KETCHIKAN GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Talbot Lake Hike: A Fireside Walk into the Tongass
A guided 3- to 3.5-hour, 3-mile roundtrip hike through old-growth rainforest to a lakeside campfire—useful for planning timing, logistics, and what’s provided on the trail.
Talbot Lake Hike: A Fireside Walk into the Tongass.
Walk among giants in the Tongass National Forest on a guided hike that threads old-growth western hemlock, Sitka spruce and red and yellow cedar toward a mist-softened Talbot Lake. Over roughly three hours you’ll learn the ecology and logging history of the area, watch for beaver activity and brook trout, and finish at a campfire where hot chocolate and S’mores are served before the return.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Talbot Lake fireside stop
The trail culminates at Talbot Lake where guides build a cozy campfire; guests are offered hot chocolate, S’mores and warm beverages while taking in the lake, often blanketed in soft mist.
Old-growth rainforest
A 3-mile roundtrip trail winds through towering stands of western hemlock, Sitka spruce and red and yellow cedar, with seasonal wildflowers, berries and mushrooms lining the path.
Active wildlife and living history
Guides narrate the area’s flora and fauna—beavers are active along the trail and brook trout can be seen in streams—while describing the region’s logging past and its place within the 17 million acre Tongass National Forest.
What the day feels like
What the hike feels like
The outing moves at a guided, interpretive pace: a short vehicle transfer places you at the trailhead, a forest walk of about three miles roundtrip brings you through quiet stands and past beaver-worked streams, and the group pauses at the lake for a fireside refreshment before returning to the waiting transfer vehicle.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this hike is appropriate for
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The operator provides a rain poncho and fireside snacks and drinks—coffee, tea, hot chocolate and S’mores are served during the campfire stop.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The guided tour is approximately 3 hours (3.5 hours for ships docked downtown Ketchikan).
How long is the trail?
The hike follows a roughly 3-mile roundtrip forest trail.
What is the minimum age to join?
Participants must be at least 5 years old.
Are rain ponchos or shelter provided?
A rain poncho is provided by the operator.
Are refreshments included?
Yes; the campfire stop includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate and S’mores.
How far is the trailhead from downtown or local meeting points?
The trailhead is about a 15-minute drive from The Mill at Ward Cove or roughly 30 minutes from the downtown cruise ship piers.