The Sterling Highway begins 90 miles south of Anchorage, branching off the Seward Highway at Tern Lake and heads south to Homer, Alaska. This route winds along the western edge of the Kenai Peninsula through majestic mountain scenery and passes picturesque lakes and glacial streams for 142 miles. Pictured here is just a glimpse of this splendid land, a view from the overlook at Cooper Landing. The river begins here at Lake Kenai in the Kenai Range, and flows southward. Considering the size of Alaska, when it's heard that the Kenai River is the most popular sport fishing destination in the state, that's really saying something! The rainbow trout and Dolly Varden here are talked about in trophy size terms. Anglers come from all over the world to experience two yearly runs of salmon and naturally attempt to land their own world record king salmon.
   The Kenai Peninsula has been home to the Kenaitze Indians for hundreds of years, but discoveries of the area's rich natural resources have attracted non-native developers. The highway was built in the late 1940s, part of Alaska's Route 1, and has since added spurs for oil exploration. Despite the industrial aspects the corridor, for the most part, the highway remains a wild and beautiful drive.

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