Tongass National Forest

Harbor Mountain Recreation Area

Harbor Mountain World War II History

• A Secret on the Mountain - Harbor Mountain's
  WWII History (PDF 691KB)
• Sitka World War II History - Harbor Mountain

Summer Season:

• Summer map of Harbor Mountain
• Summer recreation opportunities
• Check the Forest Service Pre-recorded Information Line (907) 747-6685 for updates on passenger vehicle access to the mountain top.
• Day Use Area - camping prohibited.
• Picnic Area at top - picnic shelter with two pedestal grills; 4 smaller picnic sites; charcoal use or pack in own wood for use in grills; wood pallets prohibited. Fires in designated grills only.
• Trail head for the Harbor Mountain Ridge Trail - begins at the end of the road.
• Pack In Pack Out Policy

Winter Season:

• Winter Map and Travel Management Area
• Winter OHV use on the road beyond Gate Zero and off road above Gate 3 when Posted
• Four road gates (refer to map link above) manage the winter
  • Gate Zero at Milepost 1 at the water tower area;
  • Gate 1 at Milepost 1.8;
  • Gate 2 at Milepost 2.7 and
  • Gate 3 at Milepost 3.6.
• When snowing or snow is in the forecast, any of the gates can open/close without advance warning. Parking vehicles below Gate Zero is advised for the winter.
• Snowmobile Registration

Snow Patrol

Snow patrols are conducted as necessary to monitor off-road snow conditions. Weather forecasts are monitored a week in advance. Patrol dates are strategically selected based on weather and the date and conditions of the last snow patrol. Each patrol involves 1-2 persons and is done during daylight hours involving most of a day. Once at the top all snow monitoring is done via skis or snowshoes to access several GPS snow monitoring points located throughout the mountain top. Monitors are looking for frozen ground, depth of frozen snow base and depth of loose powder snow. Photos of the snow monitoring points and surrounding landscape are taken in addition to measurements at each location. The decision to open or keep the top closed to off-road motorized vehicles occurs on the same or day after a patrol.

• April 11, 2010 patrol photos

Where to locate current access conditions:

• Forest Service Pre-recorded Information line (907) 747-6685 anytime.
• Harbor Mt Recreation Area manager at (907) 747-4216 weekdays.
• Harbor Mt Winter snow patrol leader at (907) 747-4280

Potential for resource damage.

• Two areas on Harbor Mountain are a concern: Snowman and areas around and accessing the Picnic Shelter. These two areas are most vulnerable for resource damage because they are high, wind swept areas with full winter sun exposure. Times to avoid them are; 1) at the beginning and end of the winter season and 2) during a winter where there is alternating snow/cold temps and melting.
• When grass or short vegetation is showing through the snow or tires churn up dirt or vegetation is cut down by an over the snow machine or vegetation has to be cut to allow an over the snow machine to pass through at area, resource damage is the result.

Responsibilities of winter recreationists:

• Mutual respect for other users.
• Build campfires in picnic area firerings or on snow over a known gravel base i.e. a parking lot or the road. Use commercially purchased compressed logs. Cutting trees or wood is prohibited on Harbor Mountain.
• Practice "Leave No Trace" principles. Carry a trash bag to pack out all your trash and any other trash you may happen upon.

Where to find updated information on Harbor Mt:

• Onsite at the Information Board located at Milepost One where the new bypass road narrows and aligns with Harbor Mountain Road
• Forest Service Pre-recorded Information Line 747-6685.
• Harbor Mt Recreation Area manager 747-4216.

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest Accessibility Statement
Last Modified: September 09, 2011