• 2.5 Miles (one way)
• 3 Hours (one way)
• Begins 2 miles east of Sitka on Sawmill Creek Road
• Ends near the summit of Mount Verstovia
• Elevation Gain: 2,550 feet to Verstovia, 3,300 feet to Arrowhead
• Recommended Season: Spring through late fall
• Level of Difficulty: Difficult.  Steep trail with many switchbacks.  Tread in places is poor.  Wet and muddy.  Bears may be present.

Access

Two miles east of Sitka along Sawmill Creek Road.  Look for the trailhead sign near Seiner's Restaurant.

History

The lower hill slope was logged by the Russians in 1860.  Russian charcoal pits are still somewhat visible about a quarter mile up the present trail which was first built in the 1930's for recreational purposes of local residents.

Special Features

The view from Verstovia is spectacular.  The trail ends in sub-alpine meadows.

Description

Special Note: The peak names, Arrowhead and Verstovia used here follow local usage that does not correspond to the topographical map of Sitka A-4.

Local name Verstovia is the same as peak 2550 on the USGS map.

Local name Arrowhead is the same as Verstovia on the USGS map.

The trailhead is on the west side of Seiner's restaurant.  The first short segment of trail runs through thickets of alder and salmonberry; soon thereafter it enters the western hemlock-spruce forest where it remains until breaking over the ridge on the west shoulder of Verstovia.  About a third of a mile along the trail, one begins a series of switchbacks up the southwest side of the mountain.  There are a couple of nice viewpoints in the forest openings along this part of the trail.  At about 2,000 feet the trail reaches a gentle ridge and generally follows it east up to the shoulder of Mt. Verstovia (2,550 feet).

The vegetation change between the 2,000 foot level and summit is dramatic.  One moves from an open forest dominated by mountain hemlock into brushy meadows, across snowfields, through grassy sub-alpine meadows and finally into rocky alpine area with stunted, twisted plants.  The peak of Mt. Verstovia can be climbed by heading northeast along the rocky alpine ridge.  It takes about an hour to reach and climb the peak from the end of the trail.  The last part of the climb is quite steep and exposed; only for the sure-footed climber.