The Geese Have Returned

Although we have some geese the winter in the Ketchikan area. One of the many things that excites me about spring in SE. Alaska is the return of the thousands of geese that migrate through on their way north. You can sit for hours some days and watch flock after flock flying in their "V" formations over the Tongass Narrows. It's a real thrill to hear them honk, honking from miles away and then to catch site of them off in the distant. The really large flocks can look like a swarm of black dots or the edge of storm clouds rolling in coming right at you. There are many small lakes on the islands that surround Ketchikan, there are over 100 on Revillagigido Island, so we get plenty of visitors who stop for some well deserved rest before continuing their journey north.
When the geese arrive it is also the time that many of the hummingbirds start showing up. Don't know if it's true or not , but I've been told that the hummingbirds exactly hitchhike on the backs of the geese to save their energy on the long flight to SE. Alaska. Anyway, it makes for good conversation.

Till next Time
KtownKing

It Must Be Spring

The Smell of Spring

It must be spring in Ketchikan, because things are being cleaned up, fixed up and made ready for the first of our many visitors we will have this summer. It seems that every shop in the downtown area is busy bringing in they stock and cleaning off the winter dust and dirt. Most of the major projects that have been underway over the winter are coming to an end. The dock work on Berth #1 has really made progress in the last week and should be completed on time. Also, the work on the downtown Waterfront Promenade Walkway is coming along and should be done in a week or so.
One of the many ways we know that spring has sprung is by the skunk cabbage shoots coming up in all the soggy areas around and along the shore of the many creeks and lakes in the area. You can smell them from quite a distant and so do the black bears. When your out in these areas be sure to keep alert, because black bears feast on the tender roots of these plants after coming out of the den. I did see something that kind of threw me off a little while I was on my daily hike.  I saw several salmonberry bushes already had their flowers on them. It must be the fact that we had a fairly mild winter. This just means we'll be having berries soon. Time to brake out the canner and start collecting jars for this years jams and jellies.

Early Flowers Equal Early Berries

I have always looked forward to spring time in Southeast Alaska. It's what sold me on making Ketchikan my home and I've had no regrets at all. Spring time is such a great time here. Everything is being reborn or renewed. The forest is coming to life, you see the new growth on the Sitka Spruce, the new growth tips are made into jam, the cedar trees and all the flowering plants that are a part of the Tongass National Forest. The arrival of the 140 different species of birds that call SE. Alaska home for the summer. I love hearing and seeing the flocks of geese flying over head, because with them come the many beautiful hummingbirds and we have several species of them visit every summer. So, here's to Spring, the coming of warmer weather, sunny skies(fingers crossed),plenty of fresh fish and boat loads of visitors to Ktown. Get yourself out and enjoy the arrival of our Alaska spring.

Till next time,
The K-townKing

50 Years of Serving

                                          50 Years of Serving Alaska

As we start the summer season, the Alaska Marine Highway starts it's 50th year of service. The first commissioned ship in the fleet was the M/V Malaspina, which come out of the yard with a special paint job for the celebration. The Alaska Marine Highway now has a fleet of 11 ships that play a vital role in southeast Alaska, as it is one of the most efficient ways to transport freight, passengers and vehicles in and out of the smaller communities that make up the Inside Passage.

The Alaska Marine Highway(AMH) has a route of 3,500 miles (5,600 km) and runs from Bellingham,Wash. up the Inside Passage to Skagway, Ak. and west out to the  Aleutian Chain. You can also catch the Alaska Marine Highway at its terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada. The ferries serves communities in Southeast Alaska that have no road access, and the vessels transport people, freight, and vehicles. The AMH carries around 350,000 passengers and 100,000 vehicles every year.

The Alaska Marine Highway is a great way to take in all the beauty that the Inside Passage has to offer. All the main vessels have accommodations, but some like to camp out in the solarium and the fresh air. One of the great benefits of traveling on the AMH system is that you are able to get off at any port and explore it for a day or two or until the next vessel calls and takes you on your way to the next stop on your trip.

With the celebration of  the Alaska Marine Highway they are offering some special rates for travel. You can get all the information you will need to plan you trip to Alaska on their web site,  http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/ . So, if you have been wishing and wanting to visit Alaska, this the year to do it. Hope to see you in Ketchikan!

Till Then,

K-townKing

   

Hiking In K-town

3001 Foot Deer Mountain

When most folks think of Alaska, they think "adventure" and there are many adventures to be had in K-town on your visit. So many that you may have a hard time deciding which one's to enjoy. One of these many adventures is hiking. There are several trails within a short drive to explore, from the trails out at Ward Lake and Settlers Cove in the Tongass National Forest to the Beaver Falls and Sylvis Lake trails out on the southend. But the two I'm going to let you in on are less than five minutes from the docks downtown. They are the Deer Mountain Trail and the new Rainbird Trail.

