Alaska is a land of towering snow-capped mountains, sprawling forests, massive glaciers, and an abundance of wildlife. For hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, it’s nothing short of a paradise with endless trails to explore. Let’s unveil The Best Place To Go Hiking In Alaska and all it has to offer for the ultimate hiking adventure.
Getting There At Best Place To Go Hiking In Alaska
Anchorage
Most visitors arrive in Anchorage which serves as the main gateway to Alaska’s rugged interior region and hiking trails. As the largest city in Alaska, it offers plenty of accommodation, dining, gear shops, and other amenities to stock up before adventures into more remote wilderness areas.
The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail right along the Cook Inlet offers beautiful urban hiking and mountain views as well. For those short on time, it’s a great way to sample some of Alaska’s majestic scenery without venturing far.
Matanuska-Susitna Valley
The Matanuska-Susitna Valley north of Anchorage has endless hiking opportunities to lakes, granite peaks, and glaciers in Chugach State Park, Nancy Lake State Recreation Site, Hatcher Pass, and more.
Known as the Mat-Su Valley, it is less than a two-hour drive from Anchorage and home to Alaska’s famous Palmer Hay Flats offering stunning views of the Chugach and Talkeetna mountain ranges along many peaceful hiking trails.
WEATHER AND TRAIL CONDITIONS
Alaska’s variable weather and unique seasons dictate optimal times for hiking. Conditions also vary greatly across Alaska’s diverse regions so being prepared is key.
Summer
The months of June through early September are the best for hiking when daylight hours are long, temperatures are mild and mountain passes are snow-free allowing access to high country trails. Rain showers are common so quality waterproof layers are essential even in summer. Biting insects like mosquitoes and black flies can also be bothersome during warmer months.
Winter
The long dark winters may seem prohibitive to hiking but for well-prepared individuals, they provide rare solitude and tranquility. Crampons, snowshoes, and other specialized winter gear are necessities. December through March have short daylight hours but when the clouds part, the snow-draped mountain views are phenomenal, especially under the dazzling northern lights.
Mud Season
Spring and fall seasons bring transitional “mud seasons” with melting snow, rain showers, some road closures, and other unpredictable conditions. Trails can be wet and muddy or even still snow-covered at higher elevations. Weather varies significantly between different Alaska regions as well. Hiking is still feasible on lower elevation trails during shoulder seasons but prepare accordingly.
WILDLIFE
From bears to bald eagles, Alaska has remarkable biodiversity. Observing wildlife in Alaska’s National Parks and preserves is the chance of a lifetime but requires proper precautions.
Bears
Alaska is home to large populations of grizzly and black bears. Hikers should take necessary steps to prevent surprise encounters and maulings. Making loud noises such as clapping, singing, or talking are effective ways to alert bears. Groups should hike together. Bear spray should always be carried and kept easily accessible.
Moose
Moose may seem docile but during rutting and calving seasons, they can act aggressively, especially females with calves. Give them ample room – 25 yards minimum. Be vigilant near willow thickets and vegetation along trailsides where they often feed.
Eagles
Seeing bald eagles is common, especially along Alaska’s productive salmon-filled rivers where they feed. Views through binoculars or telephoto camera lenses are great but avoid encroaching on the enormous birds.
Dall Sheep
These iconic white mountain ungulates with curved horns pepper the high alpine cliffs and draws of Alaska’s mountain ranges. Spotting them usually requires high-elevation hikes to areas like Alaska and Denali State Parks. Their sure-footed climbing ability on seemingly impossibly steep terrain never ceases to amaze witnessing hikers.
Exploring Stunning Mendenhall Glacier Near Juneau, Alaska
Alaska’s gorgeous capital city of Juneau serves up bountiful natural beauty with towering mountains, lush rainforests, and breathtaking glacier views. Mendenhall Glacier, a river of ice flowing 12 miles from the massive Juneau Icefield, offers visitors a chance to witness the awe-inspiring, yet impermanent, majesty of living glaciers. Let’s explore this amazing destination near Alaska’s capital.
Mendenhall Glacier tours
Mendenhall Glacier sits just 13 miles outside downtown Juneau, making it very accessible for tours and sightseeing. Several operators offer exceptional glacier and whale-watching excursions by bus, helicopter, or boat.
Bus tours
Guided bus tours to Mendenhall Glacier are one of the easiest ways to visit for travelers of all ages and abilities. Knowledgeable guides narrate the entire experience while handling logistics. Popular tour operator Gray Line of Alaska offers daily bus tours alongside whale watching, glacier treks, and combo deals.
Gray Line Mendenhall Glacier Day Tour
- Roundtrip transport from Juneau hotels
- Guided visit to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
- Easy walking trails to glacier overlooks
- Stops along scenic route for photos
| Duration | 4 hours |
|---|---|
| Price | $59 adult/$30 child |
Helicopter tours
For birdseye views from the air, helicopter tours provide an unforgettable way to experience the grand scale of Mendenhall Glacier. Most tours include approximately 20 minutes of fly time with multiple landings for photo opportunities and up-close glacier exploration.
Temsco Helicopters Mendenhall Glacier Tour
- Roundtrip flights departing from Juneau heliport
- Approximately 20 minutes air time
- Landings on Nugget Falls and glacier
- Qualified glacial pilots
| Duration | 1 hour |
|---|---|
| Price | $325 per person |
Juneau icefield exploration
At over 1,500 square miles, the colossal Juneau Icefield feeds 38 major valley glaciers along with hundreds of smaller ones. Mendenhall Glacier is just one small corner of this vast frozen landscape. Guided icefield exploration trips provide more immersive glacier adventures.
Ice climbing & trekking
For the ultimate icy thrill, expert guides lead small groups on ice climbing and glacier trekking trips deep into crevasses and sky-lit ice tunnels. Alaska Powder Descents pioneered heli-skiing in Alaska and now provides heart-pounding ice adventures outside Juneau as well.
Alaska Powder Descents – Mendenhall Ice Cave Explorer
- Roundtrip helicopter transport onto glacial icefield
- Ice axe and crampon used for traversing glacial features
- Descend into incredible blue ice tunnels and caves
- Thrilling exposure atop serac ice columns
| Duration | 4-5 hours |
|---|---|
| Price | $649 per person |
Flightseeing & Landings
Flightseeing trips provide perspectives of Juneau Icefield inaccessible otherwise. Most tours include landing opportunities on the glacial ice as well. Treat yourself to a bird’s eye view of ancient glacier ice on tours from operators like Coastal Helicopters, NorthStar Trekking, and Temsco Helicopters.
Mendenhall Valley adventures
The Mendenhall Valley surrounding gorgeous Mendenhall Glacier offers amazing hiking, biking, camping, and wildlife viewing right on Juneau’s doorstep. Families or travelers on a budget will find outdoor adventure here very accessible.
Camping & Hostels
Just steps from numerous hiking trails sits the scenic Mendenhall Lake Campground operated by the Tongass National Forest. Stay right with drive-up campsites or accessible walk-in sites. Nearby is the private Bananas at Large hostel providing budget rooms and easy airport transport.
Mendenhall Lake Campground
- The forested setting along Mendenhall Lake
- 6 drive-up & 6 walk-in tent sites
- Vault toilets, drinking water, picnic area
- Nightly fee $10-15 per site
Bananas at Large Hostel
- Budget private & dorm rooms
- Shared guest kitchen & lounge
- Alaska traveler camaraderie
- Nightly rates from $30 per person
Hiking & Biking Trails
Miles of scenic hiking and biking trails allow easy, family-friendly glacier valley explorations. The West Glacier Trail and Nugget Falls Trail start right at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Or pedal along the Glacier Spur Road to spectacular views of the Face of the Glacier.
Juneau glacier hiking
Several trails allow hikers to venture out onto the glacial ice of Mendenhall Glacier for a rare opportunity to explore Alaska’s frozen rivers firsthand. Special equipment and precautions are necessary for a safe experience.
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Operated by the Tongass National Forest, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center offers interactive exhibits and panoramic views of the glacier just across Lake Mendenhall. Helpful rangers provide maps plus glacier hike guidance.
Visitor Center Highlights
- Panoramic views of Mendenhall Glacier
- Engaging glacial science exhibits
- Airport shuttle and tour bus pickups
- Backcountry camping permits
| Hours | Hours May 15 – Sep 30 |
|---|---|
| Daily | 8 am – 7:30 pm |
Guided Glacier Treks
For adventurous souls yearning to step out onto ancient blue ice, guiding companies like Above & Beyond Alaska provide 4-5 hour treks onto Mendenhall Glacier with all necessary gear of helmet, harness, and crampons. Their experienced guides share in-depth glacial knowledge while navigating frozen crevasses and sublime ice formations for small groups of up to 12 people.
