A popular hiking trail on the mainland near Petersburg is getting some major renovation work this summer.
The Cascade Creek trail, in Thomas Bay on the mainland about 16 miles northeast of Petersburg, will see reconstruction of about one half mile of the trail’s four mile length.
The lower falls at Cascade Creek are a short hike from the trail head near Thomas Bay.
The lower section of the pathway sees regular use by small cruise ship companies that take passengers for a hike near the lower falls of Cascade Creek. The U.S. Forest Service has contracted with a Ketchikan company called Alaska Clearing to rebuild a portion of old wooden walkway and replace a bridge across the creek. The project will cost around 290,000 dollars and it’s being paid for with fees from other nearby commercial activities on the Tongass National Forest. Joe Viechnicki spoke with Brad Hunter, wilderness and recreation staff officer at the Petersburg Ranger District about the trail project.
The company started work July 15 and will continue until August 8th. The contractor plans to take a break until September and then work again in September and October. Most of the construction is expected to happen this year although the bridge replacement will likely happen next year. The Forest Service expects some trail closures during the project.
For a view of the old Cascade Creek trail, check out this 2011 video posted by Un-Cruise Adventures.
