Moose Pass is a small cluster of cabins, a general store and a roadhouse beside a turquoise lake, and the speed limit through it is low for good reason. The village lies on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska, about forty kilometres north of Seward on the Seward Highway, and perhaps two hundred people live here. Trail Lake, in front of the village, is fed by glacial meltwater, and the water has the milky blue-green colour of ground rock, which makes the whole valley glow. Mountains still holding patches of snow rise on both sides, and spruce forest covers the lower slopes.
The place has a friendly, local character. Every June, around the summer solstice, the village holds a festival with a parade, a barbecue and a small bake sale, and the community hall hosts events through the year. The Alaska Railroad runs through, and the train from Anchorage to Seward, one of the great scenic rail journeys, passes the village. The surrounding area is rich in wildlife, with moose wandering through the village, bald eagles and, in summer, salmon running in the streams. Brown and black bears are present, so store food carefully, and keep a distance from any animal.
The Seward Highway, which links Anchorage and Seward, is a designated All-American Road and one of the most beautiful in the country. South of Moose Pass the road follows the shore of Kenai Lake and then descends to Resurrection Bay at Seward. To the north it climbs through the Chugach Mountains, passing Summit Lake and the pass, then drops toward Turnagain Arm. The surface is good, but the road is busy in summer with RVs and fishing traffic, and passing zones are limited, so take it patiently. Weather can change quickly, with rain, fog and even snow at the higher points.
Fuel and food are limited in Moose Pass itself, and the nearest larger service centres are at Seward or Cooper Landing, so top up before you arrive. The roadhouse serves hearty meals, and the bakery is popular. In summer the days stretch to nearly twenty hours of light, and the late evening glow on the lake is magical.