Petersburg:
The small size of the community and slow traffic speeds makes Petersburg a bicycle friendly community, having adequate bicyclelanes and paved shoulders throughout the community. The Petersburg terminal of the Alaska’s Marine Highway is located in thesouthwest extent of downtown and on the Mitkof Highway Recreation Corridor bike route.
Petersburg has good cycling services and is served by two bike shops. Life Cyclery is a full service shop offering bicyclerepair, new and used bicycles for sale, and rentals. They are located at 402 North Second Street, (907) 650-7387http://locator.trekbikes.com/locator/profile/131073.Petersburg is also served every other week during the summer by Klondike Bike’s mobile bike shop from Wrangell. KlondikeBike is a full service bicycle shop featuring bicycle repair, new and used bicycles for sale, bike rentals and self-guidedtouring information. They are located in Petersburg at 102 South 2nd Avenue, (907)470-4453 http://klondikebike.com/. Petersburg has several gas stations that canprovide a basic level of service. There are no cycling services on the Mitkof Highway Recreation Corridor route. Bicycleracks are located throughout the community and can be found at local destinations including super markets, the ferry terminal,library, and government offices. A separated paved path connects the airport to downtown and the first 1.5 miles of theMitkof Highway.
Summary:
The Mitkof Highway is a major recreation corridor for Petersburg with many biking, camping and interpretive opportunities.The road currently has a limited shoulder, improvements and a potential pathway to mile 27 in conjunction with constructionof the South Mitkof Ferry Terminal is in the works. It is best used as access to other bike routes. Highlights include thepicnic sites at Blind Slough, Blind River Rapids trail which is a wide boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs, a Trumpeter Swanobservatory for viewing these birds and others during migration, and Man Made Hole’s picnic sites.
Activity:
Road and Mountain Biking
Intrinsic Qualities:
Recreation, Cultural
Length:
33.5 miles one way
Elevation:
200 feet elevation gain
Difficulty:
The Mitkof Highway Recreation Corridor is a newly paved roadway with a separated paved path along the first 1.5 milesand then a very limited paved shoulder along the remaining route. The new pavement (2009) and light vehicular traffic makesthis an excellent route for both road and mountain bikes.
Starting Point:
The Mitkof Highway Recreation Corridor starts at the Petersburg terminal of the Alaska Marine Highway and heads southalong the shoreline of Mitkof Island. From the Petersburg Airport head one mile northwest on Haugen Drive to downtown andturn south on South Nordic Drive 0.8 miles to the ferry terminal and the start of Mitkof Highway. Once the new South Mitkofferry terminal is constructed at the south end of the route the starting point could be from either end.
Trip Details (On Highway):
- Ohmer Creek Campground: Located at 22 mile Mitkof Highway. The campground has 10 sites suitable for tents or trailersup to 35 feet long. Each site has a parking pad, picnic table, and grill. Two sites are barrier-free. The campground hasa summer host and drinking water and wheelchair-accessible toilets.
- Ohmer Creek Trail: Located at the campground and offers a barrier-free ‘-mile interpretive trail. Beyond the barrier-freeportion of the trail, a boardwalk trail continues another 1 mile to Snake Ridge Road and loops along the road back to thetrailhead. Ohmer Creek offers trout and salmon fishing in late summer and fall.
- USDA Forest Service -Blind River Rapids Trail (#454) and Recreation Area: This 0.25 mile boardwalk trail leads to apopular fishing spot and recreation area. The trailhead is located at 14.2 mile Mitkof Highway and includes parking and anaccessible outhouse. At the end of the trail is a small day-use shelter. No overnight camping permitted. King salmonreturn to the river in June and July, and silver salmon return in September. Steelhead also run up the slough in April and May.
- USDA Forest Service-Trumpeter Swan Observatory: A small observatory at mile 16.1 miles of Mitkof Highway allowingsheltered photographic and viewing of wintering birds along Wrangell Narrows. Blind Slough is one of two most northernwintering areas for the Trumpeter Swan. Swans can usually be seen November 1 to February 28th.
- Blind Slough Recreation Area: Recreation area along the Wrangell Narrows at mile 17.5 Mitkof Highway. This newfacility includes two large picnic shelters, tables, grills, an accessible restroom, and drinking water. No overnight camping.
- Man Made Hole Recreation Area: Former gravel pit converted to swimming and picnic area located at 20 mile Mitkof Highway.Area includes picnic shelters, picnic tables and grills and a short accessible trail to the swimming ponds. No overnight camping.
- Wilson Creek Recreation Area: Located at mile 27 Mitkof Highway this scenic viewing area and recreation site includespicnic tables and grills. No approved drinking water or overnight camping. Excellent views of Sumner Strait and surrounding islands.
Trip Details (Off Highway):
- Twin Ridge Ski Trail (#606) and Upper Twin Ski Trail (#605): Popular trails for winter activities includingsnowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and sledding that is accessed via Twin Creek Road at 7.5 mile Mitkof Highway. Thetrailheads are at 3.3 and 3.4 miles up The Twin Creek Road which is not maintained for in winter.
- Three Lakes Trail (#600) and Recreation Area: 4.5 mile easy boardwalk trail that is accessed via Three LakesLoop Road (#6235) at either 10 mile or 20 mile Mitkof Highway. The trailhead is located 15 miles (from north) or 6 miles(from south) on Three Lakes Loop Road. The trail connects to several small lakes and includes fishing and berry picking.
- Ideal Cove Trail (#508): Primitive 1.5 mile trail connects the Three Lakes Trail with Ideal Cove. Access is viathe Three Lakes Trail (see above).
Google Earth File:
Click HERE to download a Google Earth file of the bicycleroute. To view profile in Google Earth, right-click on the route in the ‘Places’ window and choose ‘ShowElevation Profile.’ Note: Trail route is approximate. Also, the imagery that Google uses is slightly shifted.
Weather:
HERE isthe official National Weather Service forecast for the trail starting location. To view the current FAA webcam image from Petersburg, click HERE.
