Get ready for a stunning 4-mile roundtrip hike! This small group tour of 7 guests or less provides the perfect opportunity to connect with the beautiful Southeast Alaskan wilderness.
To begin your journey, you'll hike on an improved gravel trail alongside a picturesque subalpine lake. Be sure to have your camera ready for potential photo ops!
Be prepared for a bit more rugged conditions as you ascend higher. The trail's tread is more natural, mixed with gravel and interspersed with large rocks and roots. Many of the old-growth forests surrounding Ketchikan have been allowed to remain undeveloped, allowing for a peaceful experience with nature on this tour.
You will want to ask your passionate local guide about how we can preserve Alaska's forests, which are incredibly important to our local ecosystems. Your guide can also teach you about practicing mindfulness in your day-to-day life, drawing inspiration from the beauty surrounding you.
You'll come to an avalanche chute, which is a large crevice running down the mountain created by huge masses of snow, ice, and rock tumbling downward. This spot provides an excellent view of the top of the mountain.
After stopping to take in the view, you'll enjoy the second half of your hike back down to the parking lot. Get away from the crowds and treat yourself to some quiet tranquility with this tour!
This tour can be made private for small groups of 1-5 people. If you would like a private tour for your small group, please select the appropriate "Private Group" pricing option.
Note: For a longer version of this hike, please check out the
Ketchikan Mountain Lake Trek Extended Tour.
Duration: 3 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal
- Bottled water
- Trekking poles, backpacks, and rain ponchos if needed
Requirements:
- Minimum age of 5. Children under 8 must have their own car seat.
- Maximum guest weight is 240 lbs to account for the SUV's maximum payload of 1300 lbs.
- Signed liability waiver
- Guests must be comfortable hiking for 2-3 hours over uneven terrain, gaining 1100 feet of elevation. This tour is not suitable for guests with major health issues or injuries.
- Face masks to protect against COVID-19 are required during vehicle transportation. One will be provided if necessary.
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- If guests refuse to wear a mask during transportation, they will not be allowed on the tour and no refund will be granted.
- Leave no trace: no littering or items left behind.
- No tobacco, drugs, or alcohol.
Duration: 3 hours. Tour times below are approximate:
- 15 minutes - drive to the trailhead from meeting location
- 1 hour 15 minutes - hike 2 miles up to avalanche chute
- 15 minutes - enjoy the views!
- 1 hour - hike 2 miles down to parking lot
- 15 minutes - drive back to the cruise terminal where you'll be dropped off
Meeting Instructions:
- This tour meets on the cruise ship dock - Berth 3. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.
ADA Accessibility of Tour:
- This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible.
Does this hiking tour include transportation?
Yes. As part of your tour package, transportation is included from the cruise ship Berth 3 dock to the trail head and back. If you are arriving by Alaska state ferry or by plane, please leave us a comment at the end of the booking process for special pick-up arrangements depending on where you will be staying.
Will the tour be canceled due to rain?
No. Because the tour takes place in an Alaskan temperate rain forest, rain is likely and can be a beautiful part of the experience.
What is provided on the tour?
If needed, backpacks and trekking poles are available to use, depending on availability - ponchos for those without raingear, bottled water, and one pair of binoculars to share.
Can I book a tour with you on one of the many other trails in the Ketchikan area, such as Deer or Dude Mountain?
Unfortunately no. There are a limited amount of trails that guides are allowed to commercially guide on in the Ketchikan area. Deer Mountain and Dude Mountain are regulated by the Tongass National Forest; and commercially guided hikes on these trails are not allowed.
Where do we meet the guide for our tour?
If arriving on a cruise ship, you will meet your guide at the cruise terminal's Berth 3. Please note the listed tour time is the time of the tour’s departure. Further instructions are included in your ticket voucher.
Will I see any wildlife on this tour?
This trail is not high-traffic for wildlife, so large animals are not often spotted. We have seen a deer on the trail once, and occasionally black bear scat can be found. In late summer, mountain goats are sometimes spotted on the ridges above us. Ravens, eagles, and loons are more common sights. This is not a designated wildlife tour.
Is this tour ADA accessible?
This tour is not ADA accessible. Wheelchairs, walkers, or motorized scooters can not be accommodated.
Can I bring a backpack?
Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.
Are food and drink included?
Bottled water is included.
Not seeing answers to your questions?
Check out other frequently asked questions here!
Customer Reviews
Aug 2023 - Shai S.
Great trip and excursion. Very personal attention- very glad we did it
Jun 2023 - Emily B.
This was a beautiful hike and Teague was a great guide! The views were absolutely breathtaking and it was challenging but totally doable. I very much appreciated using Teague's trekking poles and the mint tea he offered at the top!
May 2023 - Keaton S.
Amazing Hike! Our tour guide was fantastic! The trail is separate from where the cruise lines take people. We did not see anyone else on this trail other than our group. Very peaceful with an overload of beauty.
