Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area is the name of over 2 million miles of coastal Alaskan rainforest that is protected for visitors and ecological preservation. It is strikingly beautiful with light-colored granite, crystal turquoise waters and emerald forests. About 50 to 70 million years old, glaciers gouged deep “U” shaped troughs throughout the monument. This created canals where deep, narrow waterways are formed by steep cliffs that rise thousands of feet in the air. Visit this phenomenal part of Alaska to see an wilderness area so astounding you won’t believe it is real.
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area, Ketchikan Gateway Borough
The National Monument is 2,142,243 acres and was congressionally designated to protect this beautiful wilderness area. It remains the largest wilderness area in the Tongass National Forest.
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area Official Facebook The national monument designation prohibits the following: commercial enterprise (except for outfitter and guides), permanent and temporary roads, the use of motor vehicles and motorized equipment except snowmobiles, motorboats, and fixed wing airplanes, mechanized form of transport (i.e. bicycles, wheelbarrows), the damaging of live trees and construction of structures and installations, and the landing of helicopters. These strict rules keep the wilderness area pristine.
Over 17,000 years ago this area was covered with massive bodies of ice. As the ice disappeared, it carved away gloriously long, deep fjords. Although not icy now, the weather is cool and rainy year-round.
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area Official Facebook
The ice carved deep and dramatic grooves which are known as canals, although they were not man-made like most canals, but carved naturally.
Christopher Chan | Flickr
Behm Canal is the major waterway through the heart of the area. Travel either by boat or floatplane here. The forest is home to Alaskan brown bears, black bears, mountain goats and deer.
Peter Lee | Flickr
There are unique geological features in this magical land from mineral springs and volcanic lava flows can be found deep within this wilderness monument.
doreen ODonovan | Flickr
Voyage close to the Canadian border through the many king salmon spawning streams and the glaciers that once created this mystic landscape.
doreen ODonovan | Flickr
Thirteen public recreation cabins, five shelters, and ten trails that provide over twenty miles of hiking activity provide lots of opportunity for exploration!
mark byzewski | Flickr
Along with numerous recreational opportunities, this designated wilderness area protects ecosystems from development. They provide us with clean air and water, and where humans are only visitors.
Alan Wu | Flickr
Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and Western Red Cedar dominate the miles of rainforest. The coastal waters are filled with salmon and a bit farther, whales frequent the ocean.
LH Wong | Flickr
The Tongass National Forest is the largest, intact coastal rainforest in America. Misty Fjords is a piece of this pristine wilderness and is treasured protected for Alaskans and visitors now and for the future.
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area Official Facebook
Here are some of the Some Of The Least Visited National Parks In The Country Are In Alaska And They’re Incredibly Beautiful. Head here because This Just Might Be The Most Beautiful Hike In All Of Alaska.
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area, Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area Official Facebook
The national monument designation prohibits the following: commercial enterprise (except for outfitter and guides), permanent and temporary roads, the use of motor vehicles and motorized equipment except snowmobiles, motorboats, and fixed wing airplanes, mechanized form of transport (i.e. bicycles, wheelbarrows), the damaging of live trees and construction of structures and installations, and the landing of helicopters. These strict rules keep the wilderness area pristine.
Christopher Chan | Flickr
Peter Lee | Flickr
doreen ODonovan | Flickr
mark byzewski | Flickr
Alan Wu | Flickr
LH Wong | Flickr
Have you been to Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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