Sitka Alaska - Totems, Trails, and Trees

At Sitka National Historical Park you will find totem poles standing the test of time, towering trees, and temperate temperatures tempting tourists to traverse the tranquil trails in a rain forest that has a tale to tell. It’s time to take a tour …

Located on the west side of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska is the town of Sitka. We’ve come here several times on Alaskan cruises. However, cruise ship shore excursions offer only a brief time at various local attractions. For example, on our last trip here, we spent about 20 minutes at the Sitka National Historical Park. We wanted more time to hike the rain forest trails, see all of the totem poles, and learn a little history about the Park. So during our most recent visit (May 2017), we opted to be our own tour guide.

Address: Sitka National Historical Park, 103 Monastery Street, Sitka, AK 99835

Phone: (907) 747-0110

Sitka Historical Park NPS

It is an easy walk from downtown Sitka to the Park’s Visitor Center. This is a good place to get information about the Park, see the exhibits, or watch a short video. The restrooms are located at the front of the building.

Visitor Center - Front/Street Side 

Visitor Center - Water View

GENERAL INFORMATION Sitka National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret the site of the battle of 1804 between the Tlingit and Russians. While Sitka National Historical Park is its official name, the Park is also referred to as Sitka Park, Government Park, Indian River Park, and Sitka National Monument. Another unofficial name is Totem Park.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Indian River National Monument was established on March 23, 1910. In 1972, the Park’s name was changed to Sitka National Historical Park and its boundaries were expanded to include the Russian Bishop’s House

HOURS/FEES: The Visitor Center is open year round (except Christmas and Thanksgiving). Hours vary according to the season. The Russian Bishop’s House is open daily (May-October) from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. This park does not have an entrance fee.

The Russian Bishop’s House (located at 501 Lincoln Street) was completed in 1842 and was part of the Russian Orthodox Church. By 1969, the building was falling into a state of disrepair. The National Park Service obtained the property and began the lengthy process of restoration to its 1853 appearance. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 13, 1962. It is one of four surviving examples of Russian Colonial Style architecture in the Western Hemisphere.

Russian Bishop's House

We enjoy history and hiking and this 113-acre Park offers both. It has two loop trails (the Totem Trail and the Russian Memorial Trail).

Park Trail Map

These two trails (total of 1.6 miles) wind through the rain forest and offer coastal views of Sitka Sound and snow-capped mountains – like Mount Edgecumbe (a dormant volcano). I can’t stop taking pictures of it!

Mount Edgecumbe

It is easy to walk the wide and well-maintained trails in this rain forest (no rain today!).  

 Tranquil Trails

Of course, the totem poles are the focus along the Totem Trail. According to the NPS website, “Between 1903 and 1904, Alaska’s Governor Brady toured southern southeast Alaska's Tlingit and Haida villages by ship, asking leaders to donate poles and other objects for an exposition. From the spring of 1904 through 1905, the poles were “on display” in St. Louis and then Portland, Oregon. The poles returned to Sitka in January of 1906, where Brady's concept of a totem pole park would be realized. Before the poles could be installed, they were repaired by skilled local craftsmen.”

 Totem Poles

If you understand what each carving means, you will learn the story each totem pole is telling. Unfortunately, I don’t know what the carvings represent but I do appreciate the beauty of the carvings and their historic value.

While walking the trails, we are pleasantly surprised by the sunny weather and even shed a layer of clothing … mid-May in Alaska – who knew? I love walking through the rain forest. I feel so small in this land of giant trees.

Giant Trees

The forest floor is carpeted in green vegetation. Trees that have fallen become nurse logs providing a foundation for new life to begin.

Nurse Log

We walk along the coastal trail. Adding a little springtime color to the landscape are yellow dandelions growing along the grassy shoreline.

Maybe 20-30 minutes would be sufficient time for some people who visit this Park. However, we spent a leisurely 2.5 hours strolling the trails, watching bald eagles, taking pictures, reading the exhibit signs, and going through the Visitor Center. 

Later, we walked back to downtown Sitka via the Sea Walk (a pedestrian walkway that parallels Lincoln Street) and returned to our ship in time for our “all aboard” at 12:30 p.m.

