July 31st To Aug 6 th Warm Springs Bay To Sitka Via Baby Bear Cove
Left early to catch tides. Peaked in waterfall cove to see 400foot waterfall kutxhcuel/???? Nice. Pretty nice clear day.
Terra and Holly where not stressed out at all on this trip as they rested in Pilot House next too Patty piloting the boat.
Saw one whale sort of close and one distant breach. Cruised up peril strait and stopped at Baby Bear Bay which was 3 nm north of Sergius narrows which has big current and has to be timed well. Had a chill evening in Baby bear day. Saw a dear but no bears. Alex deployed crab traps.
August 1st Baby Bear Cove to Sitka
Alex retrieved crab traps. Got three small ones. We cooked them up in AM for later consumption prior to leaving. Got everything ready to go as needed to time tide at Sergius narrows. Left 10:30am (was a bit early) and nice flat water. Got to Sergius narrows early, still against tide so went through slow but no drama. No orcas or bears.
Chill cruise through Neva and Olga strait. When crossed small bit of ocean stopped on a small “sea mound” to fish for halibut. Guys caught a spiny rockfish and unidentified trout looking thing. Entered Sitka sound and then got to Sitka Harbor. Assigned end tie in Eliason harbor float seven.
The restored charter tug boat Swell, which we have seen numerous times on trip, was docked behind us. Took a short walk near marina and then guys cooked surf and turf YUM!
August 2nd Sitka
We took dogs to dog park (a designated baseball field and they played some good chuck it). We then walked to downtown on waterfront. At first industrial but a couple inns and restaurant. Got to Totem square on waterfront with totem pole depicting history of Sitka.
Walk To Totem Square 
Totem Square 
Sitka Water Front Park
Walked up Baranof Castle Hill which is where transfer of Alaska from Russia to US was executed years back. Lots of interpretive signs talking of history…Tlingits, Russians, US.
Then walked the small downtown which had a few good local artist shops. We had fry bread from a couple college kids. They recommended two food trucks (ashmo’s and Ju Ju’s) as lunch choices. Ju Ju’s is owned by fishing family and had fish tacos. At JuJu’s I had Halibut tacos, Alex had one salmon and one halibut. Fish good (owned by fishing family) but did not like the plane un heated corn tortillas. Marcia had the rice bowl which looked good. Gary had plain fish.
Finished town walk. Had rent a wreck Sitka car rental dropped off at totem square and thus after town walk we drove to Sitka National Historic park. Looked at some Indian stuff inside then took totem loop walk to see poles and also along Indian river.
Saw lots of Salmon running and watched some fisherman. No bears. Beautiful park. We did stop at Rose Gallery which is in a small building across from library and south harbor. It was a nice gallery. Went back and all tired. Marcia napped and Gary, Alex and I went to dinner at the Long Liner inn restaurant. Nice seafood pasta for the guys and I had halibut on salad with fries (my bad had fries ?)
August 3th Sitka
We took dogs to dog park. Then after breakfast I had arranged for us to go visit raptor center around 10am. They did not have any patients for me to look at but we saw the facility and got a back scenes tour.
Raptor Center Sign 
Raptor Center Entrance 
Oustide Pen Bald Eagles At Raptor Center 
Inside Pen Bald Eagles At Raptor Center
We then took car to Staargavin river area. Walked the forest/muskeg trail and then those guys hung out while we added on the mosquito cove loop (beautiful trail). We met at picnic table after and they had gotten some snacks. Left there around 3pm as a family had the hut reserved (nice sturdy hut, right on ocean and big firepit down near water).
Sitka Muskeg Board Walk 
Sitka Muskeg View 
Moisquito Trail Start 
Mosquito Trail
We headed back and alex worked on zincs a bit while we hung out. Then we went into town for a bit to check out the rest of town. Gary and Marcia got something at another gallery and then we had a drink at Ernie’s bar (established 80 years ago) and then Pioneer bar (more locals and we had seen a dog go in the day before for its hot dog). We all decided to go to dinner at the Channel Club which was recommended by the another boater we had seen in Baranoff (Mola Mola). We had nice dinner: ¾ of us had white king salmon (apparently the metabolize their diet differently, milder and I liked it) and Marcia had soy type Black cod tips. Excellent meal.
August 4th Sitka
We took dogs to dog park and alex filled dinghy gas tanks. Then back to boat to retrieve the gang. Went to the Sheldon Jackson museum for a couple hours. After that went back to boat.
Chilled in PM….I went to grocery store as I though we
were leaving the next day. Got back 6:30pm ish.
That night we were tired and they /we had to get up early so went to get take
out Mean Queen Pizza. While we waited we walked the dogs along the sea walk
which is at the most southern marina and where the cruise ship passengers are
let off.
August 5th Sitka
I took those guys to airport at 5am. We had decided to stay and had a slow start but by 12:30 we were on Harbor Mountain /Gavin hill trail. Drove up 5mile long forest road and parked then walked along ridge to alpine hut (2.3 out and back, fairly strenuous). It was very clear, great views of mountains, alpine wild flowers, ocean all around just a stunning wonderful hike!).
Gavan Hill Trail Start 
Gavan Hill Trail Muskeg 
Gavan Hill Trail Ridge 
Gavan Hill Trail View
Lots of blue and red berries to eat on trail
Blue Berrys 
Raspberrys
We turned around at the shack on top of ridge where you can stay over night if you wish.
Holly at Gavan Hill Trail Before Shack 
Patty at Gavan Hill View from Shack
On the way back down you get nice views of the bay below.
Gavan Hill Trail View 
Alex and Patty Gavan Hill Trail
After we went down to Ashmo’s for late lunch and the truck was still open. Ashmo’s was recommended by the young couple that made fry bread and also by Steve a fourth generation American Indian who’s family has 4-6 jewelry stores in Texas, Ketchikan, Sitka). We went back and got boat ready for voyage down outside of Baranof Island.