Page 141 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska
P. 141
SOUTHEAST ALASK A 139
the muskeg to access some
picnic spots and the salmon
run at Blind River Rapids.
Wintering trumpeter swans
can be seen from midOctober
to December at the Swan
Observatory at Mile 16. Not
far ahead, at Mile 18, the
Crystal Lake Hatchery and
Blind Slough Recreation
Area offer scenic picnic sites.
The beautiful Man Made
Hole at Mile 20 was once a
quarry that has filled with
water to form a lake. A gentle Mud flats and forests on Admiralty Island
trail winds around its perime ter
on boardwalks and gravel. Mercantile, launched in 1899, Tongass National Forest, almost
At Mile 22, the pretty Ohmer still runs as a general store. 98 percent of this lush rainforest
Creek Campground offers Today, the picturesque village is a designated wil derness area.
visitors free camping at the stretches along a single street, The main site of interest for
island’s only public campsite. which is limited to pedestrian wildlife enthusiasts is Pack
traffic. The nearby Native village Creek in the Stan Price State
of Hoonah, accessible by ferry, Wildlife Sanctuary at the island’s
0 Sitka has the Icy Strait Point zipline, northeast corner. This area is
over 1 mile (1.6 km) long, which home to the world’s densest
See pp140–41.
is a popular attraction on some population of brown bears. Sitka
cruise ship routes. blacktailed deer can be seen
along the shore, and Mitchell,
w Admiralty Island Hood, Chaik, and Whitewater
Bays contain porpoises, seals,
National and sea lions. Summer access
Monument to the tidal estuary and bear
viewing tower is by permit only;
43 miles (70 km) NE of Sitka. permits can be booked online
Transport map F5. ~ charter float at www.recreation.gov.
plane from Juneau. g Sitka–Angoon; The sole settlement on
tour boat Juneau–Pack Creek. n 586 the island is Angoon, a small
8800. & 8 Permits required
to visit Pack Creek Jun–midSep. Native village accessible via the
Marine Highway. Kayakers and
Brightly painted houses at Tenakee Springs Called Kootznoowoo (meaning canoeists will enjoy the Cross-
flanking the calm inlet “Fortress of Bears”) by the Island Canoe Route, which
Tlingit people, Admiralty connects Angoon with Mole
q Tenakee Springs Island National Monument Harbor, on the island’s eastern
48 miles (78 km) N of Sitka. Transport sprawls across 1,492 sq miles shore, by a series of lakes,
map E5. * 130. g Sitka–Juneau. (3,865 sq km). Lying within the streams, and portages.
n 7362207. Bathhouse: at ferry dock.
Open men: 2–6pm & 10pm–9am Little Norway
daily; women: 9am–2pm & 6–10pm
daily. ∑ tenakeespringsak.com Peter Buschmann’s success in
Petersburg inspired many of his
Situated on the eastern shores coun trymen to follow him to Alaska
of Chichagof Island, the vil lage in search of fjords, fishing, and
of Tenakee Springs takes its opportu nity. Nicknamed Little
name from the Tlingit Tinaghu, Norway, the town reflects its
meaning “Copper Shield Bay,” Norwegian heritage in the decorative
after three prized cop per shields details on buildings and the
that were lost in a storm in souvenirs on offer. On the week end
Tenakee Inlet. nearest Norwegian Independence
Day on May 17, the town celebrates
Historically, the town’s main the Little Norway Festival (see p46)
attraction was the 42° C (108° F) with a Norwegian feast and bunad
hot spring, which made the (traditional dress) fashion show. The Valhalla leads a parade of
area bearable in all seasons. In revelers clad in Norwegian flags and Viking attire. Even if it rains
1895, a Bathhouse was built to – and it usually does – a good time is had by all.
enclose the spring, and Snyder’s
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