Epic Travel → North America → Alaska → Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

♦ Intrepid Top Pick!

Location: Katmai National Park and Preserve, Northern Alaskan Peninsula, Alaska

Red Tape/Notes: Review and observe all regulations for game and wildlife in Katmai National Park and Preserve – check the NPS website for current alerts and closures.

What’s Nearby? King Salmon, Becharof Lake, Geographic Harbor

The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes was created by the largest volcanic eruption in the 20th century, when the volcano Novarupta suddenly appeared on June 6th, 1912 and began erupting. It erupted violently for over 60 hours, sending ash up to 30 kilometers high, and leading to the collapse of the summit of Mt. Katmai and creation of the iconic caldera. Four years after the eruption, steam from the ash was still venting through thousands of fumaroles in the valley floor, giving rise to the name “Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.”

Considering we never actually set foot in the valley, it’s amazing that it made such a lasting impression on me. Maybe it’s because our pilot allowed me to sit in the front of the plane and lean out the window taking pictures. He was also extremely indulgent flying to and fro so I could get different angles or look at other cool things I saw. Good thing it was just our family in the plane, or the other passengers would have probably gotten fairly annoyed (our family may have been annoyed, to be honest). You can actually explore the area on foot – check out the national parks website for possible destinations here; looking at my pictures I’ve often wished that we had had more time and could have gone. The area is more awe-inspiring than beautiful, offering a stark contrast to the rest of the Alaskan countryside, and beckoning only the most daring of explorers to venture out. Someday it’ll be my turn.

Epic Travel → North America → Alaska → Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes