Ketchikan Nature Walk

In Ketchikan we enjoyed a hike into the local woods consisting mainly of spruce and hemlock.  According to the guide, the local forests were about 20% spruce, 70% white hemlock, and 10% red cedar, with miscellaneous scrub varieties such as red alder.  Alder was said to be the most desirable wood for smoking salmon for human consumption and making making handles for tools.

The plant vegitation was prolific. Common species found elsewhere such as skunk cabbage were generally much larger in size due to the rainfall and climate conditions.  Skunk cabbage was said to be a favorite "breath mint/snack" for bears emerging from hibernation probably due mainly to its great abundance in early spring.