SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Your journey begins with a narrated tour of downtown Juneau and the city's highlights as you make your way to Mendenhall Valley. The first stop is at the Brotherhood Bridge. Here is where you will be able to take in the amazing views of the Mendenhall Valley. The bridge was and is of great historic and symbolic importance, representing a bridging of the gap between Native and Non-Native people and overcoming racial tensions. The bridge features 10 bronze medallions with the ANB crest and imagery, sculpted by Roy Peratrovich Jr. In honor of the ANB’s 50th anniversary. The crew on the medallions depicts the two great Tlingit moieties, Eagle and Raven. The ANB is the solid rock on which these moieties rest. Afterward your drive takes you to Juneau's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and Visitor Center. There you will learn the value of ocean ranching to Juneau's commercial and sport fishing industries and the hatchery's role in keeping the area salmon population at sustainable levels.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Step back in time with one of the sensational madams of the Red Onion Saloon! Lavishly costumed and highly entertaining, she’ll greet you with a souvenir garter. She’ll guide you through the streets and back alleys of Skagway, where women of the evening brushed shoulders with notorious characters like Soapy Smith and Frank Reid. You’ll pass historic and haunted Gold Rush buildings as you learn of Skagway’s rich history.

Your experience culminates with a stop at the world famous Red Onion Saloon's restored Brothel Museum. Join in a champagne toast and explore the halls and bedrooms of this celebrated brothel with relics and images of the ladies who worked there. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the resident ghost, Lydia!

HIGHLIGHTS

Hike to Talbot Lake following a natural trail through Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in America. Although the hike is only about three miles long roundtrip, the surrounding scenery is wonderfully varied and spectacular. You will walk in the shadow of towering western hemlocks, Sitka spruce and red cedars, all indigenous to the area. The naturalist guide will narrate the hike by describing the native flora and fauna and detailing the history of the area, which was once crucial to the logging industry. In the decades since the last pulp mill closed, the forest has regained its splendor and wildlife has flourished. You may spot eagles, deer, and beavers, which are particularly prevalent along the trail at Talbot Lake. The lake-view setting couldn’t be more serene as you sip hot chocolate while gathered around a campfire. You may see anglers fishing for cutthroat trout, but otherwise you will likely have the woods to yourself.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike three miles roundtrip through Tongass National Forest, America’s largest such landscape.
• Follow the trail to beautiful Talbot Lake and gather around a crackling campfire.
• Learn about the flora, fauna, and local history from the naturalist guide.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.

Your adventure begins with a scenic motorcoach tour to a secluded mountain lake, where you'll board a Tlingit-style 37 foot, 20 passenger canoes which are fast, stable and easy to maneuver. Paddle under the direction of an experienced guide, scan the shore for wildlife and learn the unique natural and native history of the Ketchikan area. The lake, part of a lush rainforest, is ideal for canoeing and is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the United States. Stop ashore for a Alaskan-style snack at a remote camp. Your knowledgeable guide will lead a short nature walk highlighting the flora and fauna of the rainforest. Paddle back to the canoe dock and reboard your motorcoach for your return to the pier.

Feel the adrenaline rush of riding in an actual hovercraft! This 75-minute trip takes you from the bustling dock to a secluded Ketchikan beach and on to hidden coves teeming with native wildlife and spectacular Alaskan scenery. Take your seat among a small group of 12 fellow thrill seekers, settling inside the covered and enclosed cabin of your unique watercraft, which is designed to have minimal impact on this pristine wilderness. Your heart will start pounding faster as you push away from land and start flying across deep-blue Inside Passage waters, speeding along craggy coastlines, lush with tall evergreens. The vessel will then gently drift onto a black-sand beach, and you'll have the chance to hop out and breathe in the fresh air while walking along the shore. Enjoy the serenity that can only be found in this part of the world. Then, get ready for more action as you lift off dry land and glide across the water in search of more wildlife. Breaching whales, splashing harbor seals, and soaring bald eagles are often seen during the trip, so be sure to bring your camera.

