Clothing for a successful outdoor excursion:

Hiking boots for hiking in the mountains or walking shoes for flat ground. Make sure you have shoes or boots with good quality breathing. Long pants or leggings. Short for the months May-September through November with a legging. Bring the two is a good idea. Sweater or polypropylene wool.

Absolutely avoid cotton is a fabric that dries poorly and stays wet and then lose its heat capacity. But if you use it, have a change of underwear. For more comfort, choose clothes made of synthetic fabrics or combination synthetic cotton. For more comfort, go for the multilayer system that you can adjust according to temperature. For walking more pleasant, all clothing must be composed of fabrics that breathe. In terms of pants, is the ideal pant with zippers that can turn into shorts or long pants to shorts as needed. For the sweater, use one of polypropylene or wool. So collect your gear what you required for outdoor activities. Save on outdoor supplys with Cabelas coupons.

In winter or cold weather, it is particularly important to protect the head during long walks. This may lead to escape until nearly half of our body heat. Remember to cover your ears and forehead. While these materials are vulnerable to frostbite, the latter, if it gets too cold, you could go blind. It is also important to protect yourself with a good neck scarf or neck warmer, this being the basis of our heating system. Arteries passing off, an exposed neck as you could cause significant heat loss. Our ends are devoid of fat, the blood flow is the only thing that keeps them warm. In cold weather, these little bits will be the first to freeze. If you are cold, do not go drink a hot tea. The high temperature of the latter rather sends the opposite message to your body, giving it a feeling of warmth that will last long unfortunately. Alcohol has the same effect by dilating blood vessels. Instead, drink something cold, without being frozen. To stay warm while you adapt to temperature changes, whether external or internal, multi-layer system will be your best ally, from head to toe.

Tips to get boots or shoes suitable for hiking:

Note that the sneakers are not recommended. They help the development of blisters and in some parks, trails guards may even deny you access to the trail with them. Choose shoes based on the type of hiking that we project to practice (eg urban hiking, long or short, etc.). Choose a shoe that offers good support for the ankle that breathes and has a grip sole. The shoe is suitable rigid. It has an average weight, offers good support and protects the ankle.

Go to a good specialty shop and take the time to try both boots and walk to the store. A low synthetic fibers (polyester or polypropylene) covered by a sock or may not contain a portion of polyester is ideal. Unlike cotton, synthetic fibers do not absorb a very small percentage of their weight in water and expel the rest of the moisture away. Walking sticks are an optional accessory, but this item is intended as a helpful companion when hiking. These could save you up to 20% and energetically downhill, they save the joints and muscles.

What you need to find in your bag touring:

• Bottle of water, allow at least 2 liters per person.
• Food, fresh fruits, nuts, energy bars, etc..
• Hat, gloves or mittens for the months from September to May
• Extra pair of socks.
• Windproof lighter, high in the mountains, it sales almost always and often quite strongly.
• One or two additional t-shirts.
• Sunscreen, altitude, ultraviolet rays are aggressive.
• Sunglasses.
• Insect repellent lotion essential from May to August.
• Plastic bag to reduce your waste.
• Garbage bag to protect your clothes in the backpack in case of rain.
• Toilet paper.
• Small first aid kit.
• Whistle.
• A flashlight.

How to get a good bag for hiking:

A good backpack will own compression straps at the waist to reduce the weight of the bag on his shoulders. It is important to spread the load in your bag for hiking it is easy to carry. This is how the load that will make all the difference. The center of gravity of the bag should be as close to the back. To do this, the heaviest elements (usually food and water) must be placed at 2/3 of the height of the bag (shoulder blades) and as close as possible back. We put the lighter elements (sleeping bags and clothing) at the bottom of the bag. We must also consider the utility. The most useful things must be easily accessible. So even if the clothes must be put at the bottom of the bag, clothes for the day can be placed on top to avoid having to undo his entire bag for a pair of gloves. It’s the same for food, snacks for the day on top or in the head of the bag. Care must be taken by putting food in the head of the bag, because this part is very often exposed to sunlight and its contents can heat up quickly. Chocolate bars may suffer.

