About this tour
When Em from our team ran this trek near Ketchikan, we hiked a crisp 4-mile loop through Southeast Alaska's temperate rainforest with just six other people and the tour operator himself. The first mile hugs a forested lake on gravel track, then the trail steepens through old-growth Sitka spruce into rougher terrain — roots, rocks, moss-draped trees — before opening onto an avalanche chute at 1100 feet. You're one of only two groups a day allowed here, which keeps it genuinely quiet. The whole outing takes about 3 hours and sits as a solid mid-level walk for fit hikers keen on rainforest ecology and the region's logging past.
Highlights
- Old-growth Sitka spruce towers — massive, ancient trees frame the entire hike
- Avalanche chute arrival feels earned; barren rocky funnel carved into the slope
- Operator-led storytelling on forestry history and conservation — not canned script
- Lake views on the outbound leg; quiet for photos without crowds
- Mixed terrain keeps you engaged; not a flat forest plod
- Private vehicle with trekking poles and packs sorted if you need them
- Genuinely limited permits mean you're not queuing on the trail
What to expect
The morning starts with a short drive in an air-conditioned van (masks required en route) to the trailhead. The first mile is the easiest stretch—a well-groomed gravel path running alongside the lake with plenty of stops for photos and breathing space. It sets a gentle rhythm and gives your legs a warm-up. The second half shifts noticeably: the track narrows, roots and larger rocks appear, and the gradient kicks up as you climb through the rainforest canopy. It's muddy in wet weather, rooty underfoot, and requires decent footwork—not technical, but you'll feel it. The payoff is the chute itself, a wide open scar on the mountainside where snow slides in winter, now exposing bare rock and grit. Tongass, the operator, shares context throughout about the forest's value and its precarious future. The whole loop takes three hours at a moderate pace with a short rest at the top.
Good to know
This hike genuinely rewards fit walkers with raw rainforest experience and vanishingly low crowds thanks to the permit cap. The operator's knowledge of local ecology and logging history adds real substance; you're not just hiking, you're learning. Trekking poles and backpacks are provided.
This is a proper fitness walk—steep sections and roots underfoot aren't for casual strollers or anyone with cardiovascular concerns. Expect mud and wet vegetation year-round (it rains a lot here); waterproofs are essential. Infants must sit on an adult's lap in the vehicle. There's no onboard toilet or WiFi, which matters for a 3-hour round trip. Summer is best—snow closes the approach in winter. Peak season runs June through September. Wear sturdy hiking boots, bring a rain jacket, and assume 4–5 hours door-to-door including transport. Small groups (max 7) mean you should book ahead, especially mid-season.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.