Gavin Hill Trail in Sitka Alaska

Solo hike on 8/26/2012

Details: I did an out and back from the Harbor/ Gavin Shelter

Destination	Distance (one way/round trip) Time (one way/round trip)
Muskeg Viewpoint	.05 miles/.1 miles 2-5 minutes/5-10 minutes
Overlook	1.5 miles/3 miles 35 minutes-1.5 hours/1.5-3 hours
Gavan Ridge	2 miles/4 miles 45 minutes-2 hours/2-4 hours
Summit	3.5 miles/7 miles 1.5-3 hours/3-6 hours
Harbor-Gavan Shelter	3.75 miles/7.5 miles 2-4 hours/4-8 hours

  My Stats:

Distance:	7.59 mi
Time:	2:54:59
Avg Pace:	23:04 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	2,959 ft

This was a solo after work hike. I road a bike to the trail head and ditched it in the bushes about 1/4 mile in. 

Trail started out nice and easy. But soon I was walking on planks and gaining elevation quickly. This was a rain forest and as soon as you stepped off of the trail you would sink into mud. 

These planks went on for miles. Someone has put in a lot of work to make this trail usable. If it wasn't for the planks I would have needed knee high rubber boots (aka Xtra Toughs the boot that all the Alaskans wear here.)  

This is the view from the Overlook. In the center of the bay you can see a giant cruise ship. 

Let the stair climbing continue! I should have counted the steps.....

View of Arrowhead Peak. I hiked this one earlier in the week. 

Some sections were quite steep. I didn't need this rope but I thought it would make for a good picture anyway. The rope was more useful in descent than ascent. 

 Gavin Hill Summit ahead. The trail turned into a rolling hill traverse with great views of the surrounding mountains and ocean. 

Gavin Ridge. Much drier up here I had a rare chance to soak up the rays. Sitka is know for its rain. 

Harbor Mountain in the background. 

 Gavin Shelter in the distance. Took me 1 hr 35 min. There was a guy camping out in it with a large riffle. Didn't take a close up shot of it. 

 Wuzzzuppp! Look at the mountains behind me. Next time....

Which way is the beach???!? Harbor Mtn behind me. 

Endless stairs on the down climb!!! This is also the way I came up. Good workout. 

Plank run. Warning: You may get motion sickness if you watch this.... enjoy. 

Garmin Map and Full Stats:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217176972

Mt. Verstovia and Arrowhead Peak

Mt. Verstovia and Arrowhead Peak - August 26th, 2012

View from a boat of Mt. Verstovia and Arrowhead Peak

Destination	Distance (one way/round trip) Time (one way/round trip)
First Viewpoint (800 ft)	.75 miles/1.5 miles 20-45 minutes/45-90 minutes
Second Viewpoint	1.25 miles/2.5 miles 45-75 minutes/1-2.5 hours
Picnic Rock (Peak 2550)	2.5 miles/5 miles 1.5-3 hours/3-6 hours
Summit (aka Arrowhead Peak)	3.5 miles/7 miles 2-4 hours/4-8 hours

We started hiking around Noon. The trail is quite steep, rocky, with a fair bit of scrambling near Arrowhead Peak. 

View from the top of  Picnic Rock

We took a long break to rest at Picnic Rock before heading up Arrowhead. The Volcano in the background is Mt. Edgecombe the peak I wanted to climb today but we had to turn around because the water was to rough for the little boat we were in . 

Taking a break with Arrowhead in the background

In-between Picnic and Arrow head there was a saddle. After that you climb the far right side of the arrow and the Scramble up the backside which you can not see in the picture above. 

Moving around the backside of the Arrowhead

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217176930

My Stats for the hike. 

Overall it was a great hike and a better workout. 

One of the many beautiful views