KETCHIKAN is Alaska's 4th largest city and it is no more than 4 blocks wide but stretches over 32 miles along the Tongass Narrows. Like other Southeast Alaska towns, KETCHIKAN grew because of substantial gold and other mineral finds in nearby hills. I incorporated in 1900 when it was just a boomtown of 1,000 miners, fishermen and saloon-keepers. By the 30's over a dozen salmon canneries produced more than a million pounds a year, giving this city the title of "Salmon capital of the world". By the mid 70's the fishing industry nearly collapsed. Salmon have made a remarkable comeback since, and the lumber industry is still a part of the city's economy.
KETCHIKAN also has the dubious reputation as "Rain Capital of Alaska". Average annual rainfall if 162 inches with measurable precipitation on 240 days of the year.
Our shore excursion was to the MISTY FJORDS NATIONAL MONUMENT and for 5 hours we were on a very comfortable Catamaran seeing the pristine rivers and streams, ice fields, forested mountains, tumbling waterfalls and glacial lakes. No roads lead into this untamed land; only ships and planes make it accesible.
LEAVING CRYSTAL SYMPHONY.
MONUMENT
SCENERY
WATERFALLS
HARBOR FROM OUR VERANDAH
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