Trail Overview
FS 2000300 Road is accessed from Alaska State Route 929 on the opposite side of the road from Lake Ellen Road West (FS 203000W). The one-lane gravel road starts out with a large clearing with brush, and new tree growth covering the area before winding through hills where the road is lined with trees, shrubs, grass, and ferns. Passing over a bridge with a larger creek below, you can see scenic views of hills, peaks, valleys, and creeks along this trail as it gains and drops in elevation from 283 to 590 feet on this section of the trail. There are some pull-out areas to allow oncoming vehicles to pass. There is grass growing in the centerline and water in the ditches, with some of the hill slopes near the road showing signs of erosion. This road has a rougher grade with more potholes and larger rocks, dips, and whoops. This is a nice scenic road with areas that drop off and other sections connected to muskeg and trees. At the end of the trail, there is a small turnaround. There are majestic views of hills and peaks with old-growth trees looming beside the road. It is not recommended to bring a trailer down this road with the steeper slopes and uneven roadway. We didn’t see a turnaround area, but there were a couple of spots to park or back into. You can see Sitka spruce, Western Hemlock, Red cedar, Yellow cedar, poplar, and birch, as well as lichen, moss, ferns, and dense old-growth forests and flowers in this temperate rainforest. There is wildlife in this area. Be safety-minded for Black bears, changing weather conditions, and sudden changes to the road due to rain and landslides. Always plan your trip with basic survival items and local wildlife safety in mind, in case you get stuck in-between roads during a road washout or landslide. There are limited resources here for clearing roads. It is advisable to have a contact and some form of tracker so that your contact can make sure you are on plan and not stuck somewhere. This road connects to other recreational roads and is not a main road for travel. Prince of Wales has Black Bear, Sitka black-tailed deer, Alexander Archipelago Wolves, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Mink, Marten, Beaver, Ermine, and Flying Squirrels, along with a variety of Marine life and Sea Birds. Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead run in the rivers and creeks here. Weather plays a part in the level of difficulty, as this is in a rainforest, and a lot of these roads go through areas of muskeg/wetlands and hills. There are great views of tree-lined, winding roads, hills, and creeks. Tall grass, ferns, a variety of trees, lichens, moss, muskeg, forest, and flowers can be seen, as well as scenic landscapes. Warnings: Keep on the road and watch hillsides for landslides, watch for falling or down trees, and be cautious of water over the roadway. Watch for signs of road deterioration or washouts due to heavy rainfall. No cell service noted. Check weather conditions and be prepared for rain, fog with low visibility, and lower temperatures. It is a rainforest. Suggested best time of year: June - October.
