Tongass National Forest

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Trails on Mitkof Island and Mainland Near Petersburg

Blind River Rapids (Mitkof)
Ideal Cove (Mitkof)
Ohmer Creek (Mitkof)
Raven (Mitkof)
Three Lakes (Mitkof)
Twin Ridge Ski Trail (Mitkof)
Upper Twin Ski Trail (Mitkof)
Cascade Creek (Mainland)
Spurt Lake (Mainland)

Blind River Rapids Trail (#454)

This short boardwalk trail leads to one of the most popular fishing spots in all of Southeast Alaska.

Length (one way): 0.25 mile

Rating: Easiest

USGS Map: Petersburg C-3

Access:
The Blind River Rapids trailhead is 15 miles south of Petersburg on the Mitkof Highway.

Description:
The boardwalk begins at a paved parking area just off the highway and stretches through muskeg to the rapids of Blind Slough. At the end of the trail, a small day-use shelter sits just above the high tide level of the slough. There is a barrier-free outhouse in the corner of the parking area.

Attractions:
Blind River Rapids has long been the most popular place on Mitkof Island to watch and fish for king and silver salmon during their migrations. King salmon return to the river in June and July, and silver salmon return in September. Steelhead also run up the slough in April and May.

History:
Early European explorers thought the slough connected Wrangell Narrows with Sumner Strait and so called it Blind Passage. In 1891, U.S. Navy Commander H. E. Nichols officially named the waterway Blind River. In 1927, the Forest Service built a 5-mile trail along the slough from Blind Point to the city powerhouse then located where Crystal Lake Hatchery is today. City powerhouse employees and anglers used the trail for over 20 years.

The extension of the Mitkof Highway to Blind Slough in 1953 made the slough and powerhouse accessible by road and the trail became obsolete. However, the area remained popular with anglers, hunters, and hikers, so the Forest Service constructed the plank trail from the highway to the rapids in 1965.
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Ideal Cove Trail (#508)

This primitive trail connects the Three Lakes Trail with Ideal Cove.

Length (one way): 1.5 miles

Rating: More Difficult

USGS Maps: Petersburg C-2 and C-3

Access:
The trail begins at the Hill Creek bridge, about half way between the Crane Lake and Hill Lake trailheads on the Three Lakes Trail. From Petersburg, drive south on Mitkof Highway for 20 miles, then turn left onto the Three Lakes Loop Road (#6235). The Three Lakes Trail trailheads are along the Loop Road. (See Three Lakes Trail listing.) You can also reach the trail from saltwater about 0.25 mile north of Ideal Cove in Frederick Sound.

Description:
From the Hill Creek bridge, the trail descends gradually through muskeg and timber to the beach north of Ideal Cove. The trail parallels Hill Creek for most of its length and parts of it are muddy and hard to follow. None of the trail is boardwalk. The beach at the end of the trail offers views of Frederick Sound and the mainland.

History:
Hunters and anglers hiking to the three lakes from Ideal Cove originally referred to them as the Ideal Lakes. In the 1930's, District Ranger J.M. Wyckoff named the lakes after the Sandhill Cranes that frequent the area. The Forest Service built the first trail to access the lakes in 1938. The trail started near Ideal Cove and skirted the northeast shores of the lakes. Later that same year, a crew cleared the original Three Lakes Trail, built the shelter at Shelter Lake, and built docks and rafts at Hill, Shelter, and Sand Lakes. The Forest Service maintained this trail until the early 1970's when logging road #6235 was built. The new road made access to the three lakes area by automobile possible and the Ideal Cove Trail fell out of use. Today the Forest Service maintains the trail at a primitive level for more ambitious hikers.
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Ohmer Creek Trail (#603)

Located next to Ohmer Creek Campground, this trail follows Ohmer Creek through mature temperate rainforest, muskeg, and over a beaver pond. The first section is barrier-free and has interpretive signs. The second section of the trail provides anglers with access to Ohmer Creek and adjacent beaver ponds.

Length (one way): 1 mile

Rating: First 0.25 mile is Easiest (barrier-free); remaining 0.75 mile is More Difficult

USGS Map: Petersburg C-3

Access:
Both the campground and the trail at Ohmer Creek are 22 miles from Petersburg on the Mitkof Highway. The highway is paved for 17 miles, then gravel, in good condition, for the remaining 5 miles.