Juneau outdoor excursions
Beyond glaciers, Juneau serves up outstanding whale watching, hiking, kayaking, flightseeing, and more to fill any activity wishlist. Let’s explore top excursion options to round out Juneau’s natural wonders.
Whale Watching
Juneau makes an excellent base for summer whale watching. Both humpback and orca whales frequent the rich waters of Stephens Passage, Frederick Sound, and Icy Strait where abundant food draws them near shore.
Top Operators
- Allen Marine Tours
- Harv & Marv’s Whale Watching
- Dolphin Jet Boat Tours
Flightseeing Plane & Helicopter
Flightseeing trips reveal Juneau and the magnificent icefield feeding Mendenhall and 37 other massive glaciers in ways not visible otherwise. Floatplanes and helicopters provide easy glacier access.
Top Operators
- Wings Airways
- Coastal Helicopters
- NorthStar Trekking
- Temsco Helicopters
Hiking & Kayaking
Juneau boasts over 140 hiking trails from peaceful rainforest walks to challenging mountain summit trails. Kayaking options abound too for glacier and whale sightings aplenty.
Top Hikes & Paddles
- Perseverance Trail
- Herbert Glacier Trail
- Point Bridget State Park
- Auke Bay Paddling Route
Glacier ice caves in Mendenhall
In colder months around February and March, enchanting ice caves form near the face of Mendenhall Glacier as melting water carves out the glacial ice. Local guiding outfits lead small-group tours using proper ice-climbing gear to explore these ephemeral blue cathedrals.
Mendenhall Ice Caves Trek
Above & Beyond Alaska guides lead 5-6 hour treks in winter and early spring months to access fascinating glacier ice caves full of blue hues, unique ice formations, and sculpted tunnels. Their expert guides handle all special gear needs and make exploring glacial features possible for visitors.
Trip Features
- Small group sizes – max 6 people
- Ice axe, helmet & crampon use
- Glacier hiking & ice cave exploration
- Alaska’s best guides with glacial expertise
| Duration | 5-6 hours |
|---|---|
| Price | $219 per person |
Mendenhall Glacier wildlife
Mendenhall Valley remains alive with animal activity despite supporting Alaska’s frozen rivers of ice. Visitors may catch glimpses of bears foraging, mountain goats navigating cliffs, porcupines waddling trails, or soaring bald eagles overhead.
Bears
Black bears and brown bears inhabit forests and meadows surrounding Mendenhall Glacier. Hikers should take proper precautions such as hiking in groups, making noise, and carrying bear spray when exploring the area. Prime bear viewing typically occurs July through September when abundant salmon draw hungry bruins to streams and rivers like Steep Creek.
Mountain Goats
Sure-footed mountain goats are often seen gracefully climbing the cliffs of Mount Carlson and Mount McGinnis around Mendenhall Glacier and exhibit no fear of precipitous heights. Look closely for their bright white coats contrasting dark rock faces through binoculars or spotting scopes.
Porcupines
These quilled, rodent-like creatures frequently waddle along trails and roadways within the glacier valley eating bark, leaves, and green plants. Give them plenty of space but enjoy their amusing waddling gait as they go about their business.
Bald Eagles
The beloved national symbol calls Mendenhall Valley home year round gliding gracefully overhead or perched lakeside scanning for fish. The best views come along Steep Creek watching them swoop down to snatch salmon from the icy waters during July & August.
Juneau sightseeing with glaciers
While flightseeing tours provide unmatched aerial glacier perspectives, several scenic drives just outside Juneau also serve up road-accessible ice views that shouldn’t be missed. Let’s cover top glacier sightseeing routes perfect for self-drive sightseers.
Glacier Highway
The Glacier Highway heading north from Juneau leads to several glaciers visible roadside or for short walks, making glacier sightseeing easy for families and anyone. Don’t miss access these icy giants include:
- Mendenhall Glacier (~13 miles from Juneau)
- Lemon Creek Glacier
- Nugget Creek Glacier
Taku River Viewpoint
At the Taku River Campground, a short uphill hike ends at a viewpoint directly across from Hole-In-The-Wall Glacier, where river ice breaks off into the river below. Watch and listen for thunderous calving displays.
Mendenhall Glacier ice trekking
Guided walking treks onto Mendenhall Glacier provide rare opportunities to explore Alaskan glaciers up close and personal with stunning ice caves, deep crevasses, and frozen surface lakes to discover. No prior ice experience is needed.
Blue Ice Express Walk
The 4.5-hour Blue Ice Express Walk with Above & Beyond Alaska takes small groups onto the glacial ice to experience the glacier’s surreal blue hues. Their expert glacial guides share fascinating facts while leading hikers over the frozen landscape using provided boots, crampons, and trekking poles.
| Trip Details | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4.5 hours |
| Group Size | 6 hikers max |
| Price | $139 per person |
Ice Explorer Hike
For more demanding glacial challenges, the Ice Explorer Hike involves traversing steeper terrain to reach less accessible areas. Expect to use your hands at times while rigging ropes for steep sections and glacier travel tips are included to boost skills. Previous ice hiking experience recommended.
| Trip Details | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 hours |
| Group Size | 4 hikers max |
| Price | $219 per person |
Juneau photography at the glacier
Bountiful photogenic vantage points of Mendenhall Glacier’s icy expanse exist near Juneau. From sweeping glacier panoramas to intimate ice caves, visitors will find inspiration galore along Juneau area trails and overlooks.
Photogenic Perches
The most accessible photos come from the Visitor Center with the glacier’s face and Nugget Falls in clear sight. Steep Creek’s viewing platform captures salmon and even swimming bears with the glacier looming behind. High-elevation mountain goat territory also reveals small glaciers clinging to mountainsides for unique bird’s eye filming. For an even bigger scale, flightseeing tours provide unmatched aerials.
Mystical Ice Caves
In colder months around February and March when glacier meltwater carves tunnels under the thick ice, mesmerizing light-filled ice caves appear along the glacier’s face. Local guide companies like Above & Beyond Alaska lead wintertime treks to capture surreal images where glowing blue light refracts through frozen walls in these ephemeral chambers. Photography backgrounds simply don’t get better than this!
Mendenhall Glacier kayak trips
Paddling near the glacier serves up grand-scale glacier perspectives unique to waterline adventures. Visitors can watch for calving glacier displays causing mini tidal waves. Some tours even combine glacier paddling with whale sightings for bonus wildlife thrills.
Glacier View Sea Kayaking
This 3-hour guided Mendenhall Glacier kayak tour with Alaska Boat and Kayak Shop starts with basic paddling instruction before groups kayak out calmly across Lake Mendenhall for magnificent up-close views of the icy giant. Prior kayaking experience is not necessary and all gear is provided.
| Trip Details | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Price | $99 per person |
For those seeking extended journeys, multiday camping trips explore glacial fjords and inlets farther afield with operators like:
- Alaska Discovery
- Alaska Mountain Guides
- Above & Beyond Alaska
Juneau’s natural wonders
Beyond the iconic Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska’s capital city entices outdoor lovers with boundless natural beauty and endless wildlife sightings through its vibrant trail system peppered with massive glaciers, old-growth forests, and a magnificent oceanfront.
Trail of the Glacier Spirits Scenic Trail
A delightful forest hike near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center winds past glacial rivers and ethereal waterfalls to the base of Mt. McGinnis for stunning glacier views.
Windfall Lake Trail
This peaceful, leisurely 3-mile rainforest loop encircles crystal clear Windfall Lake frequented by trumpeter swans and other waterbirds. Lush ferns, devil’s club, and skunk cabbage line sections.
Point Bridget State Park
Kayak, hike, and bike along this gorgeous shorefront park teeming with marine life like sea lions, and puffins plus panoramic glacier views across Lynn Canal.
Alaska’s compact capital city punches above its weight for bountiful natural splendor thanks to sprawling glaciers, abundant wildlife, and seemingly endless wilderness in its footsteps waiting to be explored.
Summary
As one of Alaska’s most visited glaciers, Mendenhall Glacier serves up convenient access to an icy natural wonder right on Juneau’s doorstep. Seeing its frozen facade firsthand never disappoints, but flightseeing tours, paddling excursions, and guided glacier treks uncover even more magical perspectives.
And the road-accessible ice caves lighting up in ethereal blue hues come wintertime top any seasonal bucket list. Yet it’s just one stunning facet of Juneau and its environs filled with glaciers galore, plentiful wildlife, and adventure at every turn. With so much beauty and charm, it’s easy to see why Juneau remains in the hearts of many travelers long after leaving its natural wonders behind.
