From Cache

Ketchikan Mountain Lake Trek to Avalanche Chute

5.0
5 reviews

Excursion Overview

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.

Learn from your passionate local guide about the flora and fauna and hear about our complicated logging history and what it means for our future. Learn why we need to protect our endangered old-growth 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.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship terminal
  • Bottled water
  • Trekking poles, backpacks, and rain ponchos if needed

Requirements:

  • Minimum of 2 participants is required for this tour.
  • No minimum age. For children 8-years-old or younger, child car seats are required by law. Please let us know at checkout if you intend to bring a younger child. Currently 2 child car seats are available, rear or front facing. For children under 8, please book a private tour so we can better accommodate their pace.
  • 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.
  • Leave no trace: no littering or items left behind.
  • No tobacco, drugs, or alcohol.

Duration: 3 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal.)

  • 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.

Refund Policy:

  • You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
  • Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

No. Because the tour takes place in an Alaskan temperate rainforest, rain is likely and can be a beautiful part of the experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This tour is not ADA accessible. Wheelchairs, walkers, or motorized scooters can not be accommodated.

Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.

Bottled water is included.

 

Guest Reviews

5.0

5 total

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Carlos B

On Sep 2024

Teague was a great guide - he took us and one other couple on a lovely 2 hour hike in a part of the woods that is only accessible to a limited number of tourists. The rainforest was fascinating - he told us about different kinds of trees and plants, and we even enjoyed some hot tea when we reached our waterfall destination. Highly recommend!

Michelle F

On Jul 2024

We LOVED the hike! Teague was so kind, knowledgeable and professional. On the way up he educated us on all sorts of plants, animals and the rainforest. On the way down he took the time to get to know us and our three kids. They thought that was so cool. It was a great way to be out in nature and enjoy the beauty of Alaska.

Shai S

On Aug 2023

Great trip and excursion. Very personal attention- very glad we did it

Emily B

On Jun 2023

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!

Keaton S

On May 2023

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.

$176.70

Best Price Guarantee!

$176.70

Duration: 3 hours

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 3 hours



Minimum of 2 Required to Book

Adult (18+): $176.70

Child (0-17): $113.80

Flat rate per group size

Private (2 guests): $706.80

Flat rate per group size

Private (3 guests): $1,060.20

Flat rate per group size

Private (4 guests): $1,236.90

Flat rate per group size

Private (5 guests): $1,236.90

Flat rate per group size

Private (6 guests): $1,236.90

From Cache -BTN