SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Ride an electric bike inland to Connell Lake while admiring the natural beauty of the surrounding Tongass National Forest. As you will discover during the initial briefing, the electric-enhanced bicycle will boost your pedal power, allowing you to ride farther and negotiate hills with considerably less effort than with a conventional bicycle. It’s only about three miles to the Connell Lake, all of it staggeringly beautiful. Sitka black-tailed deer are commonly seen along this route. The flora is also exceptional, especially the carnivorous sundew plants that consume insects that they trap on their sticky pads. Upon reaching the lake, you will learn how it was created in 1952 by damming several creeks to provide millions of gallons of freshwater to the Ketchikan pulp mill. The dam continues to feed water to different resources throughout the community even after the pulp mill closed more than 25 years ago. Before pedaling back, you can relax around a campfire under a canopy of coniferous trees or walk a short nature trail.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pedal an electric-enhanced bicycle to and from Connell Lake, a roundtrip of about six miles.
• Gain a historical perspective of the manmade lake, which once provided millions of gallons of freshwater needed to operate the Ketchikan pulp mill.
• Learn about the indigenous flora and fauna from the naturalist guide.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

There is no better way to experience Alaska’s rugged terrain than by driving an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) through the forests and mountains on Chichagof Island. Following a short orientation on how best to operate an ATV in the Alaskan wilderness, you will set off on your outdoor adventure. The entire island (America’s fifth largest) lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, which has the distinction of being America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska. In fact, the island has the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

OVERVIEW

Follow a nature trail through Sitka National Historical Park that showcases totem poles just like the ones that were exhibited at the 1904 World’s Fair. Created in 1910 to commemorate the Battle of 1804 between the Tlingits and the Russians, the forested park is Alaska’s oldest and is rich in history. During this self-guided walk, you will learn about the many ecosystems in the surrounding rainforest and the unusual tale of how Alaska’s first governor gathered the original totem poles to promote the state. The indigenous Tlingit people carved and painted the totems, which feature stylized human, animal and supernatural forms that are highly symbolic. Some of the totems honor important people or events, such as the Bicentennial Pole of 1976, which was carved under the direction of the park’s first Native American superintendent. When crossing the bridge over Indian Creek, you will hear about the salmon that spawn there each summer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Meander along an easy trail lined with totem poles in Sitka National Historical Park.
• Gain an understanding of the symbolism and history of the hand-carved totem poles.
• Learn about the park’s creation and the flora and fauna that thrive in the rainforest.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

It is off to the historic and magnificent White Pass Train adventure. From an antique parlor car, enjoy the incredible scenery while your tour guide shares the stories and history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Upon reaching Fraser, British Columbia board your motorcoach and take a short trip to the Yukon Suspension Bridge. Then it’s time to experience the country that you heard about! Breathe pristine air, taste wild berries in season, hear the roar of raging white water and thrill to the sensations of a swaying walkway over 60 feet above the rapids. There are Tagish First Nation Staff and Elders to answer questions about the site. A variety of First Nations art pieces and crafts are available for purchase, as well. After your experience at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, you’ll continue on your motorcoach for the journey down the west side of the White Pass Canyon. Listen as your driver/guide entertains you with stories of the stampeders who trekked through the pass in search of gold. You’ll see picturesque points such as Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls as you head back to your ship.

