Kellie Okonek - Earthtones

Journeys

Power the Earthtones movement, one extraordinary journey at a time

Stories

Hike Turnagain ArmLocated between Anchorage and Girdwood, the Turnagain arm is flanked by huge mountains on both sides and offers some amazing hiking potential. One of my favorites is Rainbow Peak. At about 5 hrs round trip, the hike offers plenty of challenge and a sweet peak to bag as you top out for amazing views and photo opportunities! The best part is that you have the amazing views for almost all of the hike, so the way down is full of visual rewards! And, what's better than being in the high alpine and staring at all the surrounding hiking options?!?! Rewards all around :)read more

Katmai bear viewing - Brooks FallsHaving lived in Alaska for 15 years, I can't believe it took me this long to go see the brown bears of Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. Accessed only by float/sea plane, this incredible experience is well worth the cost and time invested! The walk from the lake to the falls is well-constructed trail and boardwalk, and it's super common to encounter bears along the way! There are two viewing platforms at the falls - one at the main falls and one just downstream - there were a solid 30 bears fishing in front of us! Heck, watching the salmon swim upstream and jump the falls is interesting on its own - add bears to the mix and it's just plain fascinating! Truly an experience not to miss! There are plenty of ways to extend a trip as well - either by staying the night in the campground or lodge, and/or by adding an excursion into nearby Ten Thousand Smokes for a day or overnight trip.d description hereread more

Halibut fishing Cook Inlet, AKA day on the water is always a unique way to experience a place, and bonus when spent fishing is that you can fill your freezer as well! A day trip from the beach of the Kenai Peninsula will see the boat launched by tractor (erosive Cook Inlet means a launch ramp doesn't make sense!) as you head out for about an hour into one of the most powerful and important bodies of water in the state. Surrounded by volcanoes, you'll fish for halibut and silver salmon if in season, meaning you'll have a tasty souvenir from your day on the water!read more

1 Reviews

Kellie designed a personalized Alaska itinerary that made this trip one of my favorite vacations ever! She created a trip that included all the sports I wanted to do and places I wanted to experience. I was particularly impressed by her encyclopedic knowledge of Alaska and how she suggested some amazing activities (ice climbing on a glacier--awesome and highly recommended!) or locations (like a day trip to Whittier thru the massive underground car tunnel that goes there as well as a visit to the Girdwood Forest Fair) that I would not have realized even existed had I been planning the trip by myself. If you’re going to Alaska, I’d definitely recommend talking to Kellie to make your trip the best it can be! (Also, be sure to eat at Jack Sprat restaurant if you’re in Girdwood...)read more