Tongass National Forest

Beaver Lake Trail. . . Good vistas while walking through wetlands, muskegs and stunted forests. Fishing.
Gavan Hill Trail. . . . . Good access to alpine country for exploring and camping.
Harbor Mountain Ridge Trail. . . 2 miles. Only subalpine area in southeastern Alaska that is accessible by road.
Harbor Mountain Shelter Trail. . . Very short walk to picnic site.
Indian River Trail. . . Wildlife and views within walking from downtown Sitka.
Mount Verstovia Trail. . . Spectacular views, ending in subalpine meadows.

Beaver Lake Trail
Length (one way): 0.8 mile
One Way Trip Time: 40 minutes
Trail Begins: Sawmill Creek Recreation Area.
Trail Ends: Beaver Lake
Recommended Season: All year
USGS Maps: Sitka A-4
Elevation Gain: 250 feet

Trail Rating: Moderate. Popular trail well suited to family outings. Tread in fair condition overall. Steep in beginning, then mostly level. Cleared and brushed, 1987. Bears may be present.

Access: The trail is 5 miles east of Sitka (as the crow flies). At mile 5.5 on Sawmill Creek Road across from the pulp mill turn left onto the uphill trending gravel road. Go 1.5 miles to the Sawmill Creek campground. The trail begins across the bridge over Sawmill Creek on the south side of the open area.

Special Features: Good vistas of nearby rugged mountains. Lovely walk over muskegs, along marshes and through stunted forests. Beaver Lake has been stocked periodically with grayling between 1986 and 1991.

Description: The marked trailhead is on the south side of a small clearing in the alder just southwest of the bridge. The trail is quite steep for the first quarter mile with an elevation gain of about 200 feet spread over several switchbacks. Here the trail runs through an open forest of hemlock, Sitka spruce and yellow cedar. After the steep climb, the planked boardwalk portion of the trail begins as it breaks out into muskeg and stunted forests. The last eighth mile of boardwalk runs through open forest and parallels the Beaver Lake outlet stream and associated marshes. The trail continues to several fishing platforms along the southern edge of the lake.

Gavan Hill Trail
Length (one way): 3 miles
One Way Trip Time: 3 to 4 hours
Trail Begins: Baranof Street, in north Sitka
Trail Ends: Gavan Hill Summit, elevation 2505 feet.
Trail Rating: Moderate. Rebuilt in 1993. Steep uphill climb. Bears may be present.
Recommended Season: Spring-Summer-Fall
USGS Maps: Sitka A-4
Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet
Access: The trail begins within walking distance of downtown Sitka. The marked trailhead is just past the house at 500 Baranof Street.

History: Built in 1937 to provide forest access to recreationists and hunters.

Special Features: Good access to alpine country for exploring and camping. Excellent vistas of Sitka and surrounding country. This trail connects with the Harbor Mountain Trail, which terminates at the end of the Harbor Mountain Road, atop Harbor Mountain.

Description: The first half mile of trail follows the path of an old pipeline northeast across gently sloping muskegs and scrubby forests. The trail enters the forest and begins climbing the side of Gavan Hill. At about 3/4 mile up the trail, the Cross Trail, a marked trail skirting Sitka, branches off to the left. The Gavan Hill Trail continues up while looping east and north along a low ridge. At an elevation of about 500 feet it begins a series of numerous switchbacks up the southeast flank of Gavan Hill. Upon attaining the Gavan Hill ridge, the trail runs through a forest of stunted trees, which gives way to subalpine meadows after a quarter mile. The first peak (elevation 2100 ft.) is reached after a half mile, and includes a steep 200-foot climb. The trail continues another quarter mile northwest along the ridge to a second peak (elevation 2505 ft.) Rock cairns (piles) and a gravel path mark the way along the last half mile of the trail which leads to the Gavan/Harbor Mountain Hut (shelter).

Harbor Mountain Ridge Trail
Length (one way): 2 miles
One Way Trip Time: 2 hours
Trail Begins: End of Harbor Mountain Road
Trail Ends: Where the trail joins Gavan Hill Trail, at a peak with elevation of 2505 ft. (see map)
Trail Rating: Moderate. Some sections are muddy and steep. Bears may be present.
Recommended Season: Spring-Summer-Fall
USGS Maps: Sitka A-4, A-5
Elevation Gain: 500 ft.
Access: Go approximately 4 miles northwest of Sitka along Halibut Point Road and turn right onto Harbor Mtn. Road. (Harbor Mtn. Road is after Shuler Drive) The road winds 5 miles up Harbor Mountain gaining 2000 feet elevation. This is a steep climb with sharp switchbacks. Recreational vehicles and vehicles towing trailers should not attempt the drive.

History: The road was built during World War II to provide access for building a lookout and other military installations at the top of the mountain.

Special Features: This is the only subalpine area in southeastern Alaska that is accessible by road. Wonderful vistas of Sitka Sound, Sitka, Mt. Edgecumbe, and numerous other mountains and islands can be seen from the road and trail. This trail connects with the Gavan Hill Trail, which terminates in Sitka on Baranof Street.

Description: The trail begins at the end of Harbor Mountain Road. The trailhead is marked by a bulletin board and hand railings, and proceeds up the hillside in a series of switchbacks, gaining 300 feet in elevation. At the ridge, a short spur trail leads to the left to an overlook. The main trail turns to the right and follows the ridge toward the summit of a knob where WWII lookout ruins are located. Before reaching the summit, however, the trail turns east and runs along the sidehill of an immense north-facing sub-alpine meadow. The trail then follows along a ridge toward the peaks of Harbor Mountain. The view from this ridge is spectacular—mountains, deep valleys, alpine rock fields and high rocky peaks of Harbor Mountain. The trail then forks off to the right and skirts the hillside. From here, on a clear day the Gavan-Harbor Mountain Hut (shelter) is visible nestled atop the flattened ridge to the east. As the trail levels out, rock cairns (piles) mark the way across a rock slide, linking to a visible gravel trail which leads to the hut and connects with the Gavan Hill Trail.

Harbor Mountain Shelter Trail
Length: (one way) 0.1 mile
One Way Trip Time: 5 minutes
Trail Begins: Harbor Mountain Road, near top
Trail Ends: Harbor Mountain picnic area
Trail Rating: Easy. Short, planked trail.
Recommended Season: All year
USGS Maps: Sitka A-5
Elevation Gain: 50 feet

Access: Go approximately 4 miles northwest of Sitka along Halibut Point Road and turn right onto Harbor Mountain Road. About 4.5 miles up this gravel road is a pull-out parking area on the right, where the trail begins. Harbor-Mountain Road is steep with sharp switchbacks; recreational vehicles and vehicles pulling trailers should not attempt the drive.

History: Harbor Mountain Road was built during World War II to provide access to build a lookout and other military installations at the top of the mountain.

Special Features: This is the only sub-alpine area in southeastern Alaska that is accessible by road. From the short trail and picnic area there are wonderful vistas of Sitka Sound, Sitka, Mt. Edgecumbe, and numerous other mountains and islands. There are five rather secluded picnic sites near the end of the trail, each with a fire grill, picnic table and a beautiful view.

Description: This short planked trail goes northwest from the parking area to covered picnic shelter. The trail crosses a very fragile subalpine meadow and streamlet. Several trails radiate from the shelter and lead to picnic sites.

During the winter the Sitka Snowmobilers Club puts walls on the shelter to create a warming hut, which is open for public use. This entire alpine area is good for cross-country skiing in the winter. Snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles are permitted when there is a foot or more of snow protecting the vegetation and ground surface.

Indian River Trail
Length (one way): 5.5 miles
One Way Trip Time: 4 hours
Trail Begins: Pumphouse and dam at end of Indian River Road
Trail Ends: Base of Indian River Falls.
Trail Rating: Easy. Climbs gradually. Easy to find, clear, in good condition. Some muddy spots. Bears may be present.
Recommended Season: All year
USGS Maps: Sitka A-4
Elevation Gain: 700 feet

Access: The trailhead is within walking distance of downtown Sitka. Follow Sawmill Creek Road a short distance to Indian River Road (unmarked). This is the next road east of the Troopers Academy driveway. Cars can be parked by the side of the road outside the gate. No vehicles ate allowed past this point. Walk around the gate and follow the road east about a half mile to its end at the pumphouse. The Indian River Trailhead is just west of the pumphouse.

Special Features: Vistas of the Sisters Mountains. This is a relaxing walk through northwest coast rain forest. (Old growth Sitka spruce, western hemlock and yellow cedar).

Description: The trail essentially follows Indian River up a wide valley. It meanders through the forests across gentle terrain. About a half mile from the trailhead it skirts a muskeg. The views of the surrounding mountains from this muskeg are magnificent. Along the trail there are numerous places well suited to picnics. Birds and animals are common in the forest and along the river. Deer are sighted frequently, and often one can find bear pawprints in the trail. The trail ends at the base of a waterfall toward the head of the valley. The elevation gain of 700 feet is very gradual, making this an easy trail.

Mount Verstovia Trail
Length (one way): 2.5 miles
One Way Trip Time: 3 hours
Trail Begins: 2 miles east of Sitka on Sawmill Creek Road
Trail Ends: Summit of Mt. Verstovia. (See below for names.)
Trail Rating: Difficult. Steep trail with many switchbacks. Tread in poor condition. Wet and muddy. Difficult to find trailhead due to brush. Cleared, brushed, 1981. Bears may be present.
Recommended Season: Spring-Summer-Fall
USGS Maps: Sitka A-4
Elevation Gain: 2550 ft. to Verstovia 3300 ft. to Arrowhead.

Access: Two miles east of Sitka along Sawmill Creek Road, near the sports bar "Rookies."

History: The lower hill slope was logged by the Russians in 1860. Russian charcoal pits are still somewhat visible about a quarter mile up the trail. The trail was first built in the 1930's for recreational purposes of local residents.

Special Features: The view from Verstovia is spectacular. The trail ends in sub-alpine meadows.

Description: The trailhead is on the west side of Rookies sports bar, and is quite brushy. The first short segment of trail runs through thickets of alder and salmonberry; soon thereafter it enters the western hemlock-spruce forest where it remains until breaking over the ridge on the west shoulder of Verstovia.

About a third of a mile along the trail, a series of switchbacks begin up the southwest side of the mountain. Because the trail is not well maintained, it is possible to lose the switchbacks if you aren't careful. There are a couple of nice viewpoints in forest openings along this part of the trail. At about 2000 feet the trail reaches a gentle ridge and generally follows it east up to the summit of Verstovia (2550 feet).

The vegetation change between the 2000 foot level and summit is dramatic. One moves from An open forest dominated by mountain hemlock into brushy meadows, across snowfields, through grassy sub-alpine meadows and finally into a rocky alpine area with stunted, twisted plants.

Arrowhead Peak can be climbed by heading northeast along the rocky alpine ridge connecting Verstovia and Arrowhead. It takes about an hour to reach and climb Arrowhead from Verstovia. The last part of this climb is quite steep and exposed; only for the sure-footed climber.

Special Note: The peak names, Arrowhead and Verstovia used here follow local usage that does not correspond to the topographic map Sitka A-4. Local name Verstovia is the same as peak 2550 on the USGS map. Local name Arrowhead is the same as Verstovia on the USGS map.