Southeast Alaska
Shaped by the
staggering force of massive glaciers millions of
years ago, Alaska’s Inside Passage boasts
wildlife-filled fjords and lush island scenery
— habitat for bald eagles, sea lions,
porpoises and whales. Its mountains are carpeted
with majestic forests. The Tongass National forest
is home to Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Indians
whose history is reflected in towering totem
poles.
Southeast Alaska is defined by water. The thousand-mile-long stretch of the Inside Passage provides the most accessible routes through this region's rugged mountains and forested fjords. Tlingit and Haida people still inhabit quaint bayside villages overlooked by the totem poles of their ancestors. Fair weather is a rarity here, and you can expect to be rained on frequently. Early explorer Addison Powell remarked that "a prospector who visits these mountains should bring a photograph of the sun with him, as well as a diving suit." Because of the difficulty involved in getting around, southeast Alaska is better suited to sea-kayaking than it is to hiking. Waterborne travelers can gain access to myriad trails on the islands and mainland that afford good day-hiking opportunities. Check first at the local US Forest Service offce for current trail conditions.
Berry Picking:
Southeast Alaska is a great place for berry picking. With nearly 50 types of berries in Alaska, most of which are edible, it is no wonder that the fruit has been a mainstay of the Alaska Native diet for centuries. Berry picking brings out Alaskans in droves to their favorite spots. In Alaska there are plenty of berries to go around and you can pick all you want.
See Berry Picking
Misty Fjords:
Magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument is a
pristine masterpiece. It's fjords were created by
massive glascier action in the ice-rimmed
wilderness. Here is one of the country's greatest
treasures and some of Alaska's most spectactular
scenery. It's 2.3 million acres include soaring
cliffs, saw-tooth ridges shrouded in mists,
sky-blue lakes, hanging valleys, countless
waterfalls, bottomless saltwater fjords, and
miles of glaciers. The monument is also home to a
multitude of wildlife.
The Temperate
Rainforest:
You may be surprised to learn that Alaska is home
to a very rare ecosystem: the temperate
rainforest. The Alaskan rainforest contains some
22.5 million acres of ancient growth, including
1000-year-old trees, and a diverse mixture of
wildlife. It is the largest temperate rainforest
in the world. Located in the Tongass and Chugach
National Parks, this temperate rainforest
captures both the wild nature of the primeval
forest and a true sense of the value of our
planet. Both forests have become featured
locations of Alaskan tourism in recent years.
Unlike most other states, Alaska does not have
plants like poison ivy or poison oak.
The Tongass National
Forest:
Everything-or so it seems-in the 49th state is bigger than in the Lower 48, national forests included. The biggest of the big is Tongass National Forest, which encompasses roughly 17 million acres and extends 500 miles northward along the Pacific coastline from the Alaska-Canada border. As a matter of scale, consider that the largest national forest outside of Alaska (Nevada's Toiyabe) weighs in at 4 million acres.
The Tongass' terrain varies from coastal rain forests to volcanic uplands, from glacial fjords to tundra meadows. Wide stream valleys carved by glaciers slice through dense forests, and the forest's tall snow-capped mountain ranges count some of the highest peaks in North America.
Often called "the forest of islands," the Tongass is in many locations only accessible by air or boat, via a route known as the Inside Passage. The Tongass is also characterized by its lush rainforest of gigantic western hemlock and Sitka spruce. A wet, maritime climate ensures that most areas of the Tongass are doused with anywhere from 8 to 13 or more feet of rainfall a year. Prime growing conditions for the world's largest temperate rainforest means that visitors to the forest should invest in good raingear before arriving.
Sportfishing:
Huge runs of salmon migrate from the open ocean,
around Prince of Wales Island, and into the
protected waters of the Inside passage near
Ketchikan. This mass gathering of five species of
salmon is the reason that this area is known as
the "Salmon capitol of the world". This region of
Alaska is particulary noted for its strong runs
of trophy fish. The finest salt water fishing for
giant halibut, red snapper, ling cod, and rock
cod is also available. Book
A Fishing Trip Here
Flightseeing:
Depart the Ketchikan waterfront and immediately
enter the lush wilderness of the Tongass National
Forest with an experienced Alaska bush pilot.
Whether you want to land on a mountain lake, fly
over fjords, view glaciers and wildlife or just
enjoy the phenomenal and breathtaking beauty of
the last frontier. Scheduled services are also
available to Prince of Wales, Metlakatla, and
Hyder. Book A Flight
Here
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