Description:
The barrier-free part of the trail begins at a small parking area off the Mitkof Highway. It follows the creek, crosses Woodpecker Cove Road (#6280) near its junction with the highway, and ends at the boardwalk of the next section. This segment of the trail is wide with a mostly flat, gravel surface, and ends at a barrier-free fishing platform and bench.

The second segment of the trail begins as boardwalk from the end of the gravel and leads through spruce and hemlock forest to a floating bridge over a beaver pond. From the pond, the trail continues through muskeg and timber and ends at the bridge on the Snake Ridge Road (#6246). About half of the trail is boardwalk and other sections are muddy and uneven. Two spur trails lead from the main trail to fishing areas on Ohmer Creek.

From the trailhead at the Snake Ridge Road, turn left and follow the road to its junction with the Woodpecker Cove Road. Turn left again onto the Woodpecker Cove Road and follow it back to the Mitkof Highway.

Attractions:
Ohmer Creek offers fair to good trout and salmon (pink and coho) fishing in late summer and fall. King Salmon return to the creek in June and July.
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Raven Trail (#607)

This trail climbs the ridge behind the Petersburg airport to the Ravens Roost Cabin and offers outstanding views of Petersburg, Frederick Sound, and the mainland. The area is also popular for telemark and cross-country skiing in winter.

Length (one way): 4 miles

Rating: More Difficult

USGS Map: Petersburg D-3

Access:
The trail begins near the water tower on the south side of the airport. Walk or drive Haugen Drive or Sandy Beach Road to the turnoff between the airport and Tent City. Watch for trail signs that lead uphill toward the water tower. You can also reach the Raven Trail by hiking or skiing 4.9 miles up the Twin Ridge Ski Trail from the Twin Creek Road. (See Twin Ridge Ski Trail listing.)

Description:
Only parts of the Raven Trail are boardwalk; other segments are often very muddy and slippery. Rubber boots are recommended. The route is marked with blue diamond trail markers. The trail begins as boardwalk through a
muskeg, but soon moves into timber. It continues through muskeg and timber to an overlook about 1 mile from the trailhead. A short spur trail leads to an open muskeg and views of Frederick Sound and the mainland. From the overlook, the trail climbs steadily through mature spruce and hemlock forest for about 2 miles, then moves into subalpine muskeg and meadows. The trail ends at the Ravens Roost Recreation Cabin.

Attractions/Notes:
The trail offers spectacular views of both the Wrangell Narrows and the mainland. This is also one of the few winter use trails on the Petersburg Ranger District because of its access to telemark and cross-country skiing runs. The open muskegs around the cabin provide excellent skiing, especially for the beginner, from November to
April. Many people enjoy flying to the cabin in a helicopter and skiing down. Contact the Petersburg Ranger District for Ravens Roost Cabin information and cabin permit applications.
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Three Lakes Trail (#600)

Try this boardwalk trail for a beautiful hike through the Three Lakes Recreation Area.

Combined Length (one way): 4.5 miles

Rating: Easiest

USGS Map: Petersburg D-3

Access:
Drive south from Petersburg on the Mitkof Highway. The Three Lakes Loop Road (#6235) meets the highway at both 10 miles and 20 miles from Petersburg. The three trailheads are about 15 miles from the north end of the Loop Road and 6 miles from the south end. You can also reach the trail by hiking the Ideal Cove Trail from Frederick Sound. (See Ideal Cove Trail listing.)

Description/Attractions:
You can begin hiking at any of the three trailheads. The trail makes a figure-eight with Sand Lake Trailhead to the north, Hill Lake Trailhead in the middle, and Crane Lake Trailhead to the south. Parking space is available at each trailhead. The entire trail is boardwalk and is mostly flat with a few short, steep sections. The trail wanders through muskeg and timber, crosses creeks and drainages, and passes four lakes.

Each of the lakes has a picnic table and fire ring, and all except Shelter Lake have a small rowboat. A 1930's three-sided Adirondack shelter sits on the shore of Shelter Lake, about midway between Sand Lake and Hill Lake. Beaver, bear, deer, and eagles inhabit the area, and Sandhill Cranes visit often. Wildflowers and berries abound along most of the trail and all four lakes offer trout fishing.

History:
Hunters and anglers hiking to the three lakes from Ideal Cove originally referred to them as the Ideal Lakes. In the 1930's, District Ranger J.M. Wyckoff named the lakes after the Sandhill Cranes that frequent the area. The Forest Service built the first trail to the lakes from Ideal Cove in 1938.