Conquering Alaska’s Famed Chilkoot Trail near Skagway
Winding through towering mountains, across gushing rivers, and over the notorious Chilkoot Pass, the historic Chilkoot Trail epitomizes the spellbinding beauty and romance of Alaska’s past. This 33-mile trek traverses the exact route hopeful prospectors forged during Alaska’s fervent late 1800s Gold Rush era near Skagway through terrain that appears nearly identical today. Modern adventurers can still brave the grueling, yet hauntingly gorgeous, trail to encounter Alaska’s pioneer past firsthand.
Skagway hiking adventures
As the starting point for the famed Chilkoot, the seaside port town of Skagway serves as a gateway to exceptional hiking. Numerous trails stem right from town or along the highway toward White Pass.
Smuggler’s Cove Trail
A moderate 4-mile out-and-back hike along timbered Smuggler’s Cove to a picturesque rocky beach strewn with driftwood. Diverse birdlife is visible like bald eagles and oystercatchers.
Yakutania Point Trail
This peaceful trail meanders gradually uphill through tall spruce forest ending at an overlook with views across Taiya Inlet showcasing Alaska’s stunning natural beauty at every turn.
Denver Glacier Trail
Starting high near timberline, this path traverses heather meadows and rocky tundra to Denver Glacier’s icy face and ice-dammed lake for a true sampling of Alaska’s varied landscapes.
Chilkoot Trail history
The Klondike Gold Rush spurred approximately 100,000 eager fortune seekers to brave the treacherous 33-mile Chilkoot Trail passage starting in Skagway during 1897-1898. Their sights were set on Canada’s Yukon territory after gold discovered there triggered a frenzy.
Seeking Riches
News spread like wildfire in 1897 about abundant gold found along Yukon’s Klondike River. The chilly Chilkoot Trail provided an overland passage to Canada near Skagway. Ill-prepared for conditions, people tackled the trail enduring brutal terrain and weather struggles to reach goldfields. By 1898 a mass exodus left after gold panned out.
Gearing Up
Miners hoarded a year’s supply of gear required by the Canadian government to enter the Yukon. Around 550 lbs of food and equipment per person had to be carried in stages across the pass during multiple grueling trips. Mounties checked every ounce utilizing a giant scale in the summer of 1898.
Primitive Path
Crude artifacts scattered along the trail reveal traces of Chilkoot’s Gold Rush past. Abandoned boots, rusty sardine tins, relics of fire-scorched camps, and even gravestones indicate the agonizing passage so great a mineral fortune lured people. Yet nature healed its scars over time.
Skagway backcountry exploration
Beyond the Chilkoot’s epic traverse, numerous opportunities for backcountry adventures exist around Skagway from day hikes to paddling trips through its northernmost fjordlands.
Packraft Trips
Inflatable pack rafts offer lightweight versatility to explore rivers and fjords over multiple days. Alaska Mountain Guides leads 6-day trips launching from White Pass train tracks to float turquoise Lewes Lake surrounded by soaring glaciated peaks.
Sea Kayaking
Outfitters like Alaska Excursions operate exhilarating day excursions like the 7-hour Taiya Inlet Sea Kayaking tour to paddle quietly amid breathtaking glacier views with chances to observe bald eagles, harbor seals, and spawning salmon. Multiday camping options exist too.
Flightseeing & Helicopters
Soar over Skagway’s fjords and icefields choosing between planes or helicopters for flightseeing. Glacier pass summits like majestic Devil’s Paw appear surreal from the air. Popular operators include Temsco Helicopters, Alaska Seaplane Tours, and White Pass Scenic Flights.
Chilkoot Pass trekking
The apex moment along the Chilkoot comes while ascending the famed Golden Stairs toward Chilkoot Pass. This steep, rocky 47-degree slope gains over 1000 ft in elevation in just under a mile. Scrambling on all fours at points is necessary while views expand with each upward step.
The harsh climb taxes muscles and lungs but reaching the high snowy saddle provides sweet satisfaction. Take time too for the somber Last Tree site just below marking despair from exhaustion some gold-rushers faced.
Once over Chilkoot Pass, tundra hiking ensues overlooking icy lakes and glacier-carved mountains wild with beauty. The path descends through more lush boreal forest eventually reaching turquoise Bennett Lake, the B.C/Yukon border.
Skagway outdoor excursions
While hiking garners top billing, Skagway’s abundant beauty entices visitors to experience its terrain by paddle, sightseeing boat, scenic flight, and even dogsled for perspectives simply not visible solely by foot. Off-trail adventures reveal even more magic.
River Rafting
Family-friendly rafting trips down the glacier-fed Taiya River offer fun rapids without serious white-knuckle moments. Floating allows views of soaring canyon cliffs and rushing whitewater surrounded by stunning landscapes.
Glacier View Marine Tours
From the water looking up, Skagway’s Sawyer Glacier appears even more dramatic when viewed from a boat. Companies like White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad operate sightseeing cruises to one of Skagway’s most picturesque glaciers.
Helicopter Dog Sledding
Combine helicopter rides with an exhilarating dog sled ride out on a snowy glacier field during winter months. Alaska Helicopter Tours offers a 4-hour sled experience with helicopter access to Denver Glacier’s moon-like terrain.
Chilkoot Trail backpacking tips
Backpacking the Chilkoot Trail remains a quintessential Alaska trekking challenge. Proper precautions, packing, and planning help ensure a safe, enjoyable journey on this iconic trail.
Travel with a buddy
The unforgiving nature of the trail mandates traveling with at least one partner for safety reasons. Cell service is essentially non-existent in the backcountry.
Prepare for weather extremes
Snow is possible on Chilkoot Pass any month while raging rivers and cold rains can arrive unexpectedly too. Pack quality rain gear and extra layers.
Respect wildlife
Black bears and grizzlies inhabit the trail environs. Groups should hike loudly while bear bells and bear spray provide prudent extra protection. Give all wildlife ample room.
Skagway’s gold rush legacy
Modern Skagway still clings to the residual Gold Rush character. Exploring sites and stories from Alaska’s frenzied era provides great context before tackling the Chilkoot Trail.
Klondike Gold Rush National Park
Occupying original 1898 buildings, this free National Park complex depicts Gold Rush life through engaging tours plus exhibits like historic photos and films about Chilkoot Pass hardships.
White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
Ride the narrow gauge rails traversed heavily during the Gold Rush. Commentary details Chilkoot Trail’s struggles while passing trail access points, cascading waterfalls, and formidable mountains.
Red Onion Saloon
Skagway’s still-operating brothel from Gold Rush days contains intriguing artifacts like secret upstairs tunnels for discreet exits. Dramatic legends claim ghosts of past working girls still lurk in the halls at night.
Chilkoot Trail permits
Permits are required year-round to hike the Chilkoot Trail managed jointly by Parks Canada and the US National Park Service. Just 50 overnight camping permits get issued daily. Reservations are available up to 24 weeks in advance.
Fees & Reservations
| Permit Fees | CDN $78 per adult |
|---|---|
| Reservation Fee | $24 additional |
| Call for Availability | +1-867-667-3910 |
Leave details for rangers including number of hikers, dates, itinerary plus contact information. Confirm permits via email. Rangers collect fees at trailheads. Permits are non-transferable.
Skagway wilderness experiences
Beyond Gold Rush history, Skagway’s other great allure remains its untrammeled wilderness as a starting point for Chilkoot Trail passages and inspiring guided outdoor adventures deeper into Alaska’s exotic north.
Packrafting
Inflatable pack rafts combine backpacking with paddling skinny whitewater streams through remote glacial mountain valleys in the Yukon. Alaska Mountain Guides leads multi-day trips in the paddle-rich wilderness.
Glacier Trekking
Helicopters provide quick access high onto Juneau Icefield glaciers outside Skagway where Alaska Powder Descents guides lead small groups ice climbing into moulins, crevasses, and frozen tunnels for adventures beyond Chilkoot’s ordinary trail.
Sea Kayaking Expeditions
Sea kayaking allows self-propelled glacier fjord exploration along Alaska’s marine highway. Alaska Discovery offers 4-8 day kayaking journeys launching from Skagway to weave through island mazes beneath towering snow-capped peaks for up-close orca and humpback whale sightings.
Backpacking the Chilkat Pass
Just north of Skagway, the Chilkat Pass Trail traverses high alpine tundra with glacier-clad peaks and abundant summer wildflowers for a stunning overnight hike without Chilkoot Trail’s logistical headaches or crowds. Arrange transportation back to Skagway afterward.
Chilkoot Trail terrain features
The landscape along the Chilkoot contains diverse ecosystems as it climbs from sea level to Chilkoot Pass’s 3,500 ft then descends towards Bennett Lake in British Columbia’s boreal forest. Hikers traverse from temperate rainforest to arctic tundra.
