シトカ市・区周辺の簡単なハイキングとウォーキング

The Alaska Raptor Center is located in Sitka, Alaska. It is a non-profit organization specializing in the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey. Native birds of prey can be seen there, including eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This is the northeast trailhead for the hike to Heart Lake and Thimbleberry Lake. There is a minor river ford between Heart Lake and this trailhead that isn't much fun with a bike, so if you're planning to ride out and back from one trail, that's best done from the south trailhead. That way, even if the river feels impassable, you still get to see both lakes before turning back. Alternatively, you can also make a loop by walking Sawmill Creek Road.

Thimbleberry Lake is the larger of two lakes on this trail; the other, smaller lake is Heart Lake. There is a river ford/crossing between Heart Lake and the northeast, or Blue Lake Road, trailhead.

Heart Lake is the smaller of two lakes on this trail; the other is Thimbleberry Lake. There is a river crossing between Heart Lake and the northeast, or Blue Lake Road, trailhead.

This is the northeast trailhead for the hike to Heart Lake and Thimbleberry Lake. There is a minor river ford between Heart Lake and this trailhead, so if you're planning to hike out and back from one trail, you might consider using the south trailhead. That way, even if the river feels impassable, you still get to see both lakes before turning back. Alternatively, you can also make a loop by walking Sawmill Creek Road. This trailhead has a short access road that may be blocked by a gate. Per Sitka Trail Works, if the gate is closed you can park across from the Industrial Park and hike up the road to the trailhead. (Make sure not to block the gate.)

The Ben Grussendorf Forest and Muskeg Trail is mostly boardwalk, winding through a forest of stunted lodgepole pines.

The Mosquito Cove Trail is a relatively gentle 1.5 mile (2.4 km) stroll through forest, estuary and beach. Keep an eye out for plants characteristic of this temperate rainforest; in spring you might see fiddlehead ferns sprouting from the ground, and in summer the blueberry plants are busy producing blossoms that will transform into juicy, tart berries. Brown bear sightings are common here when the fish are running, and the trail may sometimes be closed for public safety due to the risk of bear encounters.

The histories of the Russian people, the Aleut people they brought with them, and the Tlingit people indigenous to this land are all inextricably entwined. This trail leads you through the forest to a small, humble memorial that commemorates the Russian and Aleut people who died here while fighting the Tlingit people, the original occupants of this land.