Petersburg Creek

Located in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska.

Location: This Wilderness is located in the northeast portion of Kupreanof Island. The boundary of the 46,777-acre Wilderness extends from the small community of Kupreanof, directly across the Wrangell Narrows from the City of Petersburg, west through the Petersburg Creek drainage to the salt chuck at the north end of Duncan Canal.

Access: The eastern boundary is easily reached by boat across Wrangell Narrows to Kupreanof State Dock or Petersburg Creek. From the dock it is a ten-mile hike up the trail to Petersburg Lake. From the high tide trailhead up Petersburg Creek it is a six-mile hike to the lake. The trail has a More Difficult rating, although the majority is boardwalk. The Portage Mountain Loop Trail (Most Difficult) continues on from Petersburg Lake and ends near the Salt Chuck East Cabin. In addition to accessing the western portion of this Wilderness by the Portage Mountain Loop Trail, it can be reached by boat or floatplane. Planes can land on the Duncan Salt Chuck or on Petersburg Lake.

Description: The Petersburg Creek drainage is a typical U-shaped glacier carved valley. Valley walls are steep in some areas with rock outcroppings visible. The valley sides are forested with spruce and hemlock; muskeg bogs are common at the lower elevations. Wildlife of the area includes black bears, Sitka black-tail deer, wolves, numerous other furbearers, and a variety of waterfowl. All species of salmon, except the king salmon, are found in Petersburg Creek as well as Petersburg Lake and its tributaries. Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are also found in these waters.

Facilities: There are two Forest Service public recreation cabins available, one at Petersburg Lake, and the other in the Duncan Salt Chuck.

Special Features: Petersburg Creek is popular for hiking and fishing. The proximity of the city of Petersburg makes it easy to access this wilderness.

For further information contact: Petersburg Ranger District - Tongass National Forest