Sitka National Historical Park reopens Totem Trail Loop for daytime use

Effective on Saturday, Nov. 12, the Sitka National Historical Park will reopen the Totem Trail Loop for daytime use between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. All other park trails, including the trail from Sawmill Creek Road (East Entrance) to the pedestrian bridge, the Riverview Trail, the pedestrian bridge within the park, and Russian Memorial Loop trail, remain closed at all times. The pedestrian bridge may be accessed from the Totem Trail Loop for photos and wildlife viewing, but we ask that visitors return to the Totem Trail and not cross to the east entrance side.

Be aware that bears could be present in the park at any time. Daytime trail users are encouraged to be alert, make noise in areas of limited visibility, and avoid areas that have recent signs of bear activity (tracks, scat, or active fishing). 

Park staff continue to monitor bear activity and daytime trail closures may be in effect when needed. Closures and advisories are posted at trail heads and junctions. Red indicates trails are closed due to consistent bear activity. Yellow indicates one should use caution as a bear encounter is possible. Please keep yourself and the bears safe by respecting the trail status and temporary closures. 

For additional information, visit the park’s web page, http://www.nps.gov/sitk, or call the Visitor Center at (907) 747-0110. 

SAIL Senior Hiking Club sets next hike for the morning of Thursday, Nov. 18

The Sitka office of Southeast Alaska Independent Living Inc. (SAIL) has announced its next Senior Hiking Club hike event.

The hike will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 18. Seniors should meet at the Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center to hike the Totem Trails. Rides are available for those who need them. Participants should be prepared to wear masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and practice distancing while on the hike.

Normally, the group picks the trail on the day of the hike, but occasionally a trail is picked before the event. SAIL makes trekking poles available for hikers to use (trekking poles are great on ice or uneven terrain, and they help seniors keep their balance), and hikers are encouraged to bring ice cleats such as YakTrax during the icy months of winter.

SAIL offers Senior Hiking Club events for those age 60 or older once or twice a month, and now plans to alternate them on Mondays with Adventure Club events. There is a $5 fee, but nobody will be turned away because of finances. The hikes are open to people of all abilities and fitness levels. To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, check out our January 2013 post introducing the club.

To learn more about the Senior Hiking Club, senior and adaptive kayaking trips, senior cycling events, and and a variety of other outdoors skills and survival classes, contact SAIL ORCA (Outdoor Recreation and Community Access) program coordinator Matt Millado at 1-888-487-1029 or email him at mmillado@sailinc.org.

• SAIL events calendar for November 2021

Sitka WhaleFest to host evening tide pool walk on Thursday, Nov. 4

The Sitka WhaleFest will host a guided evening tide pool walk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, at the Sitka Sound Science Center.

This event will have a guide, plus head lamps and identification cards will be available for people to use as they look for critters in the tide pools.

This event costs $10 for adults and $7 for kids. Registration is required, so go to Book Now at https://sitkascience.orghttps://sitkascience.org to register.