Coastal Rainforest
Near Skagway, the trail winds through verdant rainforest lined with devil’s club, stinging nettle, and vibrant mosses cloaking rotting nurse logs. Creeks cut sharply through the landscape’s natural beauty.
Alpine Tundra
Approaching the treeline, diminutive plants like dwarf fireweed, lichens, and heathers cling to rocky outcrops. Jagged windswept peaks surround the rarefied air notable by heavy breathing.
Glacial Features
An icy landscape appears littered with glacial debris approaching Happy Camp with carved U-shaped valleys, lateral moraines, and milky blue meltwater lakes revealing powers that carved this aesthetic topography.
Skagway-guided hiking tours
Various guiding companies based in Skagway offer Chilkoot Trail trips for those desiring more support on this iconic route. These tours alleviate logistics like permit hassles, transportation meal planning, and gear worries.
Chilkoot Trail Trek
This fully outfitted 7-day adventure with Alaska Mountain Guides covers the entire Chilkoot Trail one-way starting in Skagway and ending at historic Bennett Lake. Experienced guides handle all permits, transport, and meals while groups carry just daypacks. Call for 2023 dates.
Trip Details
- 7 days (6 nights camping)
- Transportation, gear, meals included
- Natural and historical interpretation
- Max 6-person group size
| Price | $1,750 per person |
|---|
The Chilkoot Trail
St. Elias Alpine Guides offers a customizable 5-day In-and-Out hike of the Chilkoot’s middle section focusing on the Pass. Guides drive to trailheads while clients carry gear and help prepare all meals. Scheduled August 12-16, 2023.
Trip Details
- 5 days (4 nights camping)
- Roundtrip transport
- Expert guiding
- Group gear and food
| Price | $895 per person |
|---|
Skagway trailhead access points
The Chilkoot Trail runs 33 miles one-way starting from Dyea near Skagway and ending at Bennett Lake into British Columbia. Hikers can opt to trek segments accessing various trailheads via shuttle service or tour providers.
Trail Access Points
Dyea – Mile 0
Sheep Camp – Mile 4
Happy Camp – Mile 12 Bare Loon Lake – Mile 23
Dyea makes the best starting point. From Skagway, hikers can pre-arrange shuttle transport to other trailheads to hike desired sections. Bus service runs as far as White Pass Summit. Inquire locally about rides to Dyea and Bennett.
Skagway to Bennett Lake journey
The passage ultimately leads Chilkoot hikers to the turquoise shores of Bennett Lake, the goal shortcutting the 500+ grueling miles that prospectors traveled beyond to Dawson during the Klondike Gold Rush. Reaching Bennett Lake provides long-sought relief etched across exhausted, yet satisfied, trekkers’ faces.
Boat Across the Lake
Arriving at Bennett Lake once required travelers to construct basic boats to cross its lengthy 25-mile expanse. Today an easy ferry shuttle transports hikers effortlessly to the quaint settlement of Bennett where B.C.’s White Pass & Yukon Route train offers a relaxing ride back to Skagway for those skipping the full one-way trek.
Legacy Structures
In Bennett, the few original buildings left behind after stampeders deserted the town still stand representing Gold Rush remnants like the Train Station and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church built in 1899 from local spruce. Wandering their quiet grounds leaves lasting impressions of Alaska’s rugged frontier past.
Chilkoot Trail scenic views
While every twist and turn of the Chilkoot Trail essentially showcases spectacular alpine scenery, certain key points reveal iconic postcard-perfect panoramas. Hikers anxious to glimpse these scenes often press eagerly onward when spectacular mountain backdrops begin unfolding all around.
Coastal Rainforest
Glimpses down from seaside bluffs display Skagway’s harbor dotted with boats, downtown’s colorful buildings, and snowcapped ridges beyond that appear uniquely picturesque framed by lacy fireweed blooms lining the foreground.
Summit Overlooks
At the high point of Chilkoot Pass, awe-inspiring 360° vistas reveal formidable sawtooth peaks in all directions, icy blue glacier-fed lakes that glow vibrantly on sunny days, and U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers making trekking poles pause briefly to absorb majestic splendor.
Summary
Retracing the notorious trail used by over 100,000 Klondike Stampeders chasing riches during Alaska’s storied Gold Rush era, the Chilkoot Trail stretches 33 magnificent miles from coastal rainforest to high alpine terrain. While modern comforts exist unlike the desperate times of 1897, hints of pioneer pasts still appear occasionally along the trail invoking appreciation for conveniences.
Yet the spellbinding scenery stealing breaths at every vista remains identical to what dazzled gold seekers of yesterday. For able adventurers pursuing sweeping mountain grandeur and Alaska’s exotic frontier allure, few treks reveal more magic or history than the iconic Chilkoot Trail starting in lively Skagway.
Exploring Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward, Alaska
Encompassing over 669,000 acres where icy glaciers pour down from the immense Harding Icefield meeting tidal waters, Kenai Fjords National Park safeguards Seward’s breathtaking landscape flaunting Alaska’s raw natural beauty at its finest. Wildlife thrives amid diverse ecosystems spanning icy summits down through lush temperate rainforests out to the expansive Gulf of Alaska hosting rich marine biodiversity. Let’s uncover the magic of America’s crown jewel fjord land calling Seward home.
Exit Glacier
One of Kenai Fjords’ most accessible glaciers, the Exit Glacier area offers visitors chances to walk right up to an icy giant gushing off the vast Harding Icefield plateau. Interpretive trails and ranger programs make experiencing glacial features fun for everyone.
Exit Glacier Area Trails
A network of walking paths suitable for all ages and abilities stems from the Exit Glacier Nature Center allowing visitors to immerse in the natural wonders of an active Alaskan glacier showcasing the mighty forces re-shaping this sensational landscape.
Some featured hikes include:
Exit Glacier Overlook – Soak up dramatic views of the valley glacier flowing through cliffs. Return to Nature – A quiet forested walk to see 1974’s glacial edge.
Harding Icefield – Ascend through cottonwoods and alders to get eye-level with the ice plateau’s massiveness.
Ranger-Led Glacier Walks
Exit Glacier Guides lead small groups onto the glacier terrain itself using specialized footwear to explore cryogenic features firsthand for genuine up-close-and-personal glacier connections while weaving between deep crevasses and icy outflows. Availability varies. Call ahead.
Harding Icefield
The expansive 700 square mile Harding Icefield essentially fuels Kenai Fjords’ icy landscapes. As the largest icefield contained completely in the United States, the vast frozen reservoir stagnates inches yearly while fissures cause outlet glaciers like Exit to flow outward – their leading edges retreating and advancing in cycles over time.
Harding Icefield Trail
A challenging yet non-technical 8.2-mile roundtrip trail climbs over 1300 feet from Exit Glacier up to the Harding Icefield for unprecedented views across a massive sea of ice spanning to the horizon. Expect switchbacks through thick alders and cottonwoods before hitting snow patches requiring traction devices to safely navigate iron ladders to the top for breathtaking glacier panoramas. Allow 4-5 hours.
Flightseeing Tours
For a supersized spectacle of Harding Icefield from exciting aerial perspectives, adventurers can admire Alaska’s icy crown on flightseeing tours from Seward departing daily. Soar over pristine peaks and glaciers through glass bubble windows via aircraft or splashdown boats from operators like Major Marine Tours and Kenai Fjords Tours.
Resurrection Bay
Carved during past ice ages from massive glaciers grinding down the surrounding landscape over millennia, the deep waters of Resurrection Bay shelter Seward from the Gulf of Alaska’s stormy waves. Glacier-scoured cliffs and peaks frame its shores creating exceptional geology for hiking along with plentiful marine life.
Bayside Trails
Easy wildlife viewing comes via two mellow trails on Second Beach near the Seward Harbor – Gateway Trail and Waterfront Trail paralleling the seaside culminating at picturesque Lowell Point perfect for spotting puffins, oystercatchers, and sea otters at play.
Sea Kayaking
Paddling placid Resurrection Bay by sea kayak allows even novice kayakers chances for rewarding crossings to Fox Island or Sunny Cove for more stunning Kenai Fjords views capped off with picnicking and beach strolling. Guiding services like Kayak Adventures Worldwide supply gear and offer instruction for beginners before heading out.
Alaska wildlife
The diverse landscape habitats spanning from alpine to marine zones in Kenai Fjords National Park support abundant megafauna year-round providing primo wildlife watching directly from Seward. Let’s cover primary creatures calling this richly biodiverse area home.
