Alaskan Rainforest Paradise on Prince of Wales Island

Alaskan Rainforest Paradise on Prince of Wales Island. Cave Tour Included!

Often referred to as P.O.W, the third largest island in the US, is part of the Tongass National Forest.

The island is a 2 million acre temperate rainforest with endless mountains, streams flowing with salmon, and bays to watch breaching whales.

Native Alaskans have inhabited Prince of Wales Island for thousands of years and the island is rich with ancient tradition and living culture. P.O.W. has the most extensive road system in Southeast Alaska, with over 1500 miles of road to explore the entire island, including over 100 miles of paved highway. The island is a haven for freshwater and saltwater fishing, wildlife viewing, berry picking, sea kayaking, birdwatching, and learning about Alaska Native traditions.

The Sunnahae Trail climbs Sunnahae Mountain, which overlooks the seaside town of Craig and the western outer islands. The trail is steep but in great condition and is beloved by the residents of Craig and the rest of the island, with many hikers using the trail multiple times a week. Craig is a lovely, full-service community of about 1000 people with a grocery store, restaurant, and medical center.

The Harris River Campground, where AHS volunteers will stay, is located on the paved highway between Craig and Hollis, a drive that includes views of the Klawock mountains and Klawock Lake. Campsites are along the Harris River and provide 14 drive-in campsites. The Harris River is home to silver salmon, pink salmon, Dolly Varden, steelhead trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

Volunteers who join this project will have the opportunity to do an El Capitan Cave Tour. El Capitan Cave, the largest of more than 500 caves on the island, offers a trip back in time. The scenic drive from the campsite to the cave is about 2.5 hours on paved roads until the final 15 miles. Visitors will meet Forest Service guides at the cave interpretive site, located in the beautiful El Capitan Passage on the north end of Prince of Wales Island. After their brief talk about formation and mapping of the cave and scientific discoveries, pick out a helmet, headlamp and flashlight—and climb. The trail zigzags up concrete stairs and natural tread with rest stops along the way, passing through old growth forest. On the deck at the cave, guides outline safety and everyone turns on headlamps. The first 50 feet of the passage squeezes between boulders and a low ceiling; the cave then opens out. The tour goes about 500 feet into the cave. Guides provide you with information about cave formation, speleothems (cave features), cave biology and fossil finds.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience!

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.