Wilderness Cruise on Alaska's Inside Passage: Juneau to Sitka

The Trip

Join us as we explore Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage between Juneau and Sitka from a comfortable yacht.

Our first day in Juneau will include a hike at Mendenhall Glacier followed by a tour of the Alaska State Museum. We’ll board the yacht the next morning and spend 10 days sailing past snow-capped mountains rising majestically from the ocean. Accompanied by our naturalist, we’ll watch humpback whales, journey into fjords, kayak among icebergs, and view bears and other wildlife up close. Most of our voyage takes place in the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in North America. Each day, we'll go ashore to experience beautiful beaches and forests, tumbling waterfalls, alpine meadows, wetlands bursting with unusual plants, and shorelines filled with intertidal creatures. Evenings are spent anchored in remote coves, enjoying local foods prepared by our on-board chef, relaxing in the yacht’s well-stocked library, and adding to our list of the birds, plants, animals, marine mammals we’ve observed each day. Our trip ends in Sitka, site of the last Russian outpost in North America.

Day 1: Our first full day is spent in Juneau, the capital of Alaska and a hospitable small town with many hiking trails and museums. We'll gather in the morning to travel to the Mendenhall Glacier, a 13-mile-long river of ice just minutes from town. From the visitor center, we’ll have spectacular views of the glacier and icebergs floating in the lake in front of us. We’ll also hike through a moist rainforest laden with moss, keeping an eye out for black bears, porcupines, beavers, and bald eagles. In the afternoon, we’ll tour the Alaska State Museum and learn about Alaska’s Native culture, the Russian colonial period, and natural history. Later that evening, we'll gather for a no-host dinner and trip orientation. Lodging and meals for the first day of the trip and breakfast on the second day of the trip are not included in the trip price.

Days 2-10: Our cruise will begin the morning of day two, when we’ll gather at the marina, meet the crew, and board the Snow Goose, a 65-foot motorized yacht. We’ll be assigned cabins, have a safety talk, and then get underway. We will begin travelling south in Stevens Passage toward Holkam Bay. Once there, we will explore the icy fjords of Endicott Arm, where we’ll float and kayak among huge icebergs and watch a tidewater glacier calve into the ocean. Described by some as impressive as Glacier Bay, Endicott Arm offers one of the most stunning glacial landscapes in Southeast Alaska: sheer granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and thundering glaciers. Within the fjords it is common to see seals resting on the many ice floes, as they are a relatively safe spot to avoid the threat of marauding Orcas.

At some stops, there will be an opportunity to explore the coast by sea kayak. From the comfort of these stable and sleek crafts, we’ll glide silently on the water with tall mountains looming above and rich intertidal life below. Every night we'll stop in a new and secluded anchorage, and depending on when we arrive, there will often be time before dinner to take a quick shore trip, kayak, or simply read and relax in your favorite deck chair.

From Holkam Bay we will continue south from Stevens Passage into Fredrick Sound. Here, the water teems with small fish and plankton that attract a large variety of marine mammals, including humpback whales. We will spend hours floating in solitude, watching and listening to the sights and sounds of these huge creatures that ply these waters all summer long. This area is considered the best in southeast Alaska to see humpbacks, and with luck, we’ll view some spectacular whale behavior, including the chance to witness the feeding style known as "bubble-net feeding." We’ll also likely observe sea otters, orcas, dolphins, porpoises, terns, and other interesting seabirds.

As the days pass, we will continue exploring the convoluted coastline of Southeast Alaska. On shore, we’ll have the opportunity to hike deep into the forest to waterfalls, rivers, and beautiful old-growth tree stands. We’ll slowly sail west through Fredrick Sound toward Admiralty Island, which has the highest concentration of brown bears (coastal grizzlies) and nesting bald eagles in North America. Traveling further east to Baranof Island, we’ll use the kayaks as another tool to explore the coastline. One day we'll visit the Baranof Warm Springs for a relaxing soak and a hike to a lake above the picturesque falls.

Finally, we’ll head north through Peril Straits and take advantage of the few existing hiking trails in Southeast Alaska. Sitka spruce, hemlock, skunk cabbage, ferns, fungus, and birds are only a few species we will encounter, and our naturalist guide will teach us about the temperate forest ecosystem. Winding our way south toward Sitka, we’ll travel through small passages and narrow channels with fine opportunities to observe wildlife on shore.

Day 11: The trip concludes with our arrival in Sitka, which was once the Russian capital of Alaska and is home to Tlingit First Nation people. Guests will disembark at approximately 11:00 a.m., in time to catch an afternoon flight. However, if time permits, you should consider spending an extra day or two to fully experience this area. Sitka, the ancestral home of the Tlingit, was captured by Russians and then sold to the Americans. This fascinating heritage is well documented in local museums and multiple National Historic Landmark buildings. Sitka is an island community that is deeply connected to the natural world around it, where the arts flourish and the ancient native culture still thrives.

Please note that our daily itinerary will be flexible, based on group interests, weather conditions, and, of course, wildlife sightings. Occasionally, changes may occur either in advance of or during the trip. Please be aware that we will make every attempt to visit all the highlights listed here; however, if weather, equipment, or any other condition causes a change, please be flexible and respect the decision of the leader. The safety of the group is our number one concern. While wildlife in the Alaska islands is abundant, we cannot guarantee that you will see all the species described above. 

