Haines AK

6/16 – 6/19/2016 – After arriving at Haines at 2:30am, we pulled into a rest area and spent the night instead of disturbing the entire campground.  Later in the morning we drove to Haines and  checked into Haines Hitch-up RV Park which was billed as the largest and most polished campground in town by our Travelers Guide to Alaska Camping, and they were absolutely correct.  Surely the nicest campground we have seen in our Canada and Alaska journeys thus far. 

 

I also got my golf fix at the Valley of Eagles Golf Course, a local nine hole course which is basically a cow pasture with artificial turf greens, and one redeeming quality, magnificent scenery. 

 

Afterward we decided to take in the downtown area to visit the shops, museums, art studio’s and toured Ft William H. Seward, a National Historic Site and Alaska’s first permanent Army base, carved out of the Alaskan Wilderness in 1903 as a response to the lawlessness brought on by the Gold Rush in the territory.  Today the forts buildings are private residences, shops, restaurants, a distillery, B&B's, and a hotel. 

The city of Haines is probably the most picturesque city that we have seen in Alaska so far surrounded by glacier covered mountains and crystal blue waters.  The 1991 Disney movie “White Fang” was filmed here as well as the Discovery Channel reality show “Gold Rush”.  It is also home to the largest congregation of eagles each November where up to 3,500 bald eagles gather each year in the Chilkat Valley to feast on chum salmon. 

 

The next day we spent hiking and exploring several state parks in the area and although we didn’t spot any bears, we were entertained by  some 8 to 10 eagles “sharing” some fish on the beach on way home from Chilkoot Lake State Park.

Portage Cove State Park

 

 

  

Chilkat State Park

 

 

Chilkoot Lake State Park

 

 


Our last day in Haines we were treated to the weekly farmers market, the 24^th Annual Kluane to Chikat International Bike Relay (150 miles), and the 9^th Annual Fisherman’s Community King Salmon BBQ and it was delicious and only $5 donation, what great timing….LOL