Misty Alaska Fjords Rainforest and Small Town Charm, AK

Ketchikan is a picturesque town in southeast Alaska. Surrounded by mountains and ocean, it is a photographers dream. Whether you would like to stroll down the sidewalk and explore small-town shops while staying in the Ketchikan Misty Fjords Bunkhouse in town or hike in the temperate rainforest, this location is for you. Ketchikan has wonderful museums and strong native cultures to discover. Don’t forget to bring rain gear as the beauty of a temperate rainforest is built by rain!

Volunteers will work on a mile of trail from the trailhead to a look out point. Tasks include feature removal, rebuilding steps, water mitigation, and bridge repair. The trail is very rocky and will require lots of bending, heavy lifting, shoveling, and picking. There are also steep trail sections within the project.

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.

Avg. Temperature:

Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of around 55–60°F and lows of 40–45°F. Late May in coastal southeast Alaska is cool and often cloudy, with frequent light rain or drizzle.

Sample Schedule:

Day 1: Arrival

Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time/place TBD)

Day 2: Work Day

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM

Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.

Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.

Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.

After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of  time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.

Day 3: Work Day

Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)

Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike,  tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.

Day 5: Work Day

Day 6: Work Day

Day 7: Departure

Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.

Land Acknowledgment:

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Tlingit, and Dënéndeh people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.