will be explored for fossils after getting some groceries from the tidal flats.

 

It was a weekend day so lots of people out in aircraft and boats digging clams.

The boats come across Cook Inlet from the Kenia Penninsula and stay for the full low tide cycle. 

 

 

Kobuk stayed in the plane so I did not have a messy passenger for the rest of the trip.

 

 

 

The quarry are down in the sand and show holes as they move pushing water out as they breath.

 

Clams

 

 

Once the clam bucket was filled with what we wanted to take home and clean I scooted over to Chisik Island which is park of Lake Clark National Park to look at and photograph fossils. This is an easy spot to access as the fossils are on the beach or just a short climb to see. Kobuk has his harness on which I use as his safety belt in the plane.

 

Belemnites 

 

 

 

Inoceramus are abundant

 

A few ammonites in situ

 

 

 

Fossil Point in the background across Tuxedni Bay

 

 

Beach fossils

 

 

 

I had intended to climb to see where the blocks of Inoceramus fossil were eroding out but the tide was coming back in so needed to depart while there was still beach showing. 

 

This is a park and want to remind anyone wishing to visit that no collecting of fossils is permitted without required permit from the NPS.

AK Hiker

 

[Sjfriend]

Another great report. Haven't made it over to that spot. Have been over to Chinitna Bay photographing bears thought.

 

Wonder, with a bucket full of razor claims would the rangers notice a much older clam in there lol

[Nimravis]

Great trip report, thanks for posting.

[AK hiker]

9 hours ago, Sjfriend said:

Another great report. Haven't made it over to that spot. Have been over to Chinitna Bay photographing bears thought.

 

Wonder, with a bucket full of razor claims would the rangers notice a much older clam in there lol

I’ve seen the brown bears out digging clams in Chinita Bay and Polly Creek before. They use the tide flats in the spring as it greens up getting the first new growth for food.  
 

9 hours ago, Nimravis said:

Great trip report, thanks for posting.

Thanks. I have been reading others trip reports all winter and now am able to get out again so returning the favor.