One of my favorite trails is the Deer Mountain Trail. Over the 30 years I've lived in K-town I've hiked this trail dozens of times. The first time in the dark, a story for another time. I simply love it. It's 2.5 miles from the trail head to the summit. The trail head is about 1.5 miles from the docks and is all up hill, duh. I would suggest saving your energy for the trail and take a taxi to the trail head. It's under ten dollars from the docks. 

This is the trail to hike if you want to spend your day enjoying the wonders of an old growth forest, spotting birds and wildlife, great scenery and unbelievable views of Ketchikan, the Tongass Narrows and the surrounding islands. In my younger days I could do it in 1.5 hours(under 50), but the last time it took over 3 hours of huffin' and puffin' to make it.

Now this is not an easy hike, it's rated difficult, but don't let that stop you. This is because the trail has many steep switchbacks, rocky and uneven surfaces. Like most trails found in southeast Alaska the terrain varies from gravel to wooden stairs and boardwalks, stone steps, small creeks and muskeg. In spots it may be very muddy and may still have snow early in the season. The weather can be another factor, it can change quickly and become quite foggy or rainy. So be sure to dress in layers and don't forget a waterproof jacket.

Rainbird Trailhead

Rainbird Trail start @ ASU Campus

The newest trail in K-town is the Rainbird Trail, ok, it's not really new. But lots of people didn't know about it till the by pass was built. I use this trail for my quick work outs. If you have kids and they need to burn off ship boredom this will do. As in going to Deer Mountain, I suggest taking a taxi to the trail head, it's about 9 dollars and you save your energy for the hike.

The trail is about 1.5 miles long and has been rated as "moderate". The trail head is located at the UAS campus on Jackson St. and runs high above the 3rd Ave by-pass back towards downtown. Even though the trail has been resurfaced in resent years, it is still typical of hiking trails found in southeast Alaska. It starts with a slight incline and is made up of gravel, wooden stair steps, stone steps, tree roots and a small creek or two to cross.

On the trail you will walk through old growth forest with plenty of the local foliage to view along the way including skunk cabbage, salmon berries, blueberries and ferns. There are also plenty of birds. Eagles, ravens, woodpeckers, stellar jays and many more. You may even run into a Sitka blacktail deer or a black bear, you never know.  

Again, it's best to dress in layers and have your jacket handy if it starts to rain. Take along some water and your cell phone if you carry one. There's no need to think about getting lost. If you'll begin you adventure by stopping at the Ketchikan Visitors Information Center, you can pick up a free personal locator beacon. If you do become lost just activate it and it sends a distress signal and GPS location that is picked up by the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad. When you've finished your adventure simply return it to the center.

Well, I wish you good hiking and hope to see ya in K-town some time this summer.

Till Next Time,

K-townKing

PS.  For a great tour when in Ketchikan check out yourktowntour.com

K-town's Totems

Chief Kayan Pole In Whale Park

 Ketchikan is home to a large collection of totem poles both original and replicas. Totems played a very large part in the local Native culture of Southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Ketchikan is fortunate to have three tribes of natives in and around the Ketchikan area. They are, the Tlingit, the Haida and the Tsimshian and each have their own unique styles and technics for their art.

 

There are individual totem poles scattered all around downtown Ketchikan, but there are 3 parks that have great collections of replica totems and the Totem Heritage Center has a display of original totem poles and pieces of poles in their museum. The Heritage Center is in the city and all the totem parks are outside the city.  

There are 2 totem parks located about 10 miles north of K-town. The most popular is an Alaska State Park, Totem Bight State Historical Park. This park was created back in the 1930's and was constructed by the CCC(Civilian Conservation Corps)  boys. They were mostly local Native carvers and craftsmen. The park is a replica of a 18th century Tlingit clan village and consists of a clan house and about a dozen totem poles.
Right next door to Totem Bight is a newer park which is also quite impressive. It's the Potlatch Park and it has a carving shed, where you might catch a master carver working his magic, and Russian Museum. Both of these parks would make a great excursion when you are visiting Ketchikan.

Totem Bight Clan House

The 3rd totem park is located 2 1/2 miles south of K-town and is in the City of Saxman. This park is run by the city and there is a fee to view the park. The park is well cared for and the totems are kept up nicely. There are around 15 poles within the park and they have a small collection of pictographs, which are cool. 

Winter on Totem Row Saxman

So if you have an interest in totem poles and the many tales and stories they tell, be sure to visit one or all 4 of the totem exhibits on your visit to Ketchikan.

Till Next Time,

K-townKing