Cascade Creek & Petersburg
Our weather karma held as we stretched to sunny skies and anticipated another day in the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Our exploration took us to Thomas Bay and more specifically, Cascade Creek, situated at the southern end of Frederick Sound. Truly a feast for all the senses as the roaring sound of the waterfall greeted all the hikers at the beginning of the trailhead and gave everyone a misty facial off the sheer power of water cascading down massive boulders.
I was fortunate to be a long hiker and experience many more treasures that the forest offered up. The forest service does a wonderful job of giving boardwalks and man-made steps at the start as well as deep into our hike, but the squish of soft moss under foot, or scrambling up a 12 foot rock face, is a very satisfying and wonderful way to sense the earth. We also spotted numerous and very fresh moose scat on the trail, and were rewarded on our turnaround with signs of bear scratches on a couple trees and a bit of his fur as well. Shorter hikes spotted a porcupine close to the trailhead on the way back.
The afternoon activities were as numerous and varied as the toppings on our ice-cream sundaes after lunch. Many departed on a short zodiac cruise over to Kempreanof Island for an aerobic hike or an interpretive walk into a beautiful muskeg (Alaskan peat bog), along a boardwalk that helps protect it. Others chose to shop and poke around Petersburg, also known as “little Norway” for its heritage as well as a prosperous fishing town.
Bryan had a great turnout for a walk around the docks exploring the various fishing vessels and talking with a few local fishermen on how well the industry is managed that meets the demands as well as sustainability. Some guests opted for the overview from either a float plane or helicopter ride to Le Conte glacier, with such great visibility that humpback whales and various birds were also part of the visuals.
Indeed a full day of exploring, and taking in the beauty of Southeast Alaska as we head towards Tracy Arm this evening.
Our weather karma held as we stretched to sunny skies and anticipated another day in the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Our exploration took us to Thomas Bay and more specifically, Cascade Creek, situated at the southern end of Frederick Sound. Truly a feast for all the senses as the roaring sound of the waterfall greeted all the hikers at the beginning of the trailhead and gave everyone a misty facial off the sheer power of water cascading down massive boulders.
I was fortunate to be a long hiker and experience many more treasures that the forest offered up. The forest service does a wonderful job of giving boardwalks and man-made steps at the start as well as deep into our hike, but the squish of soft moss under foot, or scrambling up a 12 foot rock face, is a very satisfying and wonderful way to sense the earth. We also spotted numerous and very fresh moose scat on the trail, and were rewarded on our turnaround with signs of bear scratches on a couple trees and a bit of his fur as well. Shorter hikes spotted a porcupine close to the trailhead on the way back.
The afternoon activities were as numerous and varied as the toppings on our ice-cream sundaes after lunch. Many departed on a short zodiac cruise over to Kempreanof Island for an aerobic hike or an interpretive walk into a beautiful muskeg (Alaskan peat bog), along a boardwalk that helps protect it. Others chose to shop and poke around Petersburg, also known as “little Norway” for its heritage as well as a prosperous fishing town.
Bryan had a great turnout for a walk around the docks exploring the various fishing vessels and talking with a few local fishermen on how well the industry is managed that meets the demands as well as sustainability. Some guests opted for the overview from either a float plane or helicopter ride to Le Conte glacier, with such great visibility that humpback whales and various birds were also part of the visuals.
Indeed a full day of exploring, and taking in the beauty of Southeast Alaska as we head towards Tracy Arm this evening.