Getting There

You will need to make your transportation arrangements to arrive in Juneau and depart from Sitka. Alaska Airlines serves both cities. Please talk with your leader prior to making travel arrangements and plan to arrive in plenty of time to meet with the group the morning of the first day of the trip. Be aware that bad weather can cause flights to be delayed or cancelled. There’s a lot to see and do in Southeast Alaska, and this trip can serve as the centerpiece for an extended trip.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Our home will be a 65-foot-long Snow Goose. Built in 1973 as a private yacht, this U.S. Coast Guard-certified passenger vessel boasts a motorized inflatable raft (Zodiac) for shore excursions, and several sea kayaks to allow passengers to quietly explore islands and shorelines. The knowledgeable crew consists of a captain, a professional cook, and an experienced deckhand. We'll also have a naturalist onboard with expertise in marine biology, ornithology, and anthropology.

The yacht sleeps 12 passengers in six private, fully heated cabins, and it has three toilets and two hot showers. The main deck features an airy salon, a library, a galley, and a dining area. Large windows permit unobstructed views out all sides, and access to the outside is easy. The upper bridge deck provides a good vantage point for spotting whales and onshore wildlife. It has comfortable seating for passengers who wish to learn about navigation.

The small vessel allows access to shoreline areas inaccessible to larger ships. Even when traveling from one place to another, we’ll be pausing to observe marine life and making one to three stops each day to go ashore and explore.

All meals will be onboard the ship. We will have a social hour before dinner and evening discussions about our experiences that day. Most nights will be spent anchored in quiet coves. The trip price includes all meals, starting with lunch on the second day and ending with breakfast on the last day. A professional cook will prepare all the meals, although volunteer help is always welcome. There will be ample quantities of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy products. Delicious, wholesome meals will be served family- or buffet-style. Complimentary wine is served before and with dinner. Otherwise, guests are responsible for bringing their own alcoholic beverages or soft drinks. Coffee and tea are also provided. Please note that smoking is not permitted aboard the ship.

Trip Difficulty

This will be a leisurely trip. Hikes will be optional and generally easy, covering moderate terrain. There may be some optional longer, more strenuous hikes. Insects should not be a significant problem, although mosquito repellent will be useful on some hikes. You must be able to descend a short ladder to board an inflatable launch (Zodiak boat) for shore excursions. Daytime temperatures usually range from 55-85 degrees. Although we should have days with sunshine, we must also be prepared for rain and gusty winds. The minimum age for the trip is 16 years.

Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote and away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Most of our Alaska trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry; your trip leaders have traveled extensively in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.

We use professional outfitters and guides for our trips. The industry practice is that our outfitters require participants to sign a waiver similar to the Sierra Club waiver you will be asked to sign. Your trip leader will provide you with the details for your trip.

Equipment and Clothing

You will receive a detailed clothing and equipment list specific to this trip from the leader after signing up. In general, layered clothing, excellent raingear, and knee-length rubber boots are appropriate. Photographers of all skill levels will have ample opportunities to take pictures of wildlife and scenery. Camera battery charging is available onboard. Those who are particularly interested in bird-watching will have a treat in store, so good binoculars are essential. Although this is not a fishing trip, there may be some limited opportunities to fish. An Alaska fishing license is required and may be purchased before the trip. Please coordinate with the leader.

References

• Muir, John, Travels in Alaska. Discover Alaska through the eyes of the Sierra Club's founder.
• Wiley, Sally, Blue Ice in Motion, The Story of Alaska’s Glaciers. This book provides an illustrated introduction to Alaska's glaciers, with details on how they form, why they move, and the landforms that result.
• McPhee, John, Coming into the Country. Alaska is far more complex geographically, culturally, ecologically, and politically than most Americans appreciate, and few writers are as capable of capturing this complexity as McPhee, who describes his travels through much of the state.
• Reid, William, The Raven Steals the Light. Savor Reid's fascinating stories and legends of the Haida people.
• Mitchner, James A., Alaska. Explore Alaska and its peoples from early times to the present day.
• L'Amour, Louis, Sitka. An early adventurer faces the dangers of Russian-owned Alaska.
• Hedin, Robert and Gary Holthause, Alaska, Reflections on Land and Spirit. This book provides a collection of stories by writers who are native to Alaska or have traveled and lived in Alaska. It includes accounts of explorers, natives, naturalists, and others.
• Lende, Heather, If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: News from Small-Town Alaska. Her offbeat chronicle brings us inside her busy life. We meet her family and a colorful assortment of friends and offbeat neighbors, including aging hippies, salty fishermen, native Tlingit Indians, Mormon spelunkers...as well as the moose, eagles, sea lions, and bears with whom they share this wild and perilous land.
• Jans, Nick, The Grizzly Maze: Timothy Treadwell's Fatal Obsession with Alaskan Bears. This book is about Timothy Treadwell, self-styled "bear whisperer" who dared to live among the grizzlies, seeking to overturn the perception of them as dangerously aggressive animals. When he and his girlfriend were mauled in October 2003, it created a media sensation.

Conservation

Drawing upon the knowledge of our crew and your trip leader, we will discuss several environmental issues for Southeast Alaska. The Tongass National Forest encompasses our planet’s largest remaining temperate rainforest, but human impacts increasingly affect this area. The forest has 19 designated federal wilderness areas, but it is also home to over 75,000 people who depend on the land and sea for their livelihoods. Forest Service management of the Tongass has been a source of controversy for over a century. Despite President Clinton’s Roadless Rule and the Tongass Timber Reform Act, some of the Tongass’ old growth is still slated for clear cutting. We’ll take time during our trip to discuss how mining, road-building, and especially clear-cutting continue to erode the wilderness character of the Tongass and threaten its wildlife and unique plant communities. We’ll also discuss the impacts of global climate change on the region.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.