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The Trip

Join us as we explore the natural history and tribal heritage of southeast Alaska's Inside 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'll comb the shoreline for intertidal creatures, birds, plants, and marine animals. Additionally, the trip will include a visit to the Anan Creek Bear Observatory where we’ll likely see bears feasting on salmon.

Itinerary

We'll begin our voyage in picturesque Wrangell, Alaska. Our group will gather 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. Therefore, what follows is only a sample itinerary!

Days 1-2: The trip officially begins at 10 a.m. at Wrangell’s municipal harbor. We’ll board the Snow Goose, assign cabins, have a safety talk and then get underway.

We have obtained a permit for a visit to the Anan Bear Observatory through the Forest Service's lottery system. On the way, we’ll likely stop for a short hike, or perhaps visit Virginia Lake, where the hardy can 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, deck area, and blind that give us an opportunity to watch the bears up close. We’ll spend an entire day at Anan!

Day 3: Heading north through the Wrangell Narrows, we may stop at some interesting petroglyph-inscribed rocks before stopping near Petersburg, an interesting small town. We may take a hike through a nearby bog full of fascinating unique plants that are native to that environment, or take a hike out of Petersburg itself. We will then continue north on Frederick Sound to Thomas Bay.

Days 4-5: With good weather, we’ll awake to see spectacular mountains, seascapes, and glaciers. Frederick Sound, Chatham Strait, and Stephens Passage are considered the best areas in southeast Alaska to see humpback whales. We'll explore all of these areas. With luck, we'll see some spectacular whale behavior. We also likely observe sea otters, orcas, Dall porpoises, terns, and other interesting seabirds. We’ll spend a 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 6-7: A treat is in store for us as we cruise up one of the fjords to the foot of a large tidewater glacier, perhaps the Dawes Glacier. These glaciers extend hundreds of feet above the water and are constantly calving icebergs into the water below. Depending on schedule and interest, we may continue to Five Fingers lighthouse for a shore excursion, or even go as far as Kake -- one of the native villages in this part of Alaska.

Days 8-9: We'll visit Baranof Warm Springs for a relaxing soak and a chance to hike to a lake above the picturesque falls. During this time we will also visit Admiralty Island National Monument, which has the highest concentration of brown bears (coastal grizzlies) and nesting bald eagles in North America.

Day 10: Weather and sea conditions permitting, we’ll head to St. Lazaria Island, a wildlife refuge, where we should see tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, rhinoceros auklets, and several other bird species. We will aim to reach our final destination, Sitka, by noon.

Although the trip is officially over when we dock in Sitka, you should spend at least another day in this fascinating city. Sitka, rich in Native American (Tlingit), Russian, and American history. 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. Also within walking distance of the park is the Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center, which provides medical treatment to various birds of prey and allows you to see these creatures up close.

Getting There

You will need to make your transportation arrangements to arrive in Wrangell and depart from Sitka. Alaska Airlines serves both cities. In both places, taxis are available between the harbor, airport, and town.

Because weather in Southeast Alaska is unpredictable, we always recommend that you plan to arrive at least one day before trip departure. There is much to do and see in Southeast Alaska, and this trip can serve as the centerpiece for an extended trip. Our gateway city Wrangell provides 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. Or take a day trip to the mighty Stikine River, experiencing the same incredible scenery, glaciers, wildlife, and adventures as John Muir did in 1879. The trip leader can provide you with suggestions for ways to extend your trip.

Accommodations and Food

Our home will be a 65-foot-long Snow Goose. Built in 1973 as a private yacht, this U.S. Coast Guard-certified passenger vessel boasts a motorized inflatable raft for shore excursions, and several sea kayaks to allow any or all of the passengers to quietly explore islands and shorelines. The knowledgeable crew consists of a captain, a professional cook, and an experienced deckhand. We'll also have a naturalist onboard 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 traveling from place to place, observing marine life, and stopping for shore excursions one to three times each day.

All meals will be onboard the ship. We will have a social hour before dinner and evening discussions about our experiences that day. Most nights will be spent anchored in quiet coves. The trip price includes all meals, starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on 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. Complimentary wine is served before and with dinner. Otherwise, guests are responsible for bringing their own alcoholic beverages or soft drinks. Coffee and tea are also provided.

Trip Difficulty

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 will be useful on some hikes. You must be able to descend a short ladder to board an inflatable launch for shore excursions. Daytime temperatures usually range from 55-85 degrees. Although we should have days with sunshine, we must be also prepared for rain and gusty winds. The minimum age for the trip is 12 years.

We use a professional captain, cook, and naturalist for our Southeast Alaska cruise. The industry practice is that outfitters require participants to sign a waiver similar to the Sierra Club waiver you will be asked to sign. Your trip leader will provide you with the details for your trip.

Equipment and Clothing

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 knee-length rubber 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 may be some limited opportunities to fish. An Alaska fishing license is required and may be purchased in Wrangell or online before the trip. You will receive a detailed clothing and equipment list specific to this trip from the leader after signing up.

References

• Otteson, Paul, Alaska Travel Smart. This guidebook gives excellent overviews of places of interest in Alaska.
• Muir, John, Travels in Alaska. Discover Alaska through the eyes of the Sierra Club's founder.
• Mitchner, James A., Alaska. Explore Alaska and its peoples from early times to the present day.
• Reid, William, The Raven Steals the Light. Savor Reid's fascinating stories and legends of the Haida people.
• L'Amour, Louis, Sitka. An early adventurer faces the dangers of Russian-owned Alaska.
• McPhee, John, Coming into the Country. Alaska is far more complex geographically, culturally, ecologically, and politically than most Americans appreciate, and few writers are as capable of capturing this complexity as McPhee, who describes his travels through much of the state.
• Wiley, Sally, Blue Ice in Motion, The Story of Alaska’s Glaciers. This book provides an illustrated introduction to Alaska's glaciers, with details on how they form, why they move, and the landforms that result.
• Hedin, Robert and Gary Holthause, Alaska, Reflections on Land and Spirit. This book provides a collection of stories by writers who are native to Alaska, or have traveled and lived in Alaska. It includes accounts of explorers, natives, naturalists, and others.
• Heacox, Kim, The Only Kayak. An account of the past 25 years that the author has spent living in Glacier Bay. Includes a look at his own development as a conservationist.
• Schooler, Lynn, The Blue Bear. Schooler worked for many years as a guide in the Alaska Panhandle. This book chronicles his search with photographer Michio Hoshino for the rare glacier bear, a blue-tinted variation of more common black bears.

Conservation

The Alaska Inside 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, mining, and climate change. Further information will be coming as we prepare for our trip together.

Travel in Alaska and the Arctic

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.

Trip Price

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.

Staff

Jim Murphy has been a Sierra Club Outings leader for 14 years. He has been an avid river enthusiast and kayaker for 30 years. This is the fourth Alaska trip Jim has led. He enjoys helping fellow trip members get a spiritual and life-changing experience out of this once-in-a-lifetime, must-do trip. Being on the water is his passion. In real life Jim is an emergency medicine physician.

E-mail: waverider53705@yahoo.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners