Michael Miller asked:
You hear a lot about the Alaska Marine Highway System, and no wonder. It’s been around for more than four decades now doing yeoman service for Alaskans and Alaska visitors who are looking for a ferry cruise from the “Lower 48” states to Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound,and even to the Aleutian Islands. It’s been a perennial huge hit.
But have you heard about Alaska’s “other” ferry system – the passenger and vehicle ships of the Inter-Island Ferry Authority?
Unless you live in Ketchikan or in one of the communities on Prince of Wales Island or in Wrangell or Petersburg the name probably means little to you. That may change.
What they have – the people who live in these Southeast Alaska communities – is a really splendid little ferry operation connecting three islands and more than a half dozen communities to each other and the outside world. For Alaskans or visitors from “Outside” who are looking for an easily accessible “Off the Beaten Path” experience for a few days or longer the routes of the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) can be ideal.
Two Vessels
This pleasurable travel opportunity is possible because of IFA’s two vessels: the m/v Prince of Wales which entered service in 2002 and the new-in-’06 m/v Stikine. Both ships are 98 feet long and can carry 160 passengers and 35 standard-size autos. And make no mistake about it, these are no plain and simple utility craft. Each contains a comfortable forward observation lounge with recliner chairs, reading room, a “quiet room” for passengers who need privacy, galley and restaurant, and a solarium. And attention parents or grandparents traveling with children: Each ferry contains a youngster’s playroom.
Prince of Wales connects Ketchikan twice daily in summertime with Hollis on Prince of Wales Island (POW) and 1,100 miles of paved and gravel roads. These highways run through forests and alongside streams, lakes, saltwater inlets and bays. The fishing can range from good to grand and the wildlife viewing and birding can be equally superb. Colorful totem parks exist in Hydaburg, Kaasan, and Klawock. And for a walking tour unique in Alaska the U.S. Forest Service offers escorted underground excursions (bring your own flashlights) through the El Capitan limestone caves in the northern portion of POW. (The USFS asks for two days notice; call 1-907-828-3304 for details.)
Especially for visitors with RVs or autos the travel opportunities are the stuff of dreams. You’ll find a number of government and private campgrounds and if you’re not a camper don’t despair. Friendly Alaskan hosts run lodges and B&Bs in the larger communities on the island as well as in Wrangell and Petersburg where you’ll find comfortable hotels as well. After a day or two (or a week or two) of exploring POW travelers have only to drive to Coffman Cove Thursdays through Sundays to catch the new Stikine for a two-hour, 45 -minute ride to Wrangell on the island of the same name. The Stikine then proceeds on a one-hour journey to the southern end of Mitkof Island and 25 miles of road travel to Petersburg. Wrangell and Petersburg also are served by the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Wrangell and Petersburg
You may have heard about many of the visitor attractions in Wrangell and Petersburg. At Wrangell you can book Stikine River tours up one of America’s swiftest flowing navigable rivers, as well as a daycruise to observe and photograph the bears at Anan Creek. Too, you can view ancient petroglyphs along the city’s shoreline, play a round of Muskeg Meadows golf, or take in a flick at the community’s new movie theater. On Chief Shakes Island in the middle of the community boat harbor you’ll find one of the most varied and photogenic totem parks in the Alaska panhandle. The Tlingit tribal house on the island is no small item of interest as well.
Petersburg, known as “Little Norway” because of its Nordic heritage and d