The Three Lakes Loop Road, built in the early 1970's, provided access to the lakes from Mitkof Highway and the Ideal Cove Trail fell out of use. A Youth Conservation Corps crew constructed the three trails from the Loop Road
to Sand, Hill, and Crane Lakes shortly after the road was completed in 1973. Between 1981 and 1990, Forest Service and Southeast Alaska Guidance Association youth crews added to the trail system at different locations, extending and reconstructing the original trails. Then, in 1991, the Petersburg Ranger District Trail Crew completed the construction that linked the entire back portion of the trail from Sand Lake to Crane Lake.
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Twin Ridge Ski Trail (#606)

The Twin Creek Road area is popular for a variety of winter activities including snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and sledding. This trail connects the Twin Creek Road and the Ravens Roost Cabin and provides intermediate and advanced cross-country skiing during the winter and sub-alpine hiking in the summer. The Twin Creek Road is NOT maintained for winter vehicle travel.

Length (one way): 4.9 miles

Rating: More Difficult

USGS Maps: Petersburg C-3 and D-3

Access:
The Twin Creek Road begins 7.5 miles south of Petersburg on the Mitkof Highway. The Twin Ridge Ski Trail trailhead is 3.4 miles up the road from the Mitkof Highway. The Twin Creek Road is very steep and narrow. When
there is snow on the road it is best to park your vehicle at the turnoff from Mitkof Highway and ski or snowmobile from there. You can also reach the Twin Ridge Ski Trail by hiking 4 miles up the Raven Trail to the Ravens Roost Cabin. (See Raven Trail listing.)

Description:
Blue diamond trail markers mark the trail, but may be covered by blowing snow in winter. The trail departs from the north side of the road in a small muskeg clearing and winds steadily uphill through timber and muskeg. A short detour approximately 1 mile from the trailhead leads to scenic views of the mainland and Frederick Sound. From there, the trail leaves the open muskeg and for the next 2 miles follows the top of the ridge. At about the 3-mile point, the trail turns west (left) and switchbacks down through an open brush field and an old growth stand of spruce and hemlock. The trail then follows a flat ridge top down through rolling muskeg to the Ravens Roost Cabin.

Attractions/Notes:
You will usually find good skiing conditions from November to April. The section of trail near the cabin requires intermediate skiing skills; the section near the road requires advanced skiing skills or snowshoes to traverse the steeper slopes. The open muskegs around the cabin provide excellent skiing, especially for the beginner. Many people enjoy flying to the cabin in a helicopter and skiing down the Twin Ridge Trail. The Forest Service maintains a three-sided winter shelter approximately 3 miles up the Twin Creek Road from the highway. The shelter serves as a warming hut for skiers and snowmobilers.

The trail offers spectacular views of both Frederick Sound and the mainland. Moose, deer, and black bear frequent the area. Contact the Petersburg Ranger District for Ravens Roost Cabin information and cabin permit applications.
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Upper Twin Ski Trail (#605)

The Twin Creek Road area is popular for a variety of winter activities including snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and sledding. The Upper Twin Ski Trail makes a loop that provides intermediate cross-country skiing opportunities in the winter. The Twin Creek Road is NOT maintained for winter vehicle travel.

Length (one way): 3.2 miles

Rating: More Difficult

USGS Maps: Petersburg C-3

Access:
The Twin Creek Road begins 7.5 miles south of Petersburg on the Mitkof Highway. The first Upper Twin Ski Trail trailhead is 3.3 miles up the road from the Mitkof Highway. The Twin Creek Road is very steep and narrow. When there is snow on the road it is best to park your vehicle at the turnoff from Mitkof Highway and ski or snowmobile from there.

Description:
The Upper Twin Ski Trail is a loop that meets the road at both the 3.3-mile and 4-mile points. Travel can begin at either point, but many skiers find it easier to start from the 3.3-mile trailhead at the winter shelter. Blue diamonds mark the trail but may be difficult to find in winter if snow is blowing.

The trail takes off from the eastern (4-mile) trailhead through muskeg then crosses a small bridge 0.25 mile from the road. From the bridge, the trail climbs through open muskeg and circles the ridge you see from the road. From the small lake near the summit of the ridge the trail descends gradually to a steep slope. The terrain on the hill is open, old-growth timber and you can ski a switchback pattern to avoid skiing straight down the steepest slopes. The trail then crosses a large, flat muskeg on its way back to the road.

