Working in the Tropical Wilderness of Alaska

Working in the Tropical Wilderness of Alaska

Restoring the Sunnahae Trail: A Week of Community, Conservation, and Connection

The Sunnahae Trail restoration project, held on Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest, brought together volunteers for a week-long trail stewardship, exploration, and connection event. The project aimed to repair and maintain the popular, steep, and scenic Sunnahae Trail, ensuring safe and lasting access for hikers and locals, while preserving a beloved community resource within America's largest temperate rainforest.

The trail, known for its steep grade and stunning views, meanders through old-growth forest and rugged terrain on remote Prince of Wales Island. Volunteers, coordinated by the American Hiking Society, worked tirelessly for a week, doing physically demanding trail stewardship.

The daily base for the volunteers was the Harris River Campground, located between Craig and Hollis. The campground offers campsites along a salmon-filled river and mountains in the distance, providing a picturesque setting for the volunteers to unwind after a day's work. Evenings fostered social connection through shared meals and campfire stories, creating a sense of camaraderie among strangers.

The event offered more than just the allure of Alaska's wild, untamed beauty. Volunteers also had the opportunity to explore El Capitan Cave, the island’s largest cave, learning about its geology, fossils, and unique subterranean ecosystem from Forest Service guides. This educational component added a deep natural history dimension to the project.

The impact of the restoration was significant. The restored trail allows locals and visitors to continue enjoying outdoor recreation safely for years to come. By maintaining trail infrastructure, the project helped reduce environmental degradation caused by erosion or trail overuse. Furthermore, the experience went beyond conservation, fostering a sense of community and educational value among participants. The trip provided volunteers with a renewed sense of purpose.

One volunteer described the experience as leaving with a group that feels like friends. The week-long event fostered a supportive crew, building lasting connections during the trail stewardship trip. The lasting impact of the event was not just in trail restoration, but also in the relationships built. The Sunnahae Trail restoration project represents a meaningful collaboration to protect and sustain a treasured wilderness recreation corridor within the Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island.

During the Sunnahae Trail restoration project, participants not only enjoyed hiking and appreciating the expedition's picturesque landscapes but also embraced outdoor-living, making the Harris River Campground their temporary home-and-garden. In addition, adventure-travel opportunities extended beyond the trail, with guided tours of El Capitan Cave offering insights into the island's geology and unique ecosystem. This combined trail stewardship and exploration proved to be an enriching Week of Community, Conservation, and Connection. Moreover, the restoration not only promoted safe access for hikers but also upheld the preservation of the beloved Sunnahae Trail and the Tongass National Forest's community resource, ensuring its enjoyment for travel enthusiasts in the future.

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