Spend hours exploring the wilds and roads less traveled on Chichagof Island in a Jeep Wrangler designed for outdoor adventure. You will travel along old logging roads that were built to harvest valuable timber such as hemlock, spruce and cedar trees. The route will cut through some of the most spectacular, undeveloped countryside in Alaska. The fifth largest island in the United States, Chichagof lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a close-up look at orphaned bears that have been rescued and are being rehabilitated so that they can live long, fulfilling lives. The venue for this immersion into the iconic bears of Alaska is the Fortress of the Bear, a rescue center that opened in 2007. Since that time, the center has cared for dozens of young orphaned bears and relocated them into caring environments. Circumstances prevent the bears from being released back into the wild. You can observe the brown and black bears from just 25 feet away, a rare opportunity that will make the experience all the more meaningful. The naturalists will explain how the bears were rescued, their personality traits and their daily routines, one of the highlights being feeding time. Their seasonal diets include everything from fish and fruit to peanut butter and honey. As you will see, the brown bears are noticeably larger than the black bears.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe orphaned brown and black bears in the Fortress of the Bear rehabilitation center.
• Observe orphaned brown and black bears in the Fortress of the Bear rehabilitation center.
• Learn about the bears’ diets, characteristics, personalities and encouraging futures.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle across the placid waters of Mendenhall Lake to Mendenhall Glacier, an ever-changing river of ice that is surprisingly close to Juneau. You will paddle across the water’s surface in a 12-person canoe that will present some of the most extraordinary scenery in Alaska as the Tongass National Forest surrounds the glacially fed lake. You can expect to pass an Arctic tern nesting ground and Nugget Falls, a roaring cascade that plunges nearly 400 feet before tumbling into Mendenhall Lake. Once you round a rocky peninsula, the glacier’s sheer face will come into view, a stunning sight especially if a large block of ice calves off with a thundering crack. The guides will describe some of its features, which include deep crevasses, vertical shafts known as moulins and seracs, which are towering columns of ice.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle past icebergs, waterfalls and arctic tern nesting cliffs.
• Step out of the canoe and hike over the rock terrain carved out by the glacier.
• Get an up close and intimate perspective of the glacier from the edge, all while learning about the recession of the glacier and the wilderness that surrounds it.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the diversity of the southeast Alaska landscape via helicopter as you fly over temperate rainforests and granite peaks that surround Alaska’s capital city. After your flightseeing tour, your pilot will land at our trekking site on the Mendenhall Glacier. Your guide will teach you how to use trekking poles and crampons for balance and traction, enabling you to travel easily on gently rolling glacial terrain. During this non-strenuous, one-hour interpretive walk, your guide will point out and explain the glacier features and allow you ample time for photos.

On this amazing adventure you’ll walk on raised balance beams, cross exciting suspension bridges, and fly through the air on a series of ziplines! Join expert guides for the ride of a lifetime! Your adventure begins with a narrated drive through historic downtown Skagway and up the Klondike Highway. From the highway, a short nature hike brings you to the spectacular Adventure Park where expert guides will outfit you with state of the art safety equipment.

First you’ll enter an incredible series of ropes course crossings including burma loops, suspended bridges and raised balance beams. Next up is a fantastic series of six ziplines through the lush Alaskan canopy. Zoom from platform to platform while your friends and family cheer you on! Your heart will be pumping as you get ready for the “Walk the Plank” zip that soars high above the ground through the treetops! This adventure is perfect for all abilities and everyone will enjoy the amazing mountain views and excitement of effortlessly soaring through the air!

Here’s your opportunity to enjoy the Alaskan adventure of a lifetime by air, water, and ice! The van driver will take you from the pier to a private helicopter base on Douglas Island. At the airport, you’ll be given a pre-flight safety briefing. Aboard the helicopter, you’ll fly high above Juneau, the Tongass National forest, the Juneau Ice Field, Gastineau Channel, and Taku River, all the way to Taku Point. The airboat Captain will help you board the covered airboat as you cruise the 5-mile terminus of the only advancing glacier of the Juneau Ice Field. You’ll come within arm’s reach of the ice, and you’ll understand the immense size of this glacier as you stare up at it from the river. The Captain will stop in various locations for photos, and to talk about the glacier and the river basin that has been carved by nature over the years. Back at Taku Point, you’ll again board the helicopter that will fly to the Taku Glacier for your brief glacier landing. Step out onto the amazing 4,500 foot thick ice. You’ll have time for more photos, and your pilot will give you details about the ice field and Taku Glacier. The helicopter will then return you to the heliport and the van will return you to the pier.

Retrace the historic gold rush route to the Klondike while coasting down from the White Pass Summit on a bicycle! This fun tour starts with a 20 minute van ride to the top of the 3,292 foot pass. Along the way your knowledgeable guides versed in the ecology and history of the area will inform and entertain you. After a bicycle orientation and safety briefing, enjoy the refreshing outdoors and scenic splendor while you cruise downhill on your bicycle for 15 miles on the paved road back to Skagway. Stops are made along the way for photos of waterfalls, the White Pass Yukon Railroad, glaciers, wildlife and the majestic mountains. This exciting excursion offers a unique way to tour Skagway and the surrounding area.

Drive a four-wheel drive automatic Jeep Wrangler along mountainous roads through Tongass National Forest. Befriend your fellow travelers and group into teams of 4 per Jeep. The safari travels from sea level to the sub-alpine region of this unique coastal island. Learn about the area's natural history as you drive abandoned logging roads. Along the way, you’ll make a stop to take advantage of photo opportunities and to rotate drivers so everyone has a turn at the wheel. Your next destination is the secluded mountain lake - Lake Harriet Hunt - where you’ll board a Tlingit-style 37 foot, 20 passenger canoe, much like the Alaska Natives used to travel the coastal waterways. Your safari guide will then lead a brief nature walk through old-growth forest from the remote camp where your cook will prepare an Alaska-style snack.