Photo: Jon Kangas Wilderness Cruise on Alaska's Inside Passage Highlights:
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Trip Number: 09027A Price: $4395 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 11 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Jon Kangas 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 inter-tidal creatures, birds, plants and marine animals. Additionally, the trip may include a visit to the Anan Creek Bear Observatory.
 Photo: Jon Kangas Our flexible daily itinerary will be based on group interests, weather conditions, and, of course, animal sightings. This outing reverses itinerary and direction of the other Inland Passage cruise. We'll begin our voyage in picturesque Sitka, Alaska, where we will have an optional (but strongly encouraged) orientation meeting the evening before our trip departs to get acquainted and take a look at the trip plan. Sitka, rich in Tlingit, Russian and American history, deserves at least a day or more of exploration before 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.  Photo: Jon Kangas Day 1: The voyage officially begins at 9:30 a.m. at the municipal harbor. We will be met by a crew member and, after boat orientation and cabin assignment, lunch will be served. After lunch we will depart from Sitka and head north through Sitka Sound. We will explore a variety of areas over the next several days, and should see some spectacular whale behavior. We should also see sea otters, tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, rhinoceros auklets and several other bird species (typically seen at places such as St. Lazaria Island, a wildlife refuge).
 Photo: Jon Kangas Day 2 - 9: Our voyage itinerary typically will take us to Admiralty Island National Monument, which has the highest concentration of brown bears (grizzlies) and nesting bald eagles in North America. We may also have time to visit Baranoff Warm Springs for a relaxing soak and a chance to hike to a lake above picturesque waterfalls. Typically we will cruise up the Endicott Arm to the foot of Dawes Glacier, estimated at 220 feet high at the water. We continue on to Five Fingers lighthouse for a shore excursion and on to the native town of Kake. At an island group called The Brothers we will take our skiff or kayaks to observe sea lions as well as typically hike through a rainforest. We will travel through Peril Straits, between Baranof and Chichikof Islands, and into Chatham Strait, summer home of humpback whales and Steller sea lions. We will spend a day among the gigantic icebergs, watching a magnificent tidewater glacier before heading south through Wrangell Narrows. We'll also head for Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage. These are considered the best areas in Southeast Alaska to see humpback whales, and sightings occur on a daily basis. With good luck, we may also observe orcas and Dall porpoises.  Photo: Jon Kangas We will leave the boat and go ashore each day to walk the beaches and trails of the Tongass National Forest. We will visit petroglyph-inscribed rocks and stroll through Petersburg, an interesting small town. Every night we will stop in a new and secluded anchorage, and before dinner there will often be time to kayak, or simply read and relax in your favorite deck chair. There may be an option to go ashore and enjoy a natural hot spring. We hope to obtain permits through the Forest Service's lottery system for a stop at the Anan Creek Bear Observatory. Long used by bears and humans as a fishing site, Anan Creek has the largest run of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska. The site is originally a native Tlingit village. The U.S. Forest Service has built a half-mile boardwalk and a simple observatory with a viewing blind overlooking the cascading falls where the salmon jump and the bears catch their meal. From here, you'll have the opportunity to watch the bears up close. Studies have estimated that there are over 50 black bears and about a dozen brown bears in the area. Day 10: The trip concludes upon our arrival in Wrangell late in the morning on the last day of the trip. Wrangell affords some interesting post-trip 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. You could also travel the Stikine River experiencing the same scenery, glaciers, wildlife and adventures as those of the gold miners. Getting There You will need to make your own transportation arrangements to arrive in Sitka and depart from Wrangell. Alaska Airlines serves both cities. In both places, taxis are available between the harbor and airport or town. There is much to do and see in Southeast Alaska, and this trip can serve as the centerpiece for an extended trip. The trip leader can provide you with suggestions for ways to extend your trip.
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. 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. Complimentary wine is served before and with dinner. Otherwise, guests are responsible for bringing their own alcoholic beverages or juices and soft drinks. Coffee and tea are provided.
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 ascend and descend a short ladder to board and exit an inflatable raft for shore excursions. Daytime temperatures usually range from 55-85 F. 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 release forms for both the Sierra Club and the 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 Sitka or online before the trip. You will receive a detailed clothing and equipment list specific to this trip from the leader after signing up.
Books :
This guidebook gives excellent overviews of places of interest in Alaska.
Discover Alaska through the eyes of the Sierra Club's founder.
Explore Alaska and its peoples from early times to the present day.
Savor Reid's fascinating stories and legends of the Haida people.
An early adventurer faces the dangers of Russian-owned Alaska
Alaska is far more complex geographically, culturally, ecologically, and politically than most Americans know, and few writers are as capable of capturing this complexity as McPhee, who describes his travels through much of the state. Conservation 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 trip leader, we will experience and discuss several environmental issues for Southeast Alaska including logging in the Tsongass 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.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. 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.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Herb Grench has been leading Sierra Club outings for more than 11 years, including rafting trips to the Northwest, Southwest, Alaska, and Canada. He has also led trips to Antarctica, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Iceland, and Tanzania. He is eager to get back on the Owyhee, one of his favorite rivers. He describes himself as a "nature lover and would-be naturalist with a particular interest in birds." Herb has been honored by Sierra Club Outings for his special contributions and performance as a volunteer leader.