Ketchikan, Alaska – Salmon City and First Alaskan Cruise Stop
by Paul H. Green
The climate in Ketchikan may be a bit unexpected for those expecting a cold winter and hot summer in Alaska. It has been described as like that of Seattle, 500 miles to the south, but in the extreme, with more rain and mist. Summer temperatures range up to the sixties, but winter temperatures are not extremely cold, only about the twenties and thirties Fahrenheit. Snow does fall, but it will then melt. Revillagigedo Island is the home of Ketchikan, which like almost all of Southeast Alaska, is in the huge, 500 mile long Tongass National Forest. Ketchikan is one of the nation's wettest towns. So be prepared and have some good rain gear. This is what gives the Tongass Nation Forest its temperate zone rain forest. A visit to Ketchikan is definitely a must. For a short trip, one day can be spent enjoying the native culture that has made Ketchikan the largest totem pole viewing and constructing center in Alaska. The options for the second day are either a tour of the rain forest, or a trip to the Misty Fjords. There is also the temptation of an intense day of fishing in these salmon infested waters that still produce tons of Alaskan salmon that is eaten at fine restaurants around the world.
Saxman Village is located two miles south of Ketchikan. There, totem carving is demonstrated by native craftsmen and on display there is the largest collection of totem poles in the world. Native dance is shown off at the Saxman Tribal house. The main highlight in town for native culture is the Totem Heritage Center about a mile walk uphill and away from the water. Totem poles are protected by special climate control in indoors conditions to preserve these fragile art forms that normally were only expected to last seventy years or so before decaying from the elements. This place is well worth a stop and you can learn a lot about the native culture. Who knows, if you stay long enough and talk to the native artists, pretty soon you could be carving your own totem poles. There are also several totems located in squares around town.
The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center has models and displays on the local environment. Outside by the docks you can listen to native tribes from Alaska play their cultural music. This music is very soothing. In town there is the Ketchikan boardwalk, which is a wooden maze of shops and beautiful scenery including Dolly's, the famous bordello from the good old days, when the gold rush claim stakers came to Alaska without their wives or family. Don't worry, it's only for show. There is also an extensive selection of jewelry stores and other tourist souvenir shops and bargains. Ketchikan's downtown becomes crowded in summer with thousands of people here for the day off of cruise ships. For transportation there are taxis and horse drawn carriages. A horse drawn carriage ride is better than a taxi, because it is slow and you can do a lot of sightseeing while riding.
Your next day or two in Ketchikan should be spent on outdoor activities like enjoying nature, fishing, boating and kayaking. Fishing can mean as little as renting a fishing rod and doing it on a pier, or up to renting a charter boat with a crew for an exciting day of deep sea fishing. This region of Alaska is particularly noted for its huge salmon. There are five species of salmon in the region and also many other fish.
Just outside of the Ketchikan waterfront is Tongass National Forest which is really the whole area, and extends in an area almost as large as the state of Maine. What an ecosystem! Right behind downtown is the Deer Mountain Trail, which after a three-mile climb can give you a magnificent view of coast and sea off Ketchikan at the height of three thousand feet. If you like the outdoors, then this is your place. Hunting opportunities include deer and there are miles of hiking trails.
An exciting day trip is to Misty Fjords National Monument, where magnificent fjords have been created by glacier action over thousands of years. These are just like the classic fjords in Norway, with huge cliffs coming up from the water sometimes literally three thousand feet straight out of the water. The attractions here are not only the sea otters you will encounter, but also the landscape and water views you will see. You can tour this National Monument by a boat tour or take a chartered flight to view it overhead. If you take a float plane, you can fly above, and then land in the water, which is a mind blowing experience.
The Ketchikan International Airport is ten miles away and is reachable by ferry. It is served by Alaska Airlines and other charter air. Air taxi service and sea planes are a necessity in the islands and jagged southeast panhandle region. Ketchikan's community harbor and docking facilities are extensive, including dry dock repair facilities. For more on your Ketchikan adventure, see www.visit-ketchikan.com .