Sierra Club Outings | Wilderness Cruise on Alaska's Inside Passage

Wilderness Cruise on Alaska's Inside Passage
August 6-August 15, 2009

Highlights:

Look for whales, seals and birds while traveling on a small yacht
See bears in their natural habitiat
Hike to beaches, waterfalls and alpine meadows during daily exursions

Includes:

Yacht lodging and all meals
On-trip naturalist/marine biologist
Use of sea kayaks

Join us on this family trip as we explore the natural history and tribal heritage of Southeast Alaska's Inland Passage from the comfort of a small yacht. We will watch humpback whales, journey into fjords to see icebergs and a tidewater glacier, and look for bears and other wildlife. Most of our voyage will take place in the Tongass National Forest -- the largest in North America. Each day, we'll go ashore to experience beautiful beaches and forests, tumbling waterfalls, alpine meadows, and wetlands filled with incredible plants. Accompanied by a naturalist, we will comb the shoreline for intertidal creatures, birds, plants, and marine animals. Additionally, the trip may include a visit to the Anan Creek Bear Observatory.

We'll begin our voyage in picturesque Wrangell, Alaska. Getting there a day or two before the trip gives some interesting options for those curious about history and the Tlingit native culture. Visit Chief Shakes Island, Tribal House Historic Monument, and Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park. Travel the mighty Stikine River experiencing the same incredible scenery, glaciers, wildlife and adventures as those of the gold miners. There will be an optional (but strongly encouraged) get-together the evening before the trip begins to get acquainted and take a look at the trip plan. Our flexible daily itinerary will be based upon group interests, weather conditions, and, of course, animal sightings. What follows is a typical itinerary.

Days 1 and 2: The trip officially begins at 10 a.m. at Wrangell's municipal harbor. We hope to obtain a permit through the forest service's lottery system for a visit to the Anan Bear Observatory. On the way we would take a short hike to Virginia Lake where the hardy could enjoy a chilly swim. The Anan Creek has the largest run of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska. It has long been used by bears and humans as a fishing and food-gathering site. Twenty-five years ago the U.S. Forest Service improved a trail to the falls and built a simple observatory on the site of a former Tlingit village. The forest service has a half-mile boardwalk trail and a deck area and blind that give one an opportunity to watch the bears up close.

Day 3: Heading north through the Wrangell Narrows, we will stop at some interesting petroglyph-inscribed rocks before stopping for a stroll through Petersburg, an interesting small town. A hike through a nearby bog will reveal the fascinating unique plants in that environment. Continuing north on Frederick Sound to Thomas Bay, we'll stop to take a hike up Cascade Creek.

Days 4 and 5: With good weather we'll awake to see spectacular Baird Glacier. Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, and Stephens Passage are considered the best areas in Southeast Alaska to see humpback whales. We will explore all three areas, starting with Frederick Sound. With good luck, we will see some spectacular whale behavior. We may also observe orcas, Dall porpoises, puffins, and other interesting seabirds. We'll spend the night at an island group called The Brothers where we can take our skiff or kayaks to observe sea lions. A gorgeous hike through a rainforest also awaits us at these islands.

Days 6 and 7: A treat is in store for us as we cruise up the Endicott Arm to the foot of Dawes Glacier, an estimated 220 feet high at the water. We'll continue on to Five Fingers lighthouse for a shore excursion and further on to the native town of Kake.

Days 8 and 9: We will visit Baranof Warm Springs for a relaxing soak and a chance to hike to a lake above picturesque falls. Our voyage will take us to Admiralty Island National Monument, which has the highest concentration of brown bears (grizzlies) and nesting bald eagles in North America.

Day 10: Our last stop will be at St. Lazaria Island, a wildlife refuge, where we should see tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, rhinoceros auklets, and several other bird species. We expect to reach Sitka about noon, weather permitting. Sitka, rich in Native American (Tlingit), Russian, and American history, deserves at least a day of exploration after the trip. Visit the Sitka National Historic Park, which memorializes the battle of Sitka in 1804 between the Russians and the Tlingits and contains remarkable Tlingit and Haida totems. On the way, stop by wonderful native exhibits at the Sheldon Jackson Museum . Near the park is the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center, which provides medical treatment to various birds of prey and allows you to see these creatures close-up.

Our home will be a 65-foot-long motorized steel ship. Built in 1973 as a private yacht, this U.S. Coast Guard-certified passenger vessel boasts a motorized inflatable raft for shore excursions, and two inflatable double kayaks for quietly exploring islands and shorelines. The knowledgeable crew consists of a captain, a professional cook, and an experienced deck hand. We'll also have a naturalist on board with expertise in marine biology, ornithology, or anthropology.

The yacht sleeps 12 passengers in six private, fully-heated cabins, and has three toilets and two hot showers. The main deck features an airy salon, a library, a galley, and a dining area. Large windows permit unobstructed views out all sides, and access to the outside is easy. The upper bridge deck provides a good vantage point for spotting wildlife and has comfortable seating for passengers who wish to learn about navigation. Please note that smoking is not permitted aboard the ship.

The small vessel allows access to shoreline areas inaccessible to larger ships. We will spend days sailing from place to place, observing marine life, and stopping for shore excursions. All meals will be onboard the ship. We will have a social hour before dinner and evening discussions about our experiences that day. Our nights will be spent anchored in quiet coves. The trip price includes all meals starting with lunch the first day and ending with breakfast the last day.

A professional cook will prepare all the meals. Volunteer help is always welcome. There will be ample quantities of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy products. Delicious, wholesome meals will be served family- or buffet-style.

This will be a leisurely trip. Hikes will be optional and generally easy, covering moderate terrain. Insects should not be a significant problem, although mosquito repellent may be useful on some hikes. You must be able to descend a short ladder to board an inflatable raft for shore excursions. Daytime temperatures usually range from 55-85 degrees. Although we should have lots of sunshine, we must be prepared for rain and gusty winds. The minimum age for the trip is 12 years. All participants in Sierra Club water trips must sign liability releases for both the Sierra Club and concessionaire.

Interests may vary from one person to another, so the equipment list may vary a bit too. You'll certainly want to bring layered clothing with excellent raingear and rain boots, a camera, and binoculars. Photographers of all skill levels will have ample opportunities to take pictures of wildlife and scenery. For all except serious photographers, a point-and-shoot camera -- preferably with a zoom lens -- works quite well. Those who are particularly interested in bird watching will have a treat in store, so good binoculars are essential. Although this is not a fishing trip, there will be some limited opportunities to fish. An Alaska fishing license is required and may be purchased in Wrangellor online before the trip. You will receive a detailed clothing and equipment list specific to this trip from the leader after signing up.

The Alaska Inland Passage is a vast and delightful wilderness, but human impacts increasingly affect this area. Drawing upon the knowledge of our crew and your trip leader, we will experience and discuss several environmental issues for Southeast Alaska including logging in the Tongass National Forest , salmon fisheries, and global warming. Further information will be coming as we prepare for our trip together.

Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska and Arctic Canada trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska and Arctic Canada is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Herb Grench has been leading Sierra Club trips for over 11 years. He has led six sailing trips to Alaska and British Columbia, including two on the Inland Passage before this one. In addition, he has led several raft trips in Alaska and the Southwest as well as many trips abroad. He has a special interest in birding but is not hard-core and enjoys helping others with identification. Herb says that he�s on his fourth career, volunteering for the Sierra Club.