This is a 3-5 hour outing which is located close to the city of Sitka. It is an interesting hike whether you are visiting for a day on a cruise as I did, or spending some time in Sitka. The Mt Verstovia trail is a good 2.5 mile trail leading up to Picnic Rock (5 miles roundtrip). If you have time and energy, from Picnic Rock you can continue another mile (gaining ~1,300') along a much less traveled trace heading over to the summit of Mount Verstovia (AKA Mt Arrowhead).
Final steps to summit
Getting There
Trail in clouds
To find the trailhead, take Sawmill Creek Blvd east out of town a couple of miles. A few hundred feet after you pass Chirikov Drive look for a trailhead sign on the north (left) side of Sawmill Creek Blvd.
summit view of Sitka
Hike up the Mount Verstovia trail about 2.5 miles gaining 2,550’ and you will reach Picnic Rock Peak. There are a couple of viewpoints along the trail where you can catch glimpses of Sitka below you. The first is about ¾ mile from the start and about 800’ elevation. The second is another ½ mile up the trail.
First viewpoint
Red Tape
View of Mount Verstovia from summit of Picnic Rock
There is no red tape involved to climb this mountain