Attractions/Notes:
You will usually find good skiing conditions from November to April. The entire length of the trail is suitable for intermediate-level skiers who are in good physical condition although it will be challenging. Beginning and intermediate skiers can enjoy a shorter, easier route by starting from either trailhead and skiing around the perimeter of the large muskeg visible from the road. The Forest Service maintains a three-sided winter shelter 3.3 miles up the Twin Creek Road from the highway. The shelter serves as a warming hut for skiers and snowmobilers.

The trail offers beautiful views of both the Wrangell Narrows and the mainland. Moose, deer, and black bear frequent the area.
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Cascade Creek Trail (#458)

This popular trail follows Cascade Creek upstream through cathedral-like timber from the Cascade Creek Cabin to Falls Lake first, then on to the west end of Swan Lake.

Length (one way): 4 miles

Rating: First 0.5 mile is Easiest; remainder is More Difficult and Most Difficult

USGS Map: Sumdum A-3 and Petersburg D-3

Access:
The Cascade Creek Trail is accessible from three trailheads; by boat or floatplane to the Cascade Creek Cabin trailhead; by boat or floatplane to tidewater trailhead near the mouth of Cascade Creek; and by floatplane to the trailhead at the west end of Swan Lake or skiff from the Swan Lake Cabin. All three trailheads are marked. Cascade Creek and the cabin are about 16 air miles northeast of Petersburg in Thomas Bay.

Description:
The trail leaves the Cascade Creek Cabin through spruce and hemlock forest, then follows the shoreline to the tidewater trailhead about 0.25 mile from the cabin. From the beach, the trail follows Cascade Creek for 0.25 mile to the lower falls. This part of the trail is boardwalk and provides excellent views of the lower falls. The trail continues up Cascade Creek from the lower falls, but becomes steeper and more difficult. A bridge spans the creek about 0.25 mile from the lower falls and the trail continues upward along the opposite side of the creek. The trail becomes still more challenging after the bridge as it ascends rapidly.

About 2.5 miles from the cabin trailhead you will reach a junction in the trail. The spur trail to the right goes to the lower (west) end of Falls Lake. You can row the boat provided to the upper (east) end of the lake where another spur trail leads to the Falls Lake Shelter and back to the Cascade Creek Trail. From the 2.5-mile junction, the main trail continues around Falls Lake to a high muskeg with spectacular views of Petersburg and Frederick Sound. This section of the trail is minimally developed and very challenging. About 0.5 mile from the first junction is the second Falls Lake junction. The spur to the right leads 0.25 mile to the Falls Lake Shelter, then another 0.25 mile to Falls Lake. The main trail continues to the left of the junction. It crosses a small lake providing views of cliffs and waterfalls, then follows Cascade Creek for 1 mile to the trailhead at Swan Lake.

Attractions/Notes:
The trail offers beautiful views of the creek as it falls through the canyon. Both Falls Lake and Swan Lake offer excellent rainbow trout fishing. The three-sided Adirondack shelter at Falls Lake is for overnight use for no fee. Contact the Petersburg Ranger District for Cascade Creek and Swan Lake Cabin information and cabin permit applications.

History:
In 1933, Harry Colp, Fred Magill, and Fred Porter, long-time residents of Petersburg, travelled up Cascade Creek on a prospecting venture. They followed a trail that led all the way to Falls Lake. Colp later wrote "The Strangest Story Ever Told" about his adventures prospecting in the Thomas Bay area. Throughout the 1940's and 50's, the Forest Service intermittently maintained the little used trail. Crews built a skiff at Falls Lake to cross to the falls where the trail continued to Swan Lake. Between 1990 and 1993, the Petersburg Ranger District Trail Crew reconstructed the entire trail from the Cascade Creek Cabin to Swan Lake.
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Spurt Lake Trail (#457)

This primitive trail provides access to Spurt Lake from Thomas Bay.

Length (one way): 1.5 miles

Rating: More Difficult

USGS Map: Sumdum A-3

Access:
The Spurt Lake Trail begins on the shore of Thomas Bay, about 0.25 mile northeast of the Spurt Cove Cabin. The trailhead is 18 air miles northeast of Petersburg and can be reached by boat or floatplane.

Description/Attractions:
The trailhead is marked with a red and white diamond and the trail itself is marked with blue diamonds. The first half of the trail is through mature forest and follows the base of a vertical rock wall. The second half of the trail travels through semi-open muskeg, finally cresting a ridge and descending to Spurt Lake. Spurt Lake offers fair cutthroat trout fishing. A small boat is provided for visitor use.
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USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Last Modified: April 05, 2006