Marine Mammals
Both Resurrection Bay and Gulf of Alaska waters nourish rich food chains supporting countless whales, sea lions, seals, sea otters, and more. Whale sightings occur year-round with summer being optimal for spotting their spectacular breaching displays during long daylight hours.
Land Mammals
Despite harsh winters, diverse mammals managed to adapt to Kenai Fjords’ terrain thanks to niche adaptations. Look for mountain goats navigating cliffs. Moose forage lakesides. Bears fish for salmon. Foxes and porcupines make rare sightings.
Sea Birds
Puffins, oystercatchers, cormorants, guillemots, bald eagles, and other seabirds frequent rocky intertidal zones and islets taking advantage of bountiful marine spoils stirred up by currents and mixing conditions. The best birding is during the summer nesting months.
Glacial landscapes
Powerful forces of moving ice helped shape Kenai Fjords National Park over thousands of years leaving trademark facets seen across this grand icy ecosystem where nearly 40 glaciers spill down alongside numerous unnamed smaller ice flows.
Ice Worm Glacier
This icy gem adjacent to impressive Bear Glacier reaches so low in elevation, that its terminal face melts out by summer exposing moraines and outwash plains scattered with rich blue meltwater pools perfect for gazing skyward catching glimpses of acrobatic mountain goats in the steep surrounding chutes above this valley glacier’s debris.
Pedersen Glacier
Tucked at the end of scenic Pedersen Lagoon, Pedersen Glacier abuts tall temperate rainforest as far as the eye can see. Moderately strenuous hiking trails trace Pedersen River near its toe affording unique opportunities to admire glacial landscapes with vibrant fall colors framing the monochromatic icy facade at summer’s end.
Coastal fjords
Carved long ago during past ice ages from massive glaciers pushing inexorably downslope gouging bedrock for eons, Kenai Fjords National Park safeguards dozens of deep U-shaped fjords flooded in after ice retreated making today’s rich marine environment possible so far inland.
Aialik Bay
This undeveloped bay remains favored by kayakers, boaters, and intrepid wildlife viewers hoping to glimpse curious seals, lunging humpbacks, and calving tidewater glaciers including prevalent Aialik Glacier stemming from the Harding Icefield spanning roughly 200 square miles of icy vastness as far as the eye can discern.
Harris Bay
Well off the beaten path, this remote offshoot of Resurrection Bay allows skilled sea kayakers chances to paddle near ethereal blue ice heaps stranded on land called seracs that calve periodically from Johns Hopkins Glacier looming regally overhead. Expect little more than your thoughts given the low human presence this deep into the Kenai Fjords backcountry so late in the season after throngs of summer visitors have all retreated.
Seward boat tours
Since treacherous terrain and frequent inclement weather prevent most visitors from venturing far inland on their own, the prime way of exploring Kenai Fords remains to book sightseeing boat tours departing daily from Seward’s harbor to witness breathtaking tidewater glaciers while searching for whales and wildlife thriving in this rich marine ecosystem.
Kenai Fjords Tours
Offering the widest selection of itineraries, this long-running outfit utilizes boats of all sizes and styles customizing trips suiting individuals to large groups anxious to explore Kenai Fjords NP away from roads and trails accessing places only possible by sea. Their Fox Island dinner cruise makes a relaxing scenic evening.
Major Marine Tours
Specializing in small group cruises, Major Marine Tours prides itself on flexibility using nimble boats venturing into narrow fjords and coves inaccessible for larger vessels taking passengers to tucked-away ice flows and remote seabird rookeries ensuring a more immersive national park experience.
National park exploration
Far lesser numbers venture inland to explore Kenai Fjords National Park away from boat-accessible tidewater glaciers and picturesque fjords along rocky coastlines, but truly epic adventure beckons from lush temperate rainforests dispersed with crystalline alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.
Canoeing & Packrafting
Lightweight pack rafts transpire as the ultimate wilderness exploration tool bridging backpacking with paddling contiguous waterways deep inside roadless terrain once traversed extensively by Alaska Natives. Modern adventurers continue similar journeys venturing along the Funny River or North Fork Snow River threading remote glacier-fed turquoise waters.
Backpacking & Camping
With proper bear-savvy precautions, multi-day backpacking treks allow intrepid spirits to wander pristine pine barrens and open alpine zones linked via rugged ridge rambles scouring for mountain goats while spying salmon surging upriver beneath screeching bald eagles and bugling bull moose. Seek solitude along Resurrection River’s northern course or bushwhack crowberry tundra slopes accessing overlooked Wolverine Glacier’s terminal moraine heaped with freshly exposed glacially-crushed rock.
Cabins & Yurts
Frontcountry road-accessible public-use cabins and yurts dotting Lost Lake make suitable stepping stones for novice backcountry visitors keen to sample Kenai’s vibrant wilderness and shadow impressive peaks like mighty Mt. Alice without straying excessively far afield. Hard-sided shelters retain heat nicely stoking fires stocked with provided firewood to ensure relaxing resets between days spent scrambling the alpine.
Alaska marine life
Nourished by cold glaciers and snowmelt streaming down steep mountain drainages enriching coastal food chains, an extraordinary diversity of well-adapted animals inhabits chilly Kenai Fjords waters from microscopic plankton to giant humpbacks thanks to ample nourishment. Meet key marine species below.
Mammals – whales, sea otters, seals, sea lions
Birds – puffins, oystercatchers, cormorants
Fish – halibut, salmon, eulachon
Invertebrates – clams, jellyfish, copepods
Abundant summer bait fish draws humpbacks up from Hawaii to gorge heartily. Curious harbor seals and playful sea otters frequent nearshore zones. Hardy intertidal algae and invertebrates cling to wave-battered rocky cliffs.
Coastal hiking trails
While most visitors visualize Kenai Fjords National Park as an exclusively marine habitat with glaciers pouring straight into ocean waters, nearly two-thirds of this park occurs on land where ample hiking trails stem right from Seward allowing nature immersion without costly boat tours.
Lost Lake Trail – 5.3 miles
Encircling a gorgeous subalpine lake below imposing Mt. Alice and regular mountain goat stomping grounds, this gentle trail offers awesome birding for arctic terns, goldeneyes, mergansers, and resident loons within earshot of lapping waves.
Exit Glacier Area – Several easy miles
Several short interpretive trails spur from Exit Glacier’s visitor center delivering visitors front row glacier gaping with brilliant aqua melt pools reflecting angular ice hunks freshly cleaved from leading edges if lucky timing.
Harding Icefield Trail – 8.2 mi RT
The steep challenging Harding Trail eventually tops out accessing the expansive ice plateau itself for dizzying aerial-like panoramas of crevasse-splintered glaciers spilling constantly down mountain flanks showing Earth’s surface actively evolving at timescales rarely witnessed firsthand.
Seward tourism
Beyond appreciating jaw-dropping landscapes and chasing megafauna roaming Kenai Fjords National Park, the quaint harbor community of roughly 2500 residents also offers a smattering of cultural attractions like regional museums, easy access to looming mountains, and local businesses to please visitors sticking around after ships all depart.
Alaska SeaLife Center
Part research institution and part interactive public aquarium displaying marine species inhabiting the northern Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, this extensively windowed complex perched dramatically above Resurrection Bay offers close encounters with puffins, sea stars, and playful otters while highlighting local research striving to support sustainable fisheries across Alaska’s fertile waters.
Mt. Marathon Race
Every 4th of July, fleet-footed runners scramble almost straight uphill tackling formidable Mt. Marathon’s steep 3722-foot flanks chased by sea-level oxygen debt where faster runners approach just 20 minutes on the way up with reckless abandon bombing back down. This grueling slog evolved into a treasured community event.
Seward Silver Salmon Derby
Anglers flock annually to Seward during late August to target feisty silver salmon surging up salmon streams at summer’s twilight. Even novices hook impressive flushers from aptly named Salmon Creek while sharing camaraderie with locals celebrating the short yet productive salmon run.
Harding Icefield Trail
Mentioned previously as the strenuous 8-mile roundtrip trek ascending over 1300 feet accessing Kenai Fjords’ namesake Harding Icefield, this demanding climb rewards the upward slog with unbelievable aerial-style panoramas from the top overlooking cracked glaciers and bare summits extending endlessly to the horizon showing the raw power of ice shaping landscapes.
Mountain Goats
Sure-footed mountain goats modeled the perfect alpine anatomy to easily amble Harding Icefield’s rocky terrain. Expect sightings of wooly white silhouettes contrasting dark cliffs aided by pack goat tenacity ascending near vertical pitches. Their loud bleats often echo through thin air before actual goats ever appear.
