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A steep climb up to amazing views of Sitka Sound.


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Map Key

1.7

Miles

2.7

KM

42%

Runnable

2,441' 744 m

High

75' 23 m

Low

2,367' 722 m

Up

2' 1 m

Down

26%

Avg Grade (15°)

69%

Max Grade (35°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Need to Know

Signs currently indicate that runners should only park in the spots closest to the trailhead sign, not in the overgrown private lot to the east of the building.

Runner Notes

Very rough tread in parts makes it difficult to sustain a constant run on the way down. On the way up, good luck with that elevation gain.

Description

The Mount Verstovia Trail starts at a small pull-off from Sawmill Creek Road. Look for a few cars parked in a gravel lot and a trail sign. The lower section of the trail has sections of boardwalk that transport hikers across some mucky areas as the trail passes by a hillside neighborhood mostly out of side, then quickly disappears into the secluded forest.

The steep terrain offers quite a few difficulties for trail construction and recent signs of new step construction and blowdown clearing show that local crews continue to conduct maintenance to keep the route passable. The trail offers two separate good viewpoints on the way up, usually a necessary excuse to catch your breath. Above the second viewpoint, the trail starts switchbacking up the steep slopes in earnest before gaining a ridge that delivers you to an open meadow below the summit.

Most folks end the run at the 2,500-foot knoll known locally as Picnic Rock or simply, Mount Verstovia. Topographic maps label the towering Rocky summit above 3,000 feet as Mount Verstovia, but it is more commonly known locally as Arrowhead Peak. The trail does continue on to Arrowhead, but the scramble up the backside of the craggy peak should only be attempted in good weather by surefooted and navigationally confident runners.

Contacts

Shared By:

Ben H with improvements by Sitka Trail Works

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#4

in Sitka

#9461

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#4

in Sitka

#115

in Alaska

#9,461

Overall
2 Views Last Month
156 Since Aug 20, 2020
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Photos

A shot from Picnic Rock showing the Sisters on the left, Arrowhead in the center, and Bear Mountain above Silver Bay on the right.
Aug 20, 2020 near Sitka, AK

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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