Destination: Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, The Inside Scoop
A MIX OF LUSH OLD GROWTH TEMPERATE RAINFOREST FOREST (ON THE RIGHT) AND SECOND GROWTH FOREST (ON THE LEFT) , GLACIAL STREAMS AND INLETS, UNIQUE WILDLIFE, AND LOCAL PEOPLE WHO WELCOME YOU TO THEIR HOMES. THIS IS PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. IMAGE: © IZANBAR⎮ DREAMSTIME.COM
Update: April 2020. On March 12, a Federal judge ruled that EPA Law had been violated with the approval to log 1.8 Million acres of the Tongas National Forest. Many of these trees predate the united States itself. The forest itself is home to Sitka blacktail deer, grey wolf, bear,. It is a place where salmon spawn and hatchings grow until they are ready for the sea, a place of river otter, mink, eagles and goshawks and much more. And these trees are vital for their carbon sequestration in this age of Climate Change. This is great for the planet, bad for the immediate well-being of the local people. Today, more than ever, responsible tourism can make a difference here. And you will have the time of your life!
6 Reasons We Love Prince of Wales Island, Alaska.
ABSORB THE PEACE AND SERENITY OF THE COMMUNITY OF KLAWOCK'S BEAUTIFUL HARBOR, THEN HEAD INTO TOWN FOR A LOOK AT TOTEMS THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE RAISED ON PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND FOR CENTURIES. IMAGE: THANKS TO THE ALASKA FACEBOOK PAGE IMAGES.
1. Experience the Spirit and Reality of Responsible Tourism on Prince of Wales Island: The local people lead the way here, this economy is quickly changing from unsustainable natural resource exploitation to resource conservation and nature and indigenous culture tourism.
2. Explore a (Temperate) Rainforest! Prince of Wales Island is in the heart of the planet’s largest temperate rainforest.
3. Wild Earth, Air, and Sea: One of the few places left in the United States where you can still see plentiful salmon in the streams. The grey wolves fish here, black bears too (no grizzlies on the island), and so do bald eagles and river otters. Off shore watch for whales, seals, ocean birds and more!
4. Meet the Ancestors: Almost 10,000 years ago the Tlingit people lived on the island. The Haida people, still there today, followed. Discover a living ancient culture.
5. And Ancestor Trees: Hike among trees as old as 800 years in one of the planet’s last old-growth forests. The people themselves voted to save these ancients - come and see why.
6. Welcome to the Family: Just about everything on the island is family owned and run; when you are here, you are part of the family! Warm welcomes, (and kitchenettes) abound.
HUMPBACK WHALES COME CLOSE TO SHORE TO FEAST IN THE WATERS OFF PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. WATCH THEM FROM LAND OR CATCH A RIDE WITH ONE OF THE ISLAND'S MANY FISHING BOAT CAPTAINS. IMAGE: © AMBER NICHOLS ⎮dreamstime.com
Who: Adults, Children 10 and over, multi-generational families.
What: Temperate rain-forest, wildlife (some predators) and birds
Activities: Hiking, kayaking, camping, drive tours, boat tours
When: May through October
Where: Prince of Wales Island, Alaska
Why Responsible: The Island’s entire tourism industry, guides, accommodations, food, is run by and benefits local people and the environment.
How Long: Week, 10 days, longer.
The Scoop
The Alexander Archipelago - The Gateway to Alaska!
Where else can you watch the sun both rise and set over open water? Where can you experience humpback whales breaching and dolphins leaping, and then see a black bear, an eagle, and perhaps even a wild gray wolf fish for spawning salmon - all on the same day?
Where can you hug an 800-year old tree and explore a 10,000-year old culture? Where do the locals welcome you and your family into their own?
Where else but Prince of Wales Island, Alaska - the largest jewel in the mosaic of over 1,100 islands and submerged mountains that create Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago, the Gateway to Alaska!
Explore a Temperate Rainforest
IMAGINE A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN FIND 800 YEARS OLD TREES, AND A 10,000-YEAR OLD CULTURE, AS WELL AS FISH EATING GRAY WOLVES - THAT PLACE IS PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. IMAGE: STEPHANIE JURRIES, EMERALD ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY
Prince of Wales Island sits in the middle of the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Tongass National Forest also happens to be one of earth’s last old-growth forests (forest ecosystems that have not been changed unnaturally for 100 - 150 years are often given this designation).
Tongass continues across the bay from the mainland covering the island with centuries-old Sitka spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees, some of which have reached six to twelve feet (1.8 - 3.7 m). in diameter. The climate and unique ecosystem of saltwater inlets, glacier melt streams, waterfalls, and mountains, with its rare air, land, and sea wildlife, all surrounded by the Pacific Ocean creates a lush almost primordial world.
The island, transitioning from unsustainable old-growth logging and commercial fishing to nature tourism, is mostly undiscovered – expect a warm welcome but no crowds, no lines, and no traffic.
Bring the family!
This is an excellent multi-generation vacation destination. Nature experience opportunities run the gamut from accessible raised boardwalks through the rainforest and wildlife viewing platforms to rugged trails for extreme backpackers. The logging industry with its extensive old-growth logging and clear cutting has left scars - but also a mesh of logging roads ideal for walking and biking, or enjoy the island from a comfortable vehicle on the scenic highway. Explore the waters from a kayak, canoe, or let a local captain take you out on his boat. Stay in a cozy family owned inn or camp rough in a tent or forestry cabin. All business here - inns, shops, guides, restaurants - is local, as is the catch of the day.
Take a Guided Tour of Prince of Wales island
And Do Not Forget the Wildlife on Prince of Wales Island!
PRINCE OF WALES IS HOME TO THE THREATENED SWIMMING & FISHING ALEXANDER ARCHIPELAGO GRAY WOLF. IMAGE: ©Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven⎮dreamstime.com
The island is home to the threatened Alexander Archipelago wolf, a unique swimming, fishing, gray wolf subspecies. In fact, the wolves are not the only avid fisherfolk on the island; salmon fishing black bears are fun to watch from the boardwalks at the island's salmon runs, and the aerial ballets of eagles and ospreys competing for the best catch can be awe inspiring.
Enjoy the exuberance of feasting resident and migrating whale species without ever leaving the shore line, however you will not want to miss the porpoises, seal, and sea lions, and then there are the puffins and auks nesting on the small rocky islands a short boat ride away. Prince of Wales Island is a wonderland of earth, air, and sea wildlife species!
There is a host of possibilities for children (most locals recommend 10-years and older) and their parents and grandparents.
THE ACCESSIBLE RAISED WAKWAYS, LIKE THE BEAVER FALLS INTERPRETIVE TRAIL, MAKE EXPLORING PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND ENJOYABLE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. IMAGE: THANKS TO JFIMAGES01.
For More on Prince of Wales Island
Special Thanks
To Luke and Others on Prince of Wales Island who prefer to remain nameless but whose
enthusiasm and love for their wonderful home are surpassed only by their generosity. And to
The to U.S Forestry Service at Prince of Wales Island
for their time, help, and enthusiasm for this very special place.
JFimages01, photography. Follow him on Facebook
Stephanie Jurries, Emerald Island Photography
And to
the Klawock Community Facebook Page and Alaska Life Facebook page
For generously sharing their wonderful photography.
ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL Sunset OVER THE WATER at craig, prince of wales island, alaska. Image: Thanks to Luke.