Glacial Pools
Along the uppermost exposed slopes or high benches before the main icefield takeover, glaciers melting out during July and August create ephemeral aqua-blue meltwater pools as if custom-designed for mountain goat wallowing and human admiration while icebergs float lazily on glassy surfaces – some over 20 feet deep! Heed warning signs and don’t enter the water due to unpredictable hazards underlying tranquil facades able to camouflage danger.
Kenai Peninsula
Kenai Fjords National Park occupies just a remote corner of Alaska’s namesake peninsula projecting from the mainland cradling Anchorage 150 miles northeast. Outdoor opportunities certainly don’t end at park boundaries on the Kenai Peninsula with road access linking numerous communities boasting remarkable mountain scenery, salmon fishing, glaciers, and more.
Seward Highway South
Venturing beyond Seward, the scenic highway threads precipitous coasts with Pullout Mountain and Tern Lake offering supreme views of Resurrection Bay. Bumping down the road, low-key port towns of Whittier or Valdez make great stops before reaching magnificent Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve – America’s largest national park area.
Sterling Highway North
Meandering north from Seward on the Sterling Highway accesses even more stunning landscapes as mountains climb ever higher crossing treeless alpine passes still trafficked heavily by flocks of Dall sheep descended from Stone Age predecessors. Don’t miss circuit hikes on Tern Lake’s bench or Primrose trails to soak up heavenly scenery.
Seward boat excursions
Since extensive fjords lined with tidewater glaciers pouring down from looming icefields limit travel inland on foot, sightseeing boat tours departing daily from Seward’s centrally located harbor provide the only reasonable way most visitors can hope to access Kenai Fjords National Park by sea. Let’s spotlight top tour providers revealing this park’s marine environments and ice-scoured mountains in style.
Major Marine Tours
Specializing in small groups on speedy vessels venturing deep into narrow fjords inaccessible to massive ships, Major Marine Tours visits remote seabird rookeries and offbeat glaciers for more adventurous itineraries catering to serious wildlife aficionados at premium price points.
Kenai Fjords Tours
As the National Park Service’s concessioner operating inside the park wilderness, Kenai Fjords Tours offers the widest diversity of vessels, destinations, and cruising options customized to match the needs of individuals or large groups through a long family-run history helping visitors fall in love with Kenai Fjords since opening in 1979.
Wildlife cruises
Considering Kenai Fjords National Park was originally designated specifically to protect marine mammals frequenting rich Gulf of Alaska waters, boat tours focused on seeking whales prove exceptionally popular departing Seward when sunlight lingers long allowing peak viewing opportunities for wildlife fanatics preferring animals over icy glaciers.
Northwestern Fjord Cruise
Sailing northward exceeding 9 hours towards Northwestern Glacier, this Kenai Fjords Tours epic outing aboard their comfortable catamaran maximizes both glacier ogling and chances to witness humpback whales lunging skyward showing tail flukes indicating feeding dives into seas teeming with krill and schooling baitfish they migrated 3000 miles to target.
Fox Island & Wildlife Quest
Catering to families and budget travelers still hoping to glimpse iconic coastal Alaskan animals, the Fox Island & Wildlife Quest cruise offered by Kenai Fjords Tours reaches more protected island waters frequented by puffins, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and possibly orcas or minke whales at a modest $109 price suitable for entire households.
Summary
Safeguarding rich and varied landscapes shaped by continental ice sheets grinding bedrock for eons scouring signature fjords still filled today by post-glacial marine waters nourishing bountiful wildlife, Kenai Fjords National Park contains all of Alaska’s iconic natural highlights accessible easily from Seward between looming glaciated mountains and productive seas – the perfect base to experience the best of Alaska’s raw scenic.
Exploring Untouched Chichagof Island from Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Lying just offshore from Alaska’s lush temperate rainforest at bustling Icy Strait Point access, largely undeveloped Chichagof Island offers adventurous spirits over 2,300 square miles of roadless coastal wilderness teeming with timber wolves, brown bears, Sitka blacktail deer and salmon – prime attraction for visitors anxious to encounter pure undiluted nature up-close.
Let’s explore this untrammeled landscape considered the second largest island of Alaska’s famed Alexander Archipelago after neighboring Admiralty Island to the north.
Alaska Inside Passage
Ferries sailing the protected Inside Passage route navigating between Vancouver Island, B.C. and southcentral Alaska make regular water stops at Icy Strait Point giving passengers a few hours to explore Hoonah Tlingit culture or access a remote slice of Chichagof Island through seasonal bear viewing trips departing right from the modern cruise ship dock.
Ferry Transit
The Alaska Marine Highway System manages a fleet of ferries transiting weekly in summer months on run between Bellingham, WA or Prince Rupert, B.C. up to Juneau, Sitka, Haines, or other Southeast communities including drops at Icy Strait Point outside Hoonah village when making flag stops to pick up waiting for passengers when dock space allows.
Cruise Excursions
Most visitors reach Icy Strait Point via cruise ships on 7-day itineraries between Vancouver and Seward. Excursions range from easy walking trips to Alaska Native village cultural tours through more active paddling, hiking, and wildlife viewing day trips heading out towards sheltered bays along Chichagof coasts on high-speed catamarans for access into raw wilderness settings.
Southeast Alaska
Sprawling across the Alaska Panhandleeterretching 500 miles top to bottom, the Southeast Alaska region consists almost entirely of ocean-drowned peaks only the highest mountain ridgelines still visible above surf now comprising over 1,100 forested offshore islands dotting inland waterways creating the Alexander Archipelago punctuated by glacier-carved fjords like monumental Glacier Bay plus regional hub cities of Juneau and Sitka surrounded by abundant natural beauty.
Protected Passages
Myriad channels and straits separating endless stretches of rugged mountainous islands calm otherwise tempestuous northern Pacific breakers making marine transit exceptionally smooth through upon mile of protected bays, coves, and passages linked together into important arteries still relied upon today by vessels of all sizes transiting from Washington and British Columbia northbound eventually reaching ports like Anchorage near Cook Inlet.
Temperate Rainforest
Thanks to heavy precipitation measured in feet annually across the maritime climate, Southeast Alaska’s rolling insular terrain supports towering old-growth temperate rainforest with enormous crumbling nurse logs slowly decomposing amidst vibrant emerald canopies dripping with thick beards of leafy moss overhead and luxurious green skirts below concealing slippery rocks often keeping soggy trails quite muddy under passing boots.
Hoonah
The small native community of Hoonah lies protected on Chichagof Island’s eastern coast occupied for millennia by the indigenous Tlingít people who developed a self-sufficient seasonal lifestyle thriving in this fertile marine landscape harvesting salmon, shellfish, seals, and much more. Around 750 residents still call Hoonah home today supported largely by fishing industry jobs.
Tlingit Heritage
Original native settlers of Hoonah belong to the Tlingit group who similar to other Pacific Northwest first nations built complex societies focused around key salmon runs and clan family group structures without agriculture domesticating only dogs as beasts of burden while living in large timber plank houses adorned with symbolic clan crests on towering totem poles signifying their vibrant cultural identity still celebrated through traditional dance and customs.
Glacier Bay Excursions
As the nearest village to immense Glacier Bay National Park with over a dozen tidewater glaciers visible from marine tours lucky to witness huge frozen chunks calving thunderously from actively advancing glacial snouts, Hoonah functions as the premier gateway taking visitors into sealed icy realms aboard small expedition vessels departing daily when seasonal access opens certain protected marine zones to human passage between safeguarding sensitive critical feeding habitats for migratory whales and seabirds during warmer months.
Wildlife viewing
Vast swaths of Alaska’s coastal wilderness both on X’traTu and neighboring mainland sites remain completely devoid of any human development creating an exquisite intact habitat prime for diverse wildlife flourishing undisturbed with bears, wolves plusSitka blacktail deer roaming forests and shores with lucky visitors catching sightings simply through patient quiet observation using binoculars or telephoto camera lenses to safely admire wild creatures in their untrammeled elements.
Brown Bears
Massive brown bears patrol beaches under Chichagof’s rugged flanks prowling tidal zones for delicious tidal treats like lingering salmon carcasses washed ashore at high tide alluring the opportunistic omnivores to temporarily shift away from usual berry-grazing forays inland when spawning fish grow scarce as summer wanes into fall pre-hibernation times mandating intensive calorie consumption critical for surviving months-long denning after scavenging the last scraps just before first snowfall.
Whales
Migratory humpback and killer whales arrive in Southeast Alaskan waters following millions of bait fish and krill while opportunistic feeding on immense shoals of lipid-rich herring and sand lance amassing tightly in shallower bays creating rewarding buffets enticing whales from Hawaii and Mexico towards northern latitudes in hot pursuit of calorie-dense meals easily gulped using specially adapted throat pleats straining nourishing mouthfuls from swirling seas to fuel the long journey as these marine giants gorge heavily between playful surface displays during summer months before disappearing southward to tropical breeding grounds once provisions grow scarce with cooling temperatures soon reducing food supplies and daylight hours.
