|
||||
|
The Tongass is one of only two national forests in the country you can't drive to. (The other one is the Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico, if you want an experience at the other end of the geographic and weather spectrum.) But don't panic. You can still reach it by car if you want; it just takes a little more planning. You can drive to Bellingham, Washington; Prince Rupert, BC Canada; or Hyder,Skagway or Haines, Alaska, and put your vehicle - and yourselves - on the Alaska State ferry for a trip into Southeast Alaska and the Tongass. Known as the Alaska Marine Highway, the ferry system is the only "road" between most of the communities of "Southeast." Be warned, though. Traffic is heavy during the summer months and reservations should be made well in advance. The ferry system is taking reservations for the 2002 summer season now. From the ferry, you'll catch your first glimpse of the Tongass. Much of the land you see along the ferry routes is national forest. The rest belongs to Alaska Native corporations, the State of Alaska, municipalities, or private citizens. You'll find ranger district offices at all the main-line ferry stops and visitor centers in Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Juneau. Forest Service personnel will be glad to answer your questions and help you arrange your visit in the area. You'll also find roads out of most every town. Although they won't take you to any other town (except on Prince of Wales Island), they will let you drive a ways out of town and into the forest. Most are, or lead to, gravel roads that began as logging roads - many of them still are. Be prepared for narrow, twisty, rustic roads without center lines or lane dividers. Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic, deer, bears, porcupines, grouse, and other Alaskans who share your road space. Alaska Airlines provides daily jet service into the major towns of the panhandle (Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, and Juneau). From there charter flights on smaller planes are available to the other towns and to remote cabins and lakes. Getting around in the Tongass is a little more complicated than in most places "south," but with a little forethought, getting there can be half the fun!  Home | Recreation | Alaska Marine Highway Program |
