• 1 Mile (one way)
• 1.5 Hours (one way)
• Begins near the Old Sitka Boat Launch
• Ends at Parking area near end of Halibut Point Road, at Starrigavan Campground
• Elevation Gain: 150 feet
• Recommended Season: Year Round
• Level of Difficulty: Easy.  This gravel and boardwalk trail is accessible to people with physical disabilities at the difficult level.

Access

The trial is located about 6.5 miles north of Sitka on Halibut Point Road, and about .25 miles north of the Ferry Terminal.  The trail begins just past the boat launch parking area from Old Sitka boat Launch.

Special Features

The trail gently climbs through a typical southeastern Alaska forest to reach a scenic muskeg, dotted with small ponds and stunted lodgepole pines.  A self guided trail brochure is available at the trailheads at either end of the trail.  This trail is barrier free, and rated at difficult for accessibility, with some grades up to 12%.  Along the Estuary Life portion of the trail there is a bird viewing platform from which many different birds and other wildlife can be seen.

Description

The trail begins by gradually climbing across a moist side hill.  The trail is gravel until it reaches the outskirts of the muskeg, which is on the top of a low hill.  Through the muskeg, the trail is a boardwalk, which winds among muskeg ponds until reaching the forest again.  The trail gradually descends with occasional glimpses through the trees of Starrigavan Estuary.  At the base of the hill, the trail crosses Nelson logging road and enters the Estuary Life portion of the trail.  This portion of the trail continues at a gentle 5% grade for about a quarter mile to a bird viewing platform.  Here interpretive panels exhibit the birds that use the estuary and the dynamics of an estuary.