The Tongass National Forest covers 17 million acres and includes islands, mountains, glaciers, ice fields, fjords, waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife. Included in the forest is Prince of Wales Island, one of the largest islands in the US. On the island is El Capitan cave, with a network of passages. Tours of the cave are offered by the Forest Service during the summer months.
The Forest Service also provides rental cabins, most of which are accessible only by air.
Address: Tongass National Forest, 648 Mission Street Federal Building, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591, United States
Phone: 1 (907) 225-3101, Fax: 1 (907) 228-6215
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass
The Inside Passage in southeast Alaska offers incredible scenery of glaciers, mountains, and ocean, and is home to an abundance of wildlife. This area is also inhabited by the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Indians.
The most popular way to visit the area is to cruise through the fiords on cruiseships, charter boats, and private yachts, or to stop off the highway at Haines, Skagway, or Hyder.
Hubbard Glacier is 76 miles long, 6 miles wide and 300 feet deep, making it the largest in North America. It is known as a fast flowing glacier and as "Galloping Glacier".
In 1986, Hubbard Glacier temporarily closed the connection between Russell Fiord and Disenchantment Bay. In 2002, this happened again and scientists predict this will happen in the future!
Clausen Memorial Museum provides information and displays on commercial fishing and canning, the Tlingit people, and other miscellaneous items related to the history of the area.
A 126 lb king salmon is on display along with a Tlingit dugout canoe, tools and artifacts. Furniture, clothing, photographs, business and personal items from local residents are also exhibited at the Clausen Memorial Museum to present home and community life.
Address: Clausen Memorial Museum, Box 708, Petersburg, AK 99833, United States
Phone: 1 (907) 772-3598, Fax: 1 (907) 772-2698
http://www.clausenmuseum.net
Hours:
May 1 to September 4: 10am-5pm; Closed: Sun
September 5 to December 23: 10am-2pm; Closed: Sun, Sun, Mon
Tips: Visits in winter by appointment only.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Wrangell Museum houses a variety of cultural and natural historical items. Displays include minerals, petroglyphs, baskets, carved items, photos, fishing, trapping and forestry equipment, Chinese and Japanese collections, and other miscellaneous items.
The Wrangell-St Elias National Park is the largest and most magnificent of the National Parks of Alaska, with nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. This grandiose mountain region on the frontier with Canada contains numerous glaciers, lakes and mountain streams and is home to a rich variety of wild life. It is superb country for climbers, walkers and water sports enthusiasts.
Address: Wrangell-St Elias National Park, 106.8 Old Richardson Highway, Copper Center, AK 99573, United States
Phone: 1 (907) 822-5234, Fax: 1 (907) 822-7216
http://www.nps.gov/wrst/
Tips: The primary season for visiting Wrangell-St. Elias is early June through mid-September. Winter arrives early to interior Alaska and by September 15th, available services and facilities are few.
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Kennicott River, McCarthy.
Aurora borealis in the skies over Copper Center.
Tour boat off the Hubbard Glacier.
North Nordic Drive in Petersburg at night.
Cruise ships coming into dock at Skagway.
