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Alaskan Rainforest Paradise on Prince of Wales Island

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ORGANIZATION: American Hiking Society

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Join American Hiking Society for a week of building & maintaining trails in exciting locations across the country. Volunteer Vacations foster public land stewardship and provide volunteers the opportunity to give back to the trails they love, meet new people, and have a great time doing it! Crews consist of 6-15 volunteers accompanied by a crew leader. Volunteer Vacations involve backpacking or day hiking and accommodations vary from primitive campsites to bunkhouses or cabins. Tools and supervision are provided by the host agency or organization. Experience nature up close. Travel to new destinations. Meet other outdoor enthusiasts. Take a vacation that nourishes your body & your spirit. Get Out. Give Back.

Project Specifics:

Alaskan Rainforest Paradise on Prince of Wales Island. Cave Tour Included!

Often referred to as P.O.W, the third largest island in the US, is part of the Tongass National Forest.

The island is a 2 million acre temperate rainforest with endless mountains, streams flowing with salmon, and bays to watch breaching whales.

Native Alaskans have inhabited Prince of Wales Island for thousands of years and the island is rich with ancient tradition and living culture. P.O.W. has the most extensive road system in Southeast Alaska, with over 1500 miles of road to explore the entire island, including over 100 miles of paved highway. The island is a haven for freshwater and saltwater fishing, wildlife viewing, berry picking, sea kayaking, birdwatching, and learning about Alaska Native traditions.

The Sunnahae Trail climbs Sunnahae Mountain, which overlooks the seaside town of Craig and the western outer islands. The trail is steep but in great condition and is beloved by the residents of Craig and the rest of the island, with many hikers using the trail multiple times a week. Craig is a lovely, full-service community of about 1000 people with a grocery store, restaurant, and medical center.

The Harris River Campground, where AHS volunteers will stay, is located on the paved highway between Craig and Hollis, a drive that includes views of the Klawock mountains and Klawock Lake. Campsites are along the Harris River and provide 14 drive-in campsites. The Harris River is home to silver salmon, pink salmon, Dolly Varden, steelhead trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

Volunteers who join this project will have the opportunity to do an El Capitan Cave Tour. El Capitan Cave, the largest of more than 500 caves on the island, offers a trip back in time. The scenic drive from the campsite to the cave is about 2.5 hours on paved roads until the final 15 miles. Visitors will meet Forest Service guides at the cave interpretive site, located in the beautiful El Capitan Passage on the north end of Prince of Wales Island. After their brief talk about formation and mapping of the cave and scientific discoveries, pick out a helmet, headlamp and flashlight-and climb. The trail zigzags up concrete stairs and natural tread with rest stops along the way, passing through old growth forest. On the deck at the cave, guides outline safety and everyone turns on headlamps. The first 50 feet of the passage squeezes between boulders and a low ceiling; the cave then opens out. The tour goes about 500 feet into the cave. Guides provide you with information about cave formation, speleothems (cave features), cave biology and fossil finds.

Hiking/Access

Volunteers will drive about 25 minutes from the Harris River Campground to the Sunnahae trailhead each day.

Area and Attractions

Volunteers will stay in a campground that is situated along the Harris River, a short drive from hiking trails and fishing outposts, within the Tongass National Forest, The Tongass surrounds the Inside Passage, the network of waterways that buffers the jagged Alaskan Coast and a cluster of coastal islands. The Tongass offers visitors a chance to view wildlife, including eagles, bears and spawning salmon. Expansive vistas of fjords, glaciers and mountain peaks abound. Much of the forest is a temperate rainforest. Prince of Wales Island offers boat rentals, fishing supplies and other conveniences a short drive away.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will camp at Harris River Campground. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. There are vault toilets on site. Showers will be available to volunteers at the end of the week. Volunteers need to bring their own tent and personal camping gear; sheets, bedding or sleeping bag; towels; personal cup/ bowl, mug, and eating utensils.

Trip Cost: $425 per person

Find More Information & Register Here: https://americanhiking.org/volunteer-vacation-trip/prince-of-whales-ranger-district-ak-volunteer-vacations-2025/

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About American Hiking Society

Location:

8403 Colesville Rd,Suite 1100, Silver Spring, MD 20910, US

Mission Statement

As the national voice for America's hikers, American Hiking Society promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience.

Description

Our nation’s trails need your help! Join American Hiking Society for a week of building & maintaining trails in exciting & diverse locations across the country.

Volunteer Vacations foster public land stewardship and provide volunteers the opportunity to give back to the trails they love, meet new people, and have a great time doing it!

Crews consist of 6-15 volunteers accompanied by a crew leader. Trips involve backpacking or day hiking and accommodations vary from primitive campsites to bunkhouses or cabins. Tools and supervision are provided by the host agency or organization.

Take a vacation that nourishes your body & your spirit.

Get Out. Give Back.

CAUSE AREAS

Environment
Environment

WHEN

Sun Jun 01, 2025 - Sat Jun 07, 2025

WHERE

504 9th StreetCraig, AK 99921

(55.47513,-133.14467)
 

SKILLS

  • Outdoor Recreation

GOOD FOR

  • Teens
  • People 55+

REQUIREMENTS

N/A

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