The Sitka National Historical Park is just one of many things to see and do in Sitka. For more information on Sitka, I invite you to view my blog post by clicking on the following link:

Denice's Blog Post - Sitka, AK

  

For more information on recreational opportunities/tours, lodging, and other attractions in Sitka, please click on the following link:

Sitka Visitor Bureau

If you are planning a longer visit to Sitka, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews on dining and lodging options.  

  

  

  

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka is an island in southeast Alaska that is only accessible by boat or plane.  The Russians settled Old Sitka in 1799 giving Sitka its nickname “Alaska’s Little Russia”.

This morning, we are participating in the “Explore Sitka Highlights & Totem Park” tour.   We board bus #8 and begin our tour of the Sitka highlights (crossing the O'Connell Bridge to Japonski Island).  We see the harbor, 3 huge colorful buoys, a bald eagle, and the University of Alaska before re-crossing the bridge back to Baranof Island where Sitka is located. 

Our tour continues downtown where we pass by the Hanion- Osbakken House and St. Peter's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church.

    

Hanion-Osbakken House       St. Peter’s By-The-Sea

We stop at a beach to see a bald eagle but we get an extra treat and see a whale too. 

Next we arrive at the Naa Kahidi Community House to watch the Alaskan Tlingit Natives perform traditional songs and dances from their culture.  The last dance is an invitational dance and members of the audience are invited to participate - so I do.  You simply spread your arms out like the wings of a raven and dance with a limp. 

At the Sitka National Historical Park is a loop trail where totem poles are on display.  Unfortunately, we only have time to walk about 1/3 of the trail.   We do see 6 or 7 of the totem poles before our time here is up and we need to return to the bus. 

                    

For more information on this Park, I invite you to view my Blog Post on Sitka National Historical Park by clicking on the following link:

Denice's Blog Post - Sitka National Historical Park

The bus driver drops us off downtown by St. Michael's Cathedral (a Russian Orthodox Church).   St. Michael’s Cathedral was built between the years of 1844-1848 and was destroyed by fire in 1966 and rebuilt.  The church’s green domes and crosses are a prominent and iconic landmark in Sitka. 

    

In the afternoon, we embark on the “Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest” (Allen Marine Tours).   We are very fortunate today because the waters around Sitka are pretty smooth.  This allows the boat to sail quickly and easily around the area in search of wildlife.  Within 45 seconds of leaving the dock, we see sea otters.  We continue sailing around locating bald eagles and lots of sea otters near Black Rock.  Bieli Rocks (a small rocky island) has three crosses at the top of it honoring those who lost their lives at sea.  We sail by the dormant cinder cone of Mount Edgecombe (3,201').  It was named by Captain James Cook in 1778.  

                   

Cruising for Wildlife Sightings       Bieli Rocks (Island)        

                       

                                                          Mount Edgecombe

We cruise to the 65-acre St. Lazaria Island (National Wildlife Refuge).  Here we see Puffins floating in the water and a rugged coastline.

                    

St. Lazaria Island                             Puffins

Shortly after leaving the Refuge, we spot a couple of gray whales.  We watch them for a short time before moving to another location in search of humpback whales.  We do see whales spouting and making brief appearances but mostly they are playing hide-and-go seek with us.

For more information about Sitka, visit the following website:

Sitka Alaska

For more information on St. Lazaria Island National Wildlife Refuge, visit the following website:

St. Lazaria Island National Wildlife Refuge

For more information on St. Michael’s Cathedral, visit the following website:

St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral

For more information on the Sitka National Historical Park, visit the following website:

Sitka National Historical Park

For more information on the Naa Kahidi Community House, visit the following websites:

Naa Kahidi Community House

For more information on Allen Marine Tours, visit the following website:

Allen Marine Tours - Sitka

Michigan B&B's

So, you are looking for a romantic place to celebrate a special occasion with a certain someone you love. Or maybe you need to spend some quality time - just the two of you. A Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place. They are quiet, cozy, and comfortable. Many of them are more affordable than you think – especially if they are open during the “off season” or you stay on a weeknight.

From grand Victorian mansions to beautiful log cabins, from Arcadia to Zeeland and in-between, here are some of my favorite Michigan B&B’s (in no particular order of preference):