The hike to Ukak Falls follows a well-traveled trail down a vegetated slope, to the edge of the barren plain and to the rim a sheer-walled canyon. The Ukak River flows within, cutting nearly 100 feet into the volcanic debris and churning violently with ash-laden whitewater. The “falls” are not one distinct waterfall, but a series of rapids that tumble through this precipitous gorge. You can walk along social trails near the canyon rim, but use caution because the edge is unprotected and unstable in places.

The river is but one highlight of this hike, and everywhere you look there’s something else to steal your attention. On the steep walk down to the river, for example, you’ll wander through alder trees and fields of flowering lupine. These plants are slowly reclaiming the devastated valley, but you can see that progress is slow. The huge expanse of ash and pumice still dominates the valley, which you can clearly see by looking across it. You’ll also see various river canyons gouging through it, streaming from the glaciated peaks that surround.

Sources: https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/rangerguided.htm https://katmailand.com/katmai-national-park/valley-of-ten-thousand-smokes/