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herzog63 Says: Puffin Island was used as part of the US Defense during WW II. There are many remnants of that era still on the island. These pilings aren't of much use anymore but at one time they were part of a dock that was used for mooring military boats. During the war Puffin Island...
herzog63 Says: Stellar Sea Lions are a pretty cool animal as they are the largest of all "Eared" Seals. Males can grow to over 2000 Lbs while females max out at just under 600 Lbs. They get their name (Lion) from the Big Males as when they are older they grow a think neck hair similar to a...
herzog63 Says: From this hidden bunker the US military would scan the waters of Kodiak looking for Japanese submarines trying to sneak into the harbor. Now the Japanese tourists or anyone can enjoy the views of the bay from this spot.
Light at the end of the tunnel
herzog63 Says: Once you enter the tunnel you can walk for about 25 feet and you can see the light from the other side. I'm sure during rainy periods there will be lot's of water here but it was quite dry when we visited.
Helpfulness
The only real way to get to Puffin Island is by small boat or skiff. There is a great gravel landing beach that is nice and steep so it's perfect for using a skiff. Rubber boots would be useful so you don't get your feet wet getting in and out of the skiff. Although Evan just wore regular street shoes and he didn't get them wet.....I did the water work.
Written Sep 15, 2003
herzog63 Says: If you look across Womans Bay onto Kodiak Island you can see the destruction that the local construction companies are doing in the name of progress! The are getting the rock from the hillsides in order to build more roads....Does'nt look very pretty!!
Kind of a gross picture but funny Sea Lion photo
herzog63 Says: One of the first things that I noticed about the sleeping Sea Lions was that they had huge amounts of snot running from their noses! The ones that were in a deep sleep did anyways! Sorry about this tip but I had to include it as it was so common to see.
Watch for holes up on top of the island
herzog63 Says: When you're walking long you will have to realize that this island was part of a military base and when then left they didn't take care of all the dangers!! There are many air vents and old foundations hidden in the thick vegetation!! I broke through some old boards while...
herzog63 Says: Here in Kodiak there are rules and laws on the water! Personal floatation devices must be provided. No operating boats while drunk! No shooting animals out of season. No taken an overlimit of fish. Driving reckless isn't allowed either. So if you don't want to end up in the...
herzog63 Says: LOL...We didn't bring one as I didn't have any idea what we would find on the island. I didn't know we would find underground bunkers to explore. I took this photo in total darkness using the flash of my camera so we could see where we were standing!! We were about 3 feet...
Evan and Searchlight Bunker #11
herzog63 Says: This is a bunker that housed a searchlight. It is a little tough to get down to this one as you have to climb down the crumbling cliff but it's not too bad. To the left of the photo are 2 huge steel doors that are rusting now. You can see the concrete apron has seen better...
herzog63 Says: The spot I'm standing on is a little difficult to find. You will have to get to the edge of the eastern side of the island then climb down the cliff. You will come to a bunker that is built into the cliff. It is in pretty rough shape now but at one time appears as though it...
herzog63 Says: Once we found our way through the darkness we found another door into yet another room. I'm sure at one time the military had meetings and made plans in these rooms. Walking through these rooms in total darkness was a bit eery as I only new what the rooms looked like after I...
herzog63 Says: You can get a good idea of the rock structure of Puffin Island and Kodiak by looking at the ridges in the stone along the cliffs and beaches. From talking to a geologist in the area this is formed from the pressure of the earth pushing up from the sea bed.
herzog63 Says: As we hiked around the island we came across this toilet that was sticking out through overgrowth. There must've been a building here at one time as there are a few old boards still laying around but the plumbing is all that still exists today! The pipes are still...
View of Kodiak from the Island
herzog63 Says: As you stand on top of the flat topped island you can get some nice views of Kodiak with Pillar Mountain in the background. Also you can see the huge rockslide that fell down in the 1964 earthquake.
herzog63 Says: This old electrical box had seen better days. I liked the way that it had it's wires cut and was just left to rust away...I'm sure when the military decided that they didn't need this Island anymore they just picked up stuff that wasn't attached and moved it on out! This...
herzog63 Says: On the way to Puffin Island you will pass several rocky outcroppings that are home to many sea birds. You can see Cormorants, shearwaters,Murre's, Sea Gulls and sometimes Puffins!! LOL We spotted everything except the Puffins!! Puffin Island is a bird nesting area protected...
The Fireweed is tough to walk through!
herzog63 Says: As you can see Evan hiking across the top of the island through the fireweed which has already lot's it's beautiful colors as we were here in September. But if you could see this during late July and August you would be amazed by the colors of the fireweed blossoms!! But...
herzog63 Says: Here you can see what we could see as our eyes adjusted to coming back out into the light after spending that time in total blackness except for my camera flash!! LOL
My Buddy Evan and I had been discussing a visit to Puffin Island for about a year or so but our schedules never matched up. Finally, last week he called me while I was at work and asked if I was...
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