Sitka Blacktail Deer
Endemic only to Southeast Alaska’s island groups, dainty Sitka blacktail deer adapted perfectly to damp temperate rainforests lining shorelines foraging succulent understory vegetation throughout the archipelago’s endless convoluted coastlines created after rising seas flooded a previously contiguous ice age landmass just 10,000 years ago leaving only the tallest mountain ridgelines still exposed as islands thereby isolating deer groups to individual islands allowing differing genetic adaptations to arise creating recognizable subspecies like Prince of Wales Island blacktails being the largest while outermost island residents stay diminutive in stature yet all share the trademark black-tipped tail and innate swimming abilities allowing successful migrations between land masses across strong tidal rips.
Bear watching
Grizzly and coastal brown bears thrive reaching incredible densities scavenging salmon in remote parts of Chichagof Island away from any human settlements in pristine habitat considered among Alaska’s premier bear viewing sites where visitors can safely admire wild bruins in their untouched elements through reputable guide services conducting daytrips by boat from Icy Strait Point during peak viewing months.
Prime Viewing Season
Late August into September remains the best period for bear watching when spawning salmon runs peak as bears converge along streams and intertidal zones entering aggressive hyperphagic states even risking daring raids into swift currents snatching final fish struggling upstream to mating grounds urgently needing to pack on weight before winter’s arrival stops food supplies forcing the giants into conservative dormancy.
Reputable Guiding
Responsible guiding services like Alaska Discovery Tours who pioneered bear viewing sites across Chichagof’s coasts establish dedicated campsites overlooking known bear highways and salmon streams to minimize contact keeping bears habituated only to vessels briefly offloading photography groups safely admiring wild bruin behavior through long camera lenses under watchful eyes of bear guards always standing ready to deter any curious bears wandering too near to tents or tripods with loud cracker shells frightening the animals away quickly keeping respectful distance between enormous wild carnivores and hapless human visitors.
Native culture
While the small community of Hoonah mainly identifies as Tlingit sharing cultural commonalities with other Southeast clan tribes, evidence suggests settlers occupying villages around Icy Strait and Port Frederick for upwards likely over 10,000 years based on archaeological digs unearthing deeply buried artifacts but tracing precise cultural lineages grows complex with potlatches and trading driving periodic resettlements yet traditional lifestyles still Pouring today as demonstrated through exuberant dancing telling clan origin stories when welcoming visitors interested in experiencing living indigenous traditions still celebrating intricate relations with lands and waters providing reliable sustenance for generations.
Storytelling
Through passionate dance recitals accompanied by drumming and song using familiar Protocol based on long-remembered myths and histories, members reenact the Hoonah Tlingit origin story depicting Raven coaxing the first man out of a clamshell before assisting him to acquire essential skills allowing people to prosper harvesting nature’s seasonal provisions through the careful stewardship passed down generations through oral knowledge transfer – the foundation enabling ongoing endurance despite outside cultural pressures introduced by colonial economic ambitions exploiting once-plentiful fur seal populations that early conservation practices had sustained allowing numbers to rebound after strict protections came into effect.
Carving
Totemic symbols recounting family crests adorning tall house posts and shorter shaman staffs which serve as authority figures directing important business matters in traditional gathering halls remain integral towards visually displaying a tribe member’s inherited lineage, identity, and relations to the natural and supernatural realms as master carvers patiently transfer symbolic meaning into red and yellow cedar logs harvested respectfully from clan managed forests bestowing each artistic piece powerful protective attributes with the completion over months-long carving sessions marked by ceremonial drumming, dancing, and storytelling binding the community together.
Outdoor adventures
Largely roadless and devoid of major human infrastructure across Chichagof’s expansive wilderness beyond Hoonah’s outskirts, true adventure awaits rugged explorers yearning to discover intact glacial fjords ripe for paddling, skiing, or patient wildlife observation accessed through multi-day expeditionary travel relying on bush pilots, guided outfitters, and charted vessels reaching secret bays inaccessible quickly without modern transportation – the same formidable isolation slowing early native migration yet preserved such awesome beauty wilder than elsewhere across the Alexander Archipelago.
Sea Kayaking
Plying the waterways weaving around Chichagof allows modern adventurers to trace ancient travel corridors linking native settlements across the archipelago before roads or airports with self-propelled voyaging opening hidden glacial passages experienced similarly by original peoples but without pressing harvest pressures allowing time now for slow wandering while whales breach nearby and eagles circle fishing vessels hauling aboard wild Alaskan salmon as kayakers pause waveside to camp on gravel beaches under the glow of late summer’s midnight sun.
Sport Fishing
Lush estuaries nourished by eons of marine nutrients pouring down short fast-flowing streams team with territorial Dolly Varden, chum, and pink salmon sought by both professional fishermen and backcountry enthusiasts who equally appreciate sustainable harvests during seasonal windows that neither exploit limited runs nor disrupt critical spawning habitat allowing reasonable catches feeding families and occasionally visitors lucky enough to hook trophy sized specimens rivaling most anglers’ dreams if blessed by fortune and proper ethics releasing future brood stock unharmed.
Rainforest exploration
Spreading lush temperate rainforests smother Chichagof’s rolling mountain foothills and valleys with cathedral groves of colossal spruce and hemlock interspersed with impressive yellow and red cedar lining the myriad salmon streams threading these woods that contain the highest density brown bear populations in North America attracted by lingering fish carcasses washing ashore which visitors can search for through guided wildlife viewing excursions venturing inland or sea kayaking outer fjords accessing this roadless island safely under experienced leadership before returning to vessels moored in sheltered waters.
Forest Floor
Dense vegetation sprouts from decaying fallen nurse logs and fungal mats on the forest floor cushioning every footstep where low bush blueberries, bunchberries, ferns, and mosses coat every surface concealing abundant lurking banana slugs, American pikas and little brown bats tucked into erratic piles as the chilled air carries damp earthy richness hinting at the boundless life contained just below the canopy level perfect for meandering naturalist hikes or casual berry picking excursions returning to welcoming wilderness lodges to bake sweet desserts from wild harvests.
Salmon Streams
Glacially silted rivers wind through valleys oxygenating clear pools with myriad aquatic bugs sustaining young salmon fry hatching in chilled headwaters until growing large enough to swim downstream towards awaiting predators like otters, minks, and mergansers all hoping to snatch a quick meal but the fastest fingerlings reaching estuaries move quickly into marine habitats for several years of feeding and growing before heroic return swims battling up thunderous rapids drives spawners towards waiting bears and eagles completing nature’s timeless cycle.
Glacier Bay
Although technically not shoreline along Chichagof Island itself, wilderness kayaking, backpacking and expeditionary travel opportunities through proximal Glacier Bay National Park draw increasing visitor numbers every season wishing to explore glacial fjords and observe calving tidewater glaciers less than 60 miles distant from Icy Strait Point accessed through tour operators or charter vessels making the popular day crossing taking passengers past Point Adolphus’s thundering ice blocks towards iconic Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers origins of the park proposal first put forth in the 1920s prior conservation efforts successfully spearheaded by single-minded visionaries aiming to shelter a little piece of Alaska’s awe-inspiring natural heritage when much of the nation remained blissfully unaware of just how precious those frozen realms truly still yet remain today.
Whale watching
Thanks to an abundant supply of krill and small forage fishes like sand lance and herring swarming Southeast Alaska’s productive marine waters, pods of migrating humpback whales arrive annually from Hawaii and Mexico to feast on dense bait balls amassing tightly in protected bays while killer whales patrol higher trophic zones opportunistically targeting juvenile humpbacks or vulnerable gray whale young attempting the long northbound journey from breeding lagoons along Mexico’s Baja coastline towards feeding grounds in frigid, yet nourishing, Arctic oceans come springtime.
Identification
Flashes of tail flukes or prominent dorsal fins sprouting tall water plumes signal whale presence even before fully breaching which helps observers begin identifying distinguishing features useful for researchers photo-cataloging unique individuals based on scar patterns, color variations, and tail notch shapes allowing census estimates determining wider population distributions, migration routes and monitoring overall species reproductive health very important for formerly over-hunted great whales now recovering well under complete protections guided
by enhanced genetic diversity from interoceanic breeding, exchanges maintained between distant global populations communicating through haunting underwater song cycles still containing undeciphered language hinting at advanced cetacean capacities for teaching pods essential migration knowledge and other survival wisdom orally just as human elders once related tribes critical generational teachings bonding families before modern technological disruptions increasingly fractured today’s tenuous links leaving many people feeling isolated searching for renewed connections they hope to rediscover somewhere in nature’s mysterious cycles.
