Tanalian Falls

Starting from the shore of Port Alsworth on Lake Clark, this four-mile round trip eases you through corridors of paper birch before climbing into dense spruce forest with glimpses of the lake expanding behind you. The trail is well-worn but rooty in places, with a few short switchbacks that keep things interesting without ever feeling punishing. About halfway in, you'll hit a ridge with a panoramic view of Lake Clark that stops most hikers mid-stride — turquoise water backed by volcanic peaks still dusted with snow. From there, the path drops to Tanalian Falls, where the creek hurls itself over a thirty-foot ledge of dark volcanic rock into a churning pool below. The mist, the roar, the isolation — it all hits differently when you realize most people will never see this place. Perfect for hikers who want a legitimate backcountry payoff without an all-day death march.