Avoid hanging objects swinging. If you must place items in your bag, make sure you keep them to prevent them from swaying from left to right during the hike. It can be uncomfortable, because you will always feel the bag unbalanced and more noise can be annoying. Avoid overloading your bag. The weight of your bag must not exceed one third of your body weight. Generally, a bag of 30 to 40 pounds is a reasonable weight for a hike of two or three days.

Fishing and Hiking on Revillagigedo Island

Originating at Orton Lake in the interior of Revillagigedo Island, the Naha River flows through a chain of small lakes — finally reaching its full size at the outlet of Heckman Lake. This popular river system can be reached from downtown Ketchikan by float plane (15 minutes), car and boat (60 minutes), or solely by boat (90 minutes).

Winding along the water’s edge for 5.4 miles, the Naha River National Recreation Trail provides access to some of the best stream fishing in the Ketchikan area. Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are present year-round, and several species of salmon are in the river from July through September. Spring and fall steelhead provide the fishing for which the Naha is especially famous.

Two Forest Service recreation cabins located along the trail can be reserved at the Forest Service office in Ketchikan. Jordan Lake and Heckman Lake cabins offer a comfortable means of camping while exploring the many opportunities in the Naha River valley.

Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937, the trail varies from a nearly flat boardwalk over the lower 2.5 miles, to a moderately steep grade for the next four miles from the swinging bridge to the trail’s end at Heckman Lake cabin.

When traveling by boat to the Naha River, beware of the tide race or salt chuck at the outlet of Roosevelt Lagoon. This narrow, rocky constriction becomes a frothy, roaring whitewater chute as the tide comes in or goes out. While a small boat could negotiate the passage at a high slack tide, it is wiser to avoid this potentially dangerous area and moor your boat at the float nearby.

719 Long Lake Trail
1.3 miles from Behm Narrows to Long Lake shelter. Access to trout fishing and scenery. Trail is in fair condition.

706 & 722 Deer Mountain Trail/Silvis Lake John Mountain Trail
The Deer Mountain Trailhead is reached by heading south on Tongass Highway 1/2 mile to Tatsuda’s Supermarket. Turn left onto Deermount St. Follow Deermount until it dead ends at T-intersection. Turn right at T and follow hiker signs. Trail length is 9.9 miles from City of Ketchikan to Lower Silvis Lake. This trail is rated most difficult. It ascends steeply from the Ketchikan Trailhead to a spectacular overlook of Ketchikan and the surrounding area. It is a 2.5 mile hike to the Deer Mountain Recreation Cabin. From there, experienced hikers can continue past the summit. The trail crosses high alpine ridges and can be dangerous due to elevation and poor weather conditions. It is not well marked as it approaches Silvis Lakes. Dramatic alpine scenery makes the hike well worth the effort. 1/2 mile of trail near Silvis Lakes is under reconstruction this year.

723 Low Lake Trail
2.1 miles from Thorne Arm to Low Lake, Fish Creek, and ending at Big Lake in Misty Fiords National Monument. Adjacent to the Low Lake trailhead is Gokachin Lake Trail proceeding from Thorne Arm up Fish Creek and ending at Star Lake also in Misty Fiords National Monument. Both of these trails access good fishing and are useable from the Fish Creek Cabin.

725 Naha River Trail
5.4 miles from Naha Bay Dock to Heckman Lake Cabin on Heckman Lake. Trail passes the Naha River Shelter and the Jordan Lake Cabin. Excellent wildlife observation, fishing, camping, and hiking are accessed by this trail.

726 Perseverence Trail
2.3 miles from trailhead to Perseverence Lake. Trailhead located approximately 8 miles drive from Ketchikan, across the road from the Ward Lake Recreation Area, near the entrance to 3 C’s Campground. Trail provides easy hiking access to fishing in Perseverence Lake, berry picking, and camping.

740 Connell Lake Trail
Trailhead can be accessed by driving up the Ward Lake Road, past the Ward Lake Recreation Area, and turning into the Connell Lake Dam parking area. Trail is 2.0 miles in length and easy access along the shore of Connell Lake for berry picking, fishing, nature study, and camping. Only the first 1/2 mile is maintained. The trail is scheduled for reconstruction in 1997.

