Trail Overview
Forest Service Road 2030206 is accessed by Lake Ellen Road West (FS 203000W) from Alaska State Route 929. This is a tree-lined one-lane gravel road that opens up to areas of muskeg and overlooks the hills and valleys as it climbs from 664 to 1461 feet elevation gain. This road has a rougher grade than Lake Ellen Road West, with more potholes and larger rocks. 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. It is not recommended to bring a trailer down this road with the steeper slopes and uneven roadway with drop-offs, and the small turnaround at the end. There are a few areas you can pull over to allow oncoming vehicles to pass. Be careful not to leave the gravel road due to muskeg. 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. 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, 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.
