harbor mountain trail

If you love waterfalls and don't mind a bit of climb, you will love this trail. Don't know why some of the reviews talk about this being an easy hike. Unless they are confused, (or I am) about which trail is which. The trail head near the waterfalls is at the end of the road past the Fortress of the Bear.

Give yourself about 2-3 hours to enjoy the view and hike to the Hut from the trailhead at the top. No bathroom facilities. Bring bug spray and toilets tissue as well as water and trail mix. If you just want the view an easy walk from a small parking lot below the trail head will bring you to several tables with fire pits. Bring your own firewood or better yet a bag of charcoal. A great spot to enjoy the long sunsets of summer. Don't forget the gram crackers, marshmallows and chocolate!

The Harbor Mountain trail winds it way across the "Three Sisters"..there are views, that you will never ever see anywhere else in SITKA, you can view NORTH - into the Entrance to the "INSIDE PASSGAGE"...One of Alaska's most unforgetable sights..along the inside waterway, on your way to Anchorage...Gaciers, Whales, Killer Whales, you name it if its there, you'll see it, and IF...IF YOUR LUCKY, you might even see the AURORA BOREALIS...a real......lifetime memory...if your lucky enough to see it........YOU'LL NEVER FORGET IT..... ENJOY...that's what the trip is for....you'll have stories to tell your grandchildren for YEARS.!!!!!

This is one of my favorite trails here in Sitka. The views are fabulous! You drive up and up on well maintained switchback roads, then park and hike up some pretty trails that are also well maintained. Alot of it is climbing up and down, but it's so pretty you don't mind it at all. It was a little too much of a workout for my non-athletic friend. It's a trail you need to bring bear spray with you though, as we heard there were bears in the area earlier in the week. But then, what trail in Alaska won't you be bear alert on? We saw a huge beautiful rainbow when we got near the Gavin Trail head! We didn't cross the rockslide that was the Gavin Trail head (we think), she just wasn't up for it. But overall, a good 2-3 hr hike, depending on how often you stop to take pictures (and we ate a light snack and rested on a hill once). The road to the trailhead is closed until mid-late May - just so you know... Go for It! you won't regret it. (p.s. I don't think they have bathrooms, but maybe I just didn't see them... )

This is a beautiful trail to hike, we did not make it all the way as we were not planning on hiking this day and just happened upon it. Mediocre hike for the non experienced like us, but definetly worth it!

If it's one of Sitka's rare clear days, make this trip. About a 20 minute drive up from Halibut Point Road on a narrow, switchbacked gravel road to a parking area up about 2200 feet, then about a 300 foot climb up a graveled foot trail to a ridge, which ultimately leads to Gavin Hill Trail. Terriffc views of both Sitka Sound and all the islands as well as alpine meadows