731 Reflection Lake Trail
2.3 miles from Short Bay in northern Behm Canal to Reflection Lake cabin. Recreation opportunities include Steelhead and salmon fishing in Short Creek along with trout and dolly varden fishing in Reflection Lake. This trail provides access to Reflection Lake Cabin. Because the bridge about 3/4 mile from saltwater is out, hikers must ford the stream. This is only possible during low water. Mooring buoy is located in Short Bay for small boat moorage.

732 Orchard Lake Trail
1.2 miles from Shrimp Bay to Orchard Lake. Trail, rated more difficult, is steep to the crest of a ridge west of Orchard Lake, then drops into Orchard Lake. Trail provides access to Plenty Cutthroat Recreation Cabin. trail provides scenic views of one of the twin waterfalls on Orchard Creek, and trout fishing. Buoy located at Klu Bay.

735 Swan Lake Trail
1 mile easy hike to Swan Lake. Trailhead is located at a saltwater dock at the Swan Lake Picnic Area in upper Carroll Inlet. Hikers must check in with Ketchikan Public Utilities caretaker at Swan Lake before beginning hike. A phone at the trailhead is provided for this purpose.

17391 Ward Lake Nature Trail
Trail traversing 1.3 miles around Ward Lake located 8 miles north of Ketchikan by road. Trail is gravel surfaced anti easy to like. Signs interpreting old-growth forests are located along the trail. This is a heavily used trail connecting all of the facilities located around Ward Lake including campgrounds, picnic areas, and fishing sites.

17441 Wolf Lake Trail
Trailhead is located 15 air miles north of Ketchikan in Moser Bay. 2.6 miles in length. Provides access to a 1930′s vintage Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) 3-sided shelter at the outlet of Wolf Lake. Access to trout fishing and hunting. This is a primitive trail accessed by boat or plane. The creek between upper and lower Wolf Lakes must be forded.

745 Mcdonald Lake Trail
1.3 miles from Yes Bay to Wolverine Island in McDonald Lake. Access to McDonald Lake Recreation Cabin and fishing.

702 Bakewell Lake Trail
1.0 miles from Bakewell Arm to Bakewell Lake. The trail is an easy hike. The first 0.5 miles of the trail follows an overgrown abandoned road. Road was used in mid-1950′s for construction of a fish ladder located at the mid-point of the trail. The fish ladder allows salmon to get over a spectacular 40 foot waterfall. Fishing is excellent year round. A skiff where the trail intersects the lake allows exploration of the lake. There is no mooring buoy in Bakewell Arm.

704 Checats Cove Trail
1.1 miles from Behm Canal to Lower Checats Lake. The trail is an easy hike. Checats Cove offers numerous discoveries for the amateur explorer. The trail runs the entire length of Checats Creek. The stream has a strong salmon run in August thus providing an excellent opportunity to watch salmon spawning. This is a true wilderness trail. Low visitor use results in a very serene setting.

1707 Ella Lake Trail
2.5 miles from Ella Bay to Lower Ella Lake. The trail is an easy hike. It travels through old growth spruce, hemlock, and cedar forest, muskegs and grass meadows. The upper stretches follow Ella Creek closely. Most of the trail is improved with puncheon boardwalks or wood chip tread making walking relatively easy. There is a mooring buoy in Ella Bay. A bubbling soda spring can also be found during low tides. It is located about 114 mile north of the trailhead in the intertidal zone of Ella Bay. Look for the rock cairn marking the springs.

709 Hugh Smith Trail
0.5 miles from Mink Bay to Hugh Smith Lake. The trail is an easy hike with one steep hill traversed by a series of switchbacks located at about the midpoint of the trail. At the lake a hiker can observe Alaska Department of Fish & Game biologists working at a fish weir conducting a sockeye salmon population study. Trout and salmon fishing in this system is considered to be excellent. No skiff is provided on this lake.

