Snook Posted March 25, 2014 #1 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I don't see any excursions in Ketchikan that I want to take so I would like to just do some hiking. Any suggestions? I see a trailhead called Deer Mountain on Google maps. Is that too far from the ship dock? Is it worthwhile? We'll be there in May. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted March 25, 2014 #2 Share Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) I don't see any excursions in Ketchikan that I want to take so I would like to just do some hiking. Any suggestions? I see a trailhead called Deer Mountain on Google maps. Is that too far from the ship dock? Is it worthwhile? We'll be there in May.Thanks. In May you still might run into snow on Deer Mountain. I've heard that Deer Mountain is doable except if the weather is rainy or still has snow on it. Edited March 25, 2014 by Kamloops50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommydoc Posted March 25, 2014 #3 Share Posted March 25, 2014 We are also thinking about doing this hike un-guided. Do we need to worry about bears? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huskyguy Posted March 25, 2014 #4 Share Posted March 25, 2014 You don't need to "worry" about bears, but everywhere you hike in Alaska, you need to be aware that bears are not too far away and know to act to avoid problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobCruise Posted March 25, 2014 #5 Share Posted March 25, 2014 I was researching that yesterday. Check this site out! http://www.ketchikanalaska.com/adventure/hikingtrails.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted March 25, 2014 #6 Share Posted March 25, 2014 Check at the visitor center about conditions. An area I enjoy is Ward Lake, easy to get to via city bus. I've used this site http://www.tomsportguides.com/KetchikanTrailsGuide.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted March 25, 2014 #7 Share Posted March 25, 2014 We are also thinking about doing this hike un-guided. Do we need to worry about bears? I always take an empty soda can filled with rocks. Easy to keep that noise going all hike long. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2red4u Posted March 26, 2014 #8 Share Posted March 26, 2014 We are looking at hiking that trail also the first week of June. My husband was considering bringing his hiking backpack and bear spray, but I need to check if we can put in our checked luggage and fly with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfie11 Posted March 26, 2014 #9 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Don't even think about taking bear spray on a plane....it's a prohibited item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2red4u Posted March 26, 2014 #10 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Thank you wolfie! One less thing I need to research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snook Posted March 26, 2014 Author #11 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Thanks for the info and the trail web sites. I did not know there were so many in Ketchikan. Since my time there will be limited, I'll have to put a lot of thought into which one or ones I choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunarias Posted March 27, 2014 #12 Share Posted March 27, 2014 This has been very helpful, we planned on hiking around Ketchikan, and this gives us some options based on weather, we are already doing a 6-8 hour hike in Juneau so we may not be up for Deer Mountain, but maybe we will....its crunch time, I'm sooo excited! :D We have run into bears on hikes before and they mostly want nothing to do with you, if you get into trouble just remember not to bolt (you are acting like prey) maintain eye contact and back away slowly making yourself appear as big as possible, arms up, backpack up, piggy back. If you are really talkative/have clanking water bottles you are very unlikely to see a bear in the first place. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2red4u Posted March 28, 2014 #13 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Clanking water bottles, I would have never thought of that. We are generally quite while hiking(no loud talking or kids being loud and goofy). We enjoy the peaceful nature. I guess we will need to be louder, lol.(all that hard work of training our kids about being respectful of nature and other hikers just go thrown out the door). We are pretty excited to be hiking in Alaska. Thanks everyone for the tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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