Peak Viewing Season
The best Pacific whale watching happens during extended daylight hours of summer months between late May and early September when warmer currents stimulate massive plankton and bait fish blooms that allow safe calving and rearing of young while providing plenty of provisions enabling feeding frenzies near island-studded fjords concentrating prey schools close enough for lunging whales to ensnare huge mouthfuls using specially pleated throats for filtering nourishing meals needed for migrating back towards balmy tropics once the long Alaskan summer wanes as chillier temperatures by October reduce essential food supplies signaling time to start long southbound journeys towards sheltered lagoons.
Coastal wilderness
With few improved roads or amenities across Chichagof’s largely trackless expanse, hearty adventurers rely exclusively on access through the coastal wilderness by chartered expedition boats or helicopters reaching hidden bays normally completely devoid of human activity in such awesome intact habitat where wildlife roams freely going about daily patterns undisturbed by machinery noise or permanent encampments allowing lucky quiet observers chances to glimpse bears, wolves, and deer up close acting naturally when left on their wild terms.
Sea Lion Haulouts
Rafts of dozens of Steller and California sea lions occupying remote islets and skerries chatter noisily from slippery rocky perches until alerted by a passing vessel when enormous males begin barking aggressively and shuffling cumbersome bodies towards shorelines for awkward yet determined sliding entries into the sea resulting in loud splashes giving way to sleek powerful streaks slicing through swirling currents and eddies effortlessly within moments vanishing quickly from sight leaving only traces of lingering fishy pungency hanging in still air.
Intertidal Zones
Twice daily, the inexorable tides cause entirely different worlds to emerge with low-tide mudflats exposing usually unseen communities filled with singular organisms like giant gumboot chitons, aggregating anemones, and purple urchins plus lurking rockfish and prowling shorebirds all seeking sustenance revealed briefly during hours when rip currents and surf relax before being drowned again until the next incremental ebb.
Adventure cruises
Blending essential comforts like hot showers, injustice cabins, and quality dining with opportunities to disembark exploring otherwise inaccessible coastal wilderness environments by kayak, small boats or boot occasionally still requires relying on serviced expedition vessels designed specifically for operating in remote polar regions like Southeast Alaska where changeable conditions, unknown channels and ample wildlife call for specialized auxiliary crafts, equipment and experienced captains crewing ships equipped to handle passenger safety in OUTSIDE waters after disembarking during excursion across the Alexander Archipelago.
Small Ship Cruises
Several niche adventure cruise companies catering to active travelers carve out entirely new sightseeing itineraries focused less on towns and harbors and instead navigating intricate Inside Passage byways far removed from conventional cruise ship lanes where daily expedition landings scout deserted beaches searching for bears and wolves or strolling calmly through seaside native villages meeting local people genuinely welcoming cultural exchanges with sensitive visitors showing enough awareness avoiding intrusive behaviors demonstrating respect towards indigenous residents maintaining active subsistence lifestyles still thriving today.
Kayaking Tours
Specialized kayaking tours allow paddlers privileged opportunities to explore nearshore environments including sea caves and kelp beds alive with urchins, anemones, and prowling wolf eels or otters then retreating at day’s end back onto comfortable yachts anchored in protected coves where hearty meals restore energies between eventful days navigating lush coastlines and watching whales sometimes feeding very nearby when currents amass baitfish schools close enough for lunging humpbacks to engulf bountiful mouthfuls.
Tlingit heritage
Occupying Southeast Alaska likely for over 10,000 years, the Tlingit people developed highly complex exchange-based societies where clan moieties regulated seasonal resource harvests, labor divisions, and property rights balanced across tribal houses headed by chiefs representing individual family crests displayed on carved house posts and ceremonial objects reflecting their sophisticated artistic expressions still maintained through elaborate customs where hosts demonstrated wealth and prestige by distributing food, gifts and honors binding communities together.
Carved Poles
Tall totem poles fronting community houses display inherited family crests signifying the lineage, history, and prestige of associated clans comprising the tribal house structure which serves as more than simply shelter but represents a sacred bond between tribespeople and the land itself – with animals even considered tribe members as evidenced by ancient stories still celebrated during events where masked dancers emulate creatures like bears, ravens and killer whales reaffirming enduring kinship with plants and animals embedded deeply across Tlingit heritage and identity passed proudly from elders to the youngest generations through oral tradition and living culture.
Tribal House
Gathering halls serve critical roles even today organizing potlatches for hosting memorials remembering passed elders, arranging marriages between clans, or settling disputes through ceremonies and consensus-building processes headed by chiefs representing each house but reinforced by communal wisdom from the entire group honoring the intrinsically cooperative and egalitarian foundations underpinning Tlingit societies for ages relying on mutual interdependence harvesting and sharing seasonal wild provisions amassed using specialized expertise like skilled seal hunters providing resources to build boats made by master canoe builders requiring combined community efforts even constructing the massive tribal houses adzed and painted by respected artisans directed by lead carvers guided by the complex unity still beating strongly at the heart of traditions still thriving since ancient times.
Nature trails
Several short hiking paths weave through intact temperate rainforest just behind Hoonah’s harbor or along Icy Strait’s coastline offering visitors a glimpse into the abundant wilderness available on Chichagof Island through guided day excursions venturing further out towards the Cross Island Canoe Route accessing stunning glacier views after paddling icy passageways used for generations by Tlingit people traveling between seasonal fish camps proving steady food vital sustaining fragile native communities and brigades of fur traders alike before settlers continued similar subsistence lifeways recognizing the profound serenity gifted by Alaska’s wildest places.
Coastal Loop
This 3-mile forest walk circles through stands filled with impressive yellow and red cedar before reaching a rocky outcrop overlooking Icy Strait with chances to scan for humpbacks and orcas patrolling nearshore waters in search of migrating salmon or other prey species moving through the nutrient-rich currents swirling this biologically productive channel bisecting Chichagof and ancestral Tlingit homelands urging visitors to reflect upon this still vital waterway enabling trade and survival for centuries before outsiders arrived.
Rainforest Traverse
Skirting the border between Hoonah and undeveloped wilderness, this picturesque trail ambles near salmon-filled creeks under a tall canopy draped by leafy mosses and lichens passing massive spruce nurse logs until reaching an overlook platform framed by Devil’s Club spikes where often hidden wildlife suddenly might appear like darting squirrels and cautious deer, though any larger creatures require deeper forest hikes eventually accessing vaster terrain.
Fishing excursions
Thanks to an abundance of spawning salmon flooding into Southeast Alaska’s fjords and intertidal rivers annually, Icy Strait waters drawing seasonal runs migrating towards Canada’s Yukon proved a reliable food source enabling Tlingit tribes and early settlers to thrive amidst this fertile yet harsh landscape seemingly bountiful, yet always wild, sustaining communities who learned sustainable practices focused only harvesting surplus stocks allowing continual renewal without diminishing future returns for either people or dependent wildlife who ultimately share these provisions cycling nutrients and energy in nature’s profound circulation binding all lifecycles here together.
Salmon Run Charters
From protected bays behind Chichagof to rushing rapids draining massive icefields, privileged anglers can cast lines for feisty salmon practically anywhere reasonably accessible by boat or rugged backcountry treks during peak season from June through September seeking all 5 North American species – chinooks, silvers, pinks, chum and sockeye – each running the gauntlet of hooks and nets vying to return up natal streams continuing undying cycles their ancestors completed for eons since glacial times.
Subsistence Fishing
While sport fishermen enjoy the seasonal fight wrangling a thrashing salmon onboard before releasing most unharmed, native people continue aligning generations-old fish camps relying on preserved harvests supplying provisions sustaining families over long winters through age-old smoking and salting methods passed down ancestral lines respecting limits allowing reasonable catches without disturbing future cycles on streams supporting the communal larder for millennia before outsiders arrived ignorant of natural wisdom still guiding sustainable takings.
Summary
Lying just across Icy Strait from sheltered Hoonah village whose Tlingit residents migrated seasonally for ages harvesting salmon, seals, and treasured cedar, undeveloped Chichagof Island remains a coastal wilderness sanctuary to prolific wildlife flourishing undisturbed by roads or human infrastructure with bears, wolves and deer still roaming shorelines little changed across eons making this trackless island a premier destination for low-impact visitors wishing to quietly glimpse Alaska’s
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My name is David James I am an adventurous hiker based in California. Through this weblog, I percentage my passion for exploring nature’s wonders, documenting breathtaking trails and hidden gemstones.