7121 Lake Grace Trail
2.3 miles from Grace Cove to Lake Grace. This trail is rated most difficult. Be prepared for some hard hiking, but the beauty and excellent trout fishing make it all worth while. Except for the trail, there are no recreation facilities present on site.

715 Humpback Creek Trail
3.0 miles from Mink Bay to Humpback Lake. This trail is rated most difficult and includes a steep climb to the top of Humpback Hill. The route takes a hiker through scenic old growth forests, beautiful muskegs, several small ponds, and sounds of waterfalls seem to come from every direction. The trail ends at Humpback Lake near a small logjam that provides excellent cover for trout.

721 Manzanita Lake Trail
3.5 miles from Manzanita Bay to Manzanita Lake. This trail is rated moderately difficult. This trail passes through large expanses of muskegs with many beaver ponds. A ridge also allows a panoramic view of the area. The trail includes a unique opportunity to hike on boardwalk across the top of a log jam. This is an excellent place for birding as there is open muskeg as well as dense timber. Wolves are seen frequently in this area. Manzanita Bay Shelter (M20) is located near the trailhead.

724 Nooya Lake Trail
1 mile from Rudyerd Bay to Nooya Lake-one of Misty Fiord’s glacially formed lakes with high granite walls. This trail is rated moderately difficult. Recreational facilities at Nooya Lake include a shelter that can be accessed by the skiff found at the end of the trail.

729 Punchbowl Lake Trail
0.9 miles from Punchbowl Cove to shelter at Punchbowl Lake (M23). This is considered Misty Fiord’s most popular trail. It begins as a combination of boardwalk and natural tread. As the route starts to gain elevation, stairs are notched out of old fallen trees and switchbacks lead up the slope. While the climb is quite steep, there are many vantage points where you can stop to catch your breath, only to have it taken away again by the beauty of the landscape. At the 0.5 mile point, the trail appears to dead end at a spectacular waterfall. The last section of trail follows the stream to the corner of Punchbowl Lake where soaring granite cliffs fringe the lake. Punchbowl Lake has an island in the center of it, on which there is a small lake. From above, it was thought to resemble a ring of ice floating in a punchbowl -hence the name.

743 Winstanley Lake Trail
2.3 miles from the mooring buoy in Shoalwater Cove past Lower Winstanley Lake to the shelter (M22) at Winstanley Lake. This trail is rated moderately difficult. After the first mile, the trail crosses Winstanley Creek on a bridge built using traditional hand tools. Take a few minutes to observe the details in construction of this 65 foot bridge. The trail continues on past muskegs, beaver ponds, and old growth timber. The second crossing of Winstanley Creek must be accomplished by wading as the bridge has recently washed out. Panoramic views and excellent birding opportunities abound. A skiff is provided at the Winstanley Lake Shelter.

755 Titan Trail
4.8 miles from trailhead parking up the Fish Creek drainage to an old mine site and cabin remains located below the summit of Mt. Welker. The trailhead is located 6 miles north of Hyder on the Fish Creek Road. Hyder is the only community in Southern Southeast Alaska accessible by road. Titan Trail provides beautiful panoramas of the Fish Creek and Salmon River valley. At the top of the trail there is a spectacular view of the surrounding glacial ice fields. 1/4 mile south of the trailhead is the Hyder Bear Observatory.

Black Mountain Trail
Length 1.2 miles, elevation gain 150 feet, accessible by boat it is located 8 miles from town at Icehouse Cove.

Connell Lake Trail
Length 1 mile, elevation gain 100 feet, located at the Connell Lake Dam site.

Gokachin Lake Trail
Length 1 mile, elevation gain 300 feet, accessible by boat or floatplane, located 26 miles from town at the head of Thorne Arm near the fish Creek Recreational Cabin.

Silvis Lake Trail
Length 2 miles to Lower Silvis Lake, 3 miles to Upper Silvis Lake, elevation gain 1112 feet (to Upper Lake), located 15 miles south of town at the end of the road.

