“Capturing Alaska”
with Wayde Carroll






Wrangell, Alaska



  
     During my southeast Alaska trip last summer I spent a few days on the island, and in the town, of Wrangell. I don’t think I’ve ever been more comfortable in a new place. Everyone I met was extremely friendly and generous. I had total strangers offering me rides, bicycles for the length of my stay, and a promise of a car and a place to stay if I return (which I definitely will).
  Add to this the mind numbing beauty surrounding the place and you’ve got one of my favorite destinations ever.
  This is another stop on the Alaska Marine Highway accessible to the state ferry but not to the giant cruise ships and there are only around 2000 people who call Wrangell home so the pace is laid back.  Its’ close proximity to the Stikine River ( compared by John Muir to Yosemite Valley) and the Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory, makes it an ideal base camp with plenty to offer.
  Besides the scenic river and the bears, you can search for the ancient mysterious petroglyphs, or rock carvings, that can be found at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park. For such a small community it is surprising that they have a world class museum that houses many historical displays from its’ Tlingit roots through the Russians occupation through the gold rush and up to todays tourism and fishing based economy.
  Explore Chief Shakes Tribal House and Totems, hike through the stunning Tongass National Forest up to Rainbow Falls, or climb the Mt. Dewey Trail to the spot where John Muir camped during one of his Alaskan adventures.
 Oh yeah, there’s a pretty nice little golf course as well, Muskeg Meadows.