Your 4x4 adventure begins in Sitka and takes you to a remote island, where you will ride Polaris Rangers. You’ll enjoy exploring wildflower meadows, beautiful scenery while searching for wildlife such as Alaska Brown Bear and Sitka Black Tail Deer. You’ll be greeted at the tender pier by your van driver who will take you to an aluminum landing craft for a high speed boat ride to Kruzof Island where your 4x4 ride begins. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your guides who will have your 4x4’s warmed up and ready to go. After a quick safety orientation and operating instructions, you’re ready to set off on your adventure.

Your guide leads you along an off highway vehicle trail though muskegs and forest on the way to Iris Meadows estuary where wildlife are frequently seen. Stops will be made along the way for interpretive sessions and photographic opportunities. When you arrive at the estuary you can park the 4x4 to walk around and enjoy the scenery, watch for wildlife and take photes. After a snack, it’s time to ride back and catch the boat back to Sitka.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a brief but scenic drive up the coast to Totem Bight State Historical Park, where you will become immersed in the culture of the Alaskan Natives of Southeast Alaska. Starting in the 1940s, the CCC constructed the park here in the rainforest to accurately present the customs and family life to visitors. As you wander through the park, you will see colorful, hand-carved totem poles and a large clan house similar to ones built in the early 19th century. Your guide will go into detail about the different styles of poles. After walking through the exhibit, you will depart for lake Harriet Hunt. Here, you will board a 37-foot canoe patterned after the ones that the Tlingit and Haida built. The lake provides a beautiful setting for your paddling adventure because the dense forest comes to the edge of the water. In time, you will disembark for an Alaskan-style snack. Then, you will have the opportunity to walk through an old-growth forest while your guide points out the most interesting flora and perhaps fauna. Afterwards, you will return to Ketchikan.

Travel along the incredibly photogenic Klondike Highway to the Canadian border, while pausing along the way to snap pictures of the gorgeous wilderness. The road pretty much follows the trail that prospectors carved out during the Gold Rush of 1898. The countryside is still largely undeveloped, except for a few bridges and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway that parallels the road. Roadside stops will be made to view natural attractions such as ancient glaciers and Pitchfork Falls, a lovely cascade that splits into branches that resemble the tines of a pitchfork. After pausing at the Canadian border at White Pass summit, you will travel back down the Klondike Highway toward Skagway. Commentary will enhance your understanding of the attractions and the area’s history.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Travel a picturesque highway that follows a trail created during the Gold Rush of 1898. • Snap pictures while pausing at scenic lookouts with views of glaciers and waterfalls. • Stop at the summit of White Pass, which marks the U.S. and Canadian border. • Hear enlightening commentary that describes the area’s history and attractions.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress warmly in layered clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Take a van ride to beautiful Clover Pass for a paddle in the Tongass National Forest. You’ll be welcomed and led down to the waterfront facility, introduced to your tandem kayak, and receive a safety briefing. The protected waters of Clover Pass provide you with the opportunity to experience the tranquil setting of the Tongass National Forest. As you paddle, you’ll learn about the natural and cultural history of the area while keeping a keen eye out for bald eagles, their nests, seals, jumping salmon, humpback whales and when the tide is right, star fish.

Capture everything from glaciers to whales on this excursion that features a professional photography guide. Travel with a small intimate group in a media-equipped shuttle bus and aboard a customized safari boat as your guide provides expert interpretation while also sharing tips and techniques to enhance the quality of your images. Enjoy a professional instructional slide show in the vehicle en route to the Mendenhall Glacier. Your guide will lead you to explore the Trail of Time capturing the natural history of the glacier. This short walk takes you through the shelter of the rainforest to photograph the glacier's historical path over time before stopping to shoot the glacier itself. This gentle walk leads to beaver dams, salmon streams and remarkable glacier panoramas — sites to inspire your photography. By sea, board a covered safari vessel for an unforgettable journey through the pristine waterways of Stephens Passage. Large panel windows open to give you unrestricted views, while your Captain safely maneuvers to give you the best angle on the shot. This excursion has never had a trip without a star-studded cast—often including humpback whales, sea lions, orcas, harbor seals, porcupines, eagles, salmon or even black bears. Whale sightings are guaranteed. See more of Alaska’s natural wonders as you strive to capture that magical moment in the medium that’s worth a thousand words.

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.