Thorne Bay Ranger District (north)
Craig Ranger District (south)

Craig Ranger District
717 Kegan Lake Trail
12 mile from saltwater at head of Kegan Cove in Moira Sound to Kegan Lake. Easy hike along Kegan Creek. Featured in fishing magazines the Kegan Lake area is internationally acclaimed for steelhead, sockeye. and coho runs. The lake has a native rainbow population and excellent fishing.

Thorne Bay Ranger District

716 Karta River Trail
Moderate 4.8 mile hike from mouth of Karta River at Karta Bay to Salmon Lake Cabin. Access is provided to Karta River, Karta Lake, and Salmon Lake cabins. This area lies within the heart of the Karta Wilderness Area. The Karta River has a tremendous run of coho, pink, chum, and sockeye salmon, as well as native populations of dolly varden, cutthroat trout, and steelhead. This trail is the most heavily used trail on the Thorne Bay Ranger District.

717 Kegan Lake Trail
12 mile from saltwater at head of Kegan Cove in Moira Sound to Kegan Lake. Easy hike along Kegan Creek. Featured in fishing magazines the Kegan Lake area is internationally acclaimed for steelhead, sockeye. and coho runs. The lake has a native rainbow population and excellent fishing.

736 One Duck Trail
1.25 mile trail. Trailhead located off the Hydaburg road 2.0 miles south of the intersection with the Hollis-Klawock Highway. Accesses a 3-sided Adirondack type shelter located at the edge of the alpine vegetation zone. Trail climbs 1,400 feet in 1.25 miles. Be prepared for a steep climb! The trail provides for outstanding panoramic views of the Klawock Mountains and the surrounding area. Deer and black bear are common and in heavy snow years the area is popular for cross country skiing.

737 Trocadero Trail
1.3 mile trail. Trailhead located off the Hydaburg Road 9.0 miles south of the intersection with the Hollis-Klawock Highway. Trail descends to the west and ends at Snipe Creek. After fording the creek (no bridge), an unmaintained path can be followed to the estuary at Trocadero Bay.

741 Soda Lake Trail
2 5 mile Iail. Trailhead located off the Hydaburg road 12.0 miles south of the intersection with the Hollis-Klawock Highway. The trail heads west through a muskeg and ends at Soda Lake.

775 Harris River Trail
1.3 mile trail. Trailhead located off Hollis-Klawock Highway 2.0 miles east of the Hydaburg turnoff. Trail descends to the south side of the road and ends along the Harris River. The Harris River is a large river with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and good salmon, steelhead, and trout fishing.

716 Karta River Trail
Moderate 4.8 mile hike from mouth of Karta River at Karta Bay to Salmon Lake Cabin. Access is provided to Karta River, Karta Lake, and Salmon Lake cabins. This area lies within the heart of the Karta Wilderness Area. The Karta River has a tremendous run of coho, pink, chum, and sockeye salmon, as well as native populations of dolly varden, cutthroat trout, and steelhead. This trail is the most heavily used trail on the Thorne Bay Ranger District.

772 Red Bay Lake Trail
34 mile hike rated more difficult. Trail extends from trailhead on road #20 to a row boat at the north end of Red Bay Lake. The row boat can then be used to access the Red Bay Lake Cabin. Trail is rated more difficult because of poor trail conditions as the trail follows Red Bay Lake Creek. The trail is muddy, marshy, and slippery The district is now making plans to relocate the trail to a drier site. Fishing opportunities are abundant. The species most noted in the area include coho, pink, chum, and sockeye salmon, steelhead, cutthroat, and Dolly Varden.773 Salmon Bay Lake Trail
1.5 mile hike rated more difficult. Trail extends from the saltwater flats of Salmon Bay to the Salmon Bay Lake Cabin located at the creek outlet from Salmon Bay Lake. There are areas of mud and bad footing on the trail. At the north end there is some moderate climbing. There is a Forest Service skiff at the lake. Fishing opportunities include pink, chum, coho, and sockeye salmon and cutthroat and Dolly Varden.

