Owners, john and joan skannes are lifelong, yearround residents of beautiful sitka bythesea. The forest service has installed new docks and picnic pads at the lake. The ascent is steep about 2,000 feet in less than 2 miles and spent mainly on wooden stairs. Activities resource guide fishermans quay, sitka, alaska. When you live in the largest and most undeveloped state in the nation, its kind of a given that you would have the most awesome outdoor playground in the world. Best bird watching trails near sitka, alaska alltrails. One of sitkas most beautiful features that visitors to sitka rarely have the opportunity to enjoy, is the array of gorgeous and varied hiking trails. Beaver lakeherring cove trail loop sitka trail works. We started from indian river road off the main road sawmill creek road at the eastern end. Tips for a selfguided sitka walking tour when you cruise. Sitka walking routes the best walking routes in sitka, alaska.
Although all of the trails are doable as a day hike it was. The trail is something to do with a family that is active and some nice viewable waterfalls as you go hiking into the camps. The totem trail is lined with 18 of the parks collection of totem poles. For great exercise, plenty of fresh air and several rv campgrounds to choose from, head to sitka, alaska. Beaver lake has been stocked periodically with grayling between 1986 and 1991. Complete hiking information for sitka, alaska with maps, photos, trail descriptions, guides and outfitters, and more. Sail makes trekking poles available for hikers to use. Pathways americas great hiking trails is a hardcover mac daddy of hiking books, loaded with 336 pages of drop dead gorgeous photographs and a glimpse into eleven of the countrys most iconic hiking trails.
Explore the best trails in sitka, alaska on traillink. We walked into town most days but the added bonus of the car took us to 3 different hiking trails and beyond. We my husband and i are planning to spend a week in july in sitka and as always, anywhere in alaska, outdoor activities are priority for us. This trail is one of the most accessible trails from downtown ketchikan, like where my sister lived at the end of married mans trail at the time. Sitka outdoor recreation guide 190 kb pdf file a map of the trails and recreation facilities accessible from the sitka road system. Hike past oldgrowth sitka spruce to the end of dramatic cape falcon in oswald west state park where you can soak up stunning ocean views. The series of weekend hikes are led by various members of. Cross trail has several entry points sitka high school, kramer avenue, baranof street and off indian river trail.
From stunning mountain views, lush forests, glorious glaciers, abundant wildlife, booming waterfalls and so much more. We use advanced design, technology and fabrics to create gear systems that enhance the experience of the hunter. Damage due to wear and tear will be repaired at a reasonable cost. Aug 01, 2006 hiking alaska provides firsthand descriptions and detailed maps for 100 of the states finest trails. But this trail does offer a profound sense of solitude and some spectacular views. Hemlock house beautiful home with the best location in. Alaska hiking best guided hiking trips, lodges and guides. The only section with a trail is from medvejie to camp lake at 1,600. Ill be making gps tracks to include on the site, and getting myself a little freshened up on overall trail conditions.
A comforting aspect of hiking alaska is the truly comprehensive, practical nature of information. Sitka walking routes the best walking routes in sitka. Booking an organized shore excursion is not always necessary. As part of the american hiking societys 22nd annual national trails day on saturday, june 7, sitka trail works and the u.
View all hotels near old harbor books on tripadvisor. Sitka ecosystem grants fund proposed projects that improve the state and function of an ecosystem. Walk sitka promoting healthy and safe walkability in sitka, alaska. One of the nicest walks in town is right outside the door at the sitka national historical park visitor center. Owners, john and joan skannes are lifelong, yearround residents of beautiful sitkabythesea. The plan also includes a proposed dive trail, improved kayak facilities, 2 atv trails and. Aug 14, 2017 a comforting aspect of hiking alaska is the truly comprehensive, practical nature of information. The route begins at medvejie hatchery, accessible by boat or by hiking from herring cove on the 3. Although all of the trails are doable as a day hike it was possible to string together the harbor mountain, gavan hill, sitka cross, indian river. Hiking in the alaska wildernesswith its sometimes loose definition of trails, and the everpresent possibility of bear encounterscan intimidate a lot of travelers.
Veteran hiker dean littlepage recommends his favorite routesfrom short nature walks to backcountry treks through alaskas spectacular landscape. Sitka national historical park the totem trail and the russian memorial loop 1. The sitka trail plan calls for 16 new hiking trail construction projects 62. Dont miss out on great savings across all categories. Although all of the trails are doable as a day hike it was possible to string together the harbor mountain, gavan hill. The trail is about 10 miles west of sitka and is only accessible by boat, so youll have to charter a boat and be comfortable with wilderness hiking. Although the ship offered plenty of active tours in sitka, alan and i looked for an enjoyable walk that included alaskan history, nature and wildlife. Warmth and comfort for when nature gives you its worst. Americas great hiking trails is perfect for anyone interested in outdoor recreation and conservation. As we really only have one fortymile road that stretches along the edge of revillagigedo island, all the trails on our road system are usually just minutes away. Forest service sitka ranger district are hosting a work party to help spruce up the herring cove trail this event will be led by sarah bell of sitka trail works and usfs trails specialist laurent deviche. Youll find rv campgrounds managed by the city, the state and the national u.
The route is popular among resident sitkans, but also attracts visiting backpackers. Sep 05, 2019 sitka for a week long stay at the end of august. Hemlock house beautiful home with the best location in town. Occasional guided hikes, maps, volunteer trail maintenance, and special events are offered throughout the summer. Matt, glad to see you are adding some updates to the site. Hiking, dining, wildlife watching in sitka sitka forum. Read on to find out bbonlines recommendation on the top trails in sitka.
Old harbor books with the back door coffee shopdelicious home baked goodies and lunchbehind it is well stocked with books for all interests and ages, but also has an excellent selection of alaskana, from a. Equipmentwise, it depends a bit on what you are comfortable with for back country hiking, but neither of the hikes needs to involve any technical ropeclimbing work. Tips for a selfguided sitka walking tour when you cruise to. The trail is something to do with a family that is active and some nice viewable waterfalls as you go hiking. I have hiking books but would like to learn from those who visited sitka about favorite trails that we. The lost hiking journal of phillip dumas 4 chapters updated mar 11, 2020 11. The gavan hill trail offers a moderate to strenuous. Apr 30, 2019 sitka trail works will kick off its 2019 summer series of weekend hikes on saturday, may 4, with a moderate to strenuous bike ride of up to 10 miles along the cross trail. Complete mountain biking information for sitka, alaska with maps, photos, trail descriptions, biking guides and outfitters, and more. Hike sitka mountain trail and explore sitka travel guide. We had everything we needed to make it extremely comfortable. The hiking trail is scenic, starts just a few blocks off 2nd skagway and was recommended to us by the visitor center personnel.
Things that you should remember when you are taking a hike in sitka. Find the top rated hiking trails in alaska, whether youre looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, youll find what youre looking for. From baranof street follow the cross trail connector 0. The scenic sail into sitka sound inspired us to put our feet on the ground to soak in a bit of nature. Book offisland hikes below tickets cover transport and stw support. Sitka s hiking trails while brenda visited family in minnesota i took the fast ferry fairweather only 4.
A 10minute walk from downtown, sitka brings you to the fringe of true wilderness, with access to numerous marked hiking trails. Youll also find some great local park options, like sealion cove state marine park or halibut point state recreational site. The 10 best alaska hiking trails with photos tripadvisor. From start to finish, the trail spans approximately 16 miles 26 km long, and. From over 30,000 submissions, the winners have been decided.
Since baranof warm springs has no permanent transportation options inbound or outbound, backpackers must either turn around and hike back to sitka, or arrange float plane or boat transportation. The baranof crossisland trail is an informal route across baranof island, alaska from the community of sitka to baranof warm springs. Considerable offtrail hiking, plus a steep climb to a ridge top, might be outside your comfort zone. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Apr 23, 2020 15 incredible hikes under 5 miles everyone in alaska should take. Harbor mountain trail sitka 2020 all you need to know before. This hiking tour operator, based in anchorage, loves to take both firsttime hikers and veteran explorers into the best scenery of chugach state parka colorful crosssection. As soon as you step foot on the trails here, you are walking into a dense rainforest canopy of sitka spruce. Sitkas hiking trails while brenda visited family in minnesota i took the fast ferry fairweather only 4.
Where the trail gets to the base of the first rocky peak, there is a fork. Normally, the group picks the trail on the day of the hike, but occasionally a trail is picked before the event. Sitka trail works will kick off its 2018 summer series of weekend hikes on saturday, may 5, with a moderate to strenuous bike ride of up to 10 miles along the cross trail. By beaver lake there are great vistas of nearby rugged mountains. That will be followed on sunday, may, by a short hike on the ben. Our family we now have 3 adult children, have spent many years enjoying the beautiful outdoors on numerous hiking trails, boating expeditions, fishing and camping trips, and doing all the wonderful activities sitka and southeast alaska has to offer. Herring cove trail sitka 2020 all you need to know before. Hiking alaska provides firsthand descriptions and detailed maps for 100 of the states finest trails. Edgecumbe trail if youre here on a sunny day, you know this peakits the dominant, gentle volcano that fills the view to. From here you can go to the first little peak for excellent views of sitka and the sound, or you can follow the main trail around this peak and along the ridge back towards the main peaks of harbor mountain.
The upper gavan hill trail has multiple staircases, switchbacks, and log steps with a steep climb. Venture through a lush rainforest at ecola state park where some of the worlds tallest trees tower over your head. If youre cruising to alaska, follow my tips for a diy sitka walking tour when your alaska cruise starts in vancouver or seattle, you might grow weary of organized cruise excursions by the time you reach sitka. The best sitka hiking trails with photos tripadvisor.
If you are not satisfied with your gear at the time you receive them, please send them back. Such a cute, wonderfully redone, wonderfully decorated home away from home. The park features two loop trails connected by a footbridge spanning the indian river, for a total of 1. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Ive never lived so close to such amazing backcountry hiking. It also includes the novelty of hiking a milelong sheep trail that traverses the back of the wedge, some 500 feet above the secluded waters of ship lake. In the coming months, i intend to traverse all the trails along the sitka road system at least and hopefully at least some of the ones near by that are off the road system. Visit old harbor books on lincoln st, andor the kettleson library. Lovely walk over muskegs, along marshes and through stunted forests. Old harbor books sitka 2020 all you need to know before. Enjoy sitka mountain and the surrounding vista points by embarking on a hike. Deer mountain, ketchikans idyllic backdrop, holds a special place in my heart in that it was the first trail i ever hiked when i first came to visit my sister in ketchikan in the late 90s. With more than 0 sitka trails covering 0 miles, youre bound to find a perfect trail like the na or na. Presented below are tour companies that offer guided hiking trips and adventures in and near sitka.