Trail Overview
Gutchi Creek Road (FS 2058000) can be accessed by Tuxekan Passage Road on one side and North Island Road on the other side. Gutchi Creek is a tree-lined, one-lane, hilly, gravel road that passes over Gutchi Creek and Naukati Creek on narrow bridges, through dense forest and open areas with Muskeg, and ponds. This is a through road. You can see Sitka spruce, Western Hemlock, Red cedar, Yellow cedar, poplar, and birch, as well as lichen, moss, ferns, dense old-growth forests, and muskeg 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 incase you get stuck 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. 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, peaks, and creeks. Tall grass, ferns, a variety of trees, lichens, moss, and muskeg intermingle with a forest full of ferns and skunk cabbage in this scenic landscape. Warnings: Keep on the road and watch hillsides for landslides, watch for falling or downed trees, 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.