785, 786 Lake Ellen/ Salt Chuck Trail
Trailhead accessed by following road 2030-970 just east of the Goose Creek bridge, approximately 15 miles from Thorne Bay, to a parking area just south of Lake No. 3. Salt Chuck Trail (#786) is 1 mile long and begins in an old clear-cut at the edge of the gravel. For most of the way the trail follows closely the banks of Ellen Creek. It passes the historic site of the old Salt Chuck mine. The Salt Chuck ruins are extensive and include a number of shacks, a collapsed refinery, a home, a barge, and numerous pieces of machinery. The collapsed buildings are in extremely hazardous condition. Please exercise extreme care when looking around and do not climb on them. The trail is rated more difficult due to deep mud, downed logs and overgrown underbrush.

791 Rio Roberts Trail

Easy 34 mile trail from State Highway 929 to fish pass and viewing deck on Rio Roberts Creek. The trail traverses through a muskeg, and is well maintained. A viewing deck allows a close view of the fish pass structure and the falls.

795 Shipley Bay Trail
34 mile hike rated more difficult. Trail extends from Shipley Bay Cabin to Shipley Lake where there is a Forest Service skiff for public use. Many species of fish are present in the lake including rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead, and salmon. Location includes a very scenic valley and leads to views of the Nipples, one of the higher peaks on the outside islands. Trail leads past the cabin along the north shore of Shipley Creek, crosses over a bridge to the south shore, then follows a moderate to fairly steep (for short distances) incline along this shore to the banks of Shipley Bay.

Hugh Smith Lake
Distance (miles): 0.25
Feature: Boca De Quadra to Hugh Smith Lake
USGS Topographic Map”Ketchikan”: A-3Punchbowl Lake
Distance (miles): 1.0
Feature: Punchbowl Cove to Punchbowl shelter
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: C-3

Ella Lake
Distance (miles): 4.3
Feature: Ella Bay to Ella Lake
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: C-3,C-4,B-3,B-4

Manzanita Lake
Distance (miles): 3.3
Feature: Manzanita Bay to Manzanita Lake
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: C-3, C-4

Grace Lake
Distance (miles): 1.9
Feature: Grace Cove to Grace Lake (poor condition)
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: C-3, C-4

Nooya Lake
Distance (miles): 0.8
Feature: Rudyerd Bay to Nooya Lake (shelter at lake)
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: C-3

Winstanley Lake
Distance (miles): 2.3
Feature: Behm Canal to Winstanley Lake
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: B-3

Checats
Distance (miles): 1.0
Feature: Checats Cove to Lower Checats Lake
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: B-3

Humpback
Distance (miles): 3.0
Feature: Mink Bay to Humpback Lake
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: A-2, A-3

Bakewell Lake
Distance (miles): 1.3
Feature: Bakewell Arm to Bakewell Lake
USGS Topographic Map “Ketchikan”: B-2

Cathedral Falls Trail . . . Quarter mile hike to good fishing creek
Goose Lake Trail . . . Three quarters of a mile to lake with good fishing, hunting and cross country skiing.

Hamilton Creek Trail . . . 1 mile. Good fishing and hunting.

This recreation access trail is popular with hunters and anglers.Length (one way): 1 mile
Rating: Easiest
USGS Maps: Petersburg D-5 and D-6

Access: From Kake, drive 13 miles on Road #6314 to the trailhead. Alaska Marine Highway ferries make regular stops at Kake.

Description/Attractions: The trail leads from the road to Hamilton Creek. To the west lie the tidal flats of Hamilton Bay. The trail continues southeast, meandering upstream along the banks of the creek and leading to many fishing and waterfowl hunting sites. Trout, char, and salmon inhabit the creek and black bears frequently fish there during the summer and fall. No facilities are provided.

This trail gives hunters and anglers access to Goose Lake from Kake.Length (one way): 0.75 mile
Rating: Easiest
USGS Maps: Petersburg D-5 and D-6

Access: From the town of Kake, drive 10 miles on Road #6314 then 1 mile on Road #6030 to the trailhead. Alaska Marine Highway ferries make regular stops at Kake.

Description/Attractions: The trail leads from the road to Goose Lake, where trout fishing, waterfowl hunting, and winter cross-country skiing are popular. Short parts of the trail are boardwalk. A small boat is provided for fishing and rowing on the lake. No other facilities exist.