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Misty Fjord National Monument. Photo by Enrico –

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about the Misty Fjords National Monument

Over 2,200, 000 acres were proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978 as the Misty Fjords National Monument. It is the largest wilderness area in the Tongas National Forest. Misty Fjords National Monument is a quiet and protected wilderness area in southeast Alaska near Ketchikan.  Its landscape is breathtaking featuring the mountain views, fjords, forests, and wildlife.

The region was first visited by the Europeans in 1793. This is when George Vancouver explored up Behm Canal which is the prominent sea-filled glacial trough the western margin of the monument. It is separated from Revillagigedo island. Also, Vancouver discovered the New Eddy stone  Rock. It is a tall column of basalt in the middle of the Behm canal.

Misty Fjord is part coastal rainforest and the cloud-shrouded receives 160 inches of rain annually. It is marked by a deep valley with steep slopes and sharp ridges formed by volcanism and carved by glaciation. The slopes seem to be an unbroken carpet of cedar, spruce, and hemlock. The forest floor stands open at numerous muskegs dominated by the sphagnum vegetation.

The recommended and the most popular way to visit the Misty Fjord National Monument is by use of air and sea.

1. Wildlife at Misty Fjords National Monument 

Wild animals such as brown and black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats river otters, harbor seals wolverine, wolves killer whales, Dall porpoise, and bald eagles are the most animals found in Misty Fjord. Including the five pacific salmon, birds, and other sea life.

2. The  New Eddy stone in Misty fjords

New Eddy stone rock has a majestic 237-foot basalt pillar. The rock was a volcanic vent five million years ago. It is shaped by glaciers. The tree-covered tower stands in Behm Canal which s between Revillagigedo Island. It is the entrance to the Misty Fjords National Monument. The New Eddy Stone Rock has become the most popular sight. The European navigator, George Vancouver documented his discovery in1793.

3. Waterfall Misty Fjord National monument 

 Freshwaters form the mountain rush from the 1000-3000feet down the glacier-formed cliff. It is the saltwater of Rudyerd Bay in the Misty Fjords National Monument. Its source is from the snowmelt in the spring and the constant rain during the summer. The wettest month is October.

4. Tongass National forest in Misty Fjords

Tongass National Forest is the largest, intact coastal rainforest in America. The forest covers most of southeast Alaska. The surrounding offers opportunities to view the eagles, bears, and spawning salmon. The forest has been divided into ten. Some ranger districts  might include of 

• Juneau Ranger District surrounds the largest city in southwest Alaska and the Capitol of the State. It is the headquarters of the nearby Admiralty Island National Monument known as the Kootznoowoo wilderness Area and the pack creek Brown Beer viewing Area. Most visitors learn about the Tongass, view glaciers, camp, and access the trails at the Menden hall Glacier Visitor center and recreation area.
• Hoonah Ranger  D district encompasses the Chicago Island. The Island is known for its high density of brown bears. Hoonah District is among the largest Tlingit villages that offer various cultural sites and events.
• Sitka Ranger District is located on the outer coast of the Gulf of Alaska. Mount Edgecumbe Volcanic field is a unique feature found in the district. The road system provides opportunities to hunt, fish, hike, pick berries, mountain bike, and watch wildlife.

5. The largest breeding colonies  of Aleutian Tern  in Misty Fjords

Yakutat ranger district is one of the ten districts in the Tongass national forest. It is the most northern of the ranger district. It is located on the mainland of Alaska. The district is surrounded by tall mountains and massive glaciers. It has a setting on the Gulf of Alaska that provides the area with sandy beaches, waves suitable for surfing, and world-class fishing on the Situk River. The Yakutat foreland is an area for migratory birds and hot the largest known breeding colony of Aleutian Tern.

6. Incredible facilities and camping sites 

Misty Fjords National Monument has 13- public-use cabins that can be reserved in advance. It has four shelters that are available for the first comes and first serves. These cabins and shelters are accessible by plane, boating/or hiking. Also, two forest service campgrounds are accessible by road from Ketchikan.

Kayaks can be rented in Ketchikan and include the drop-off and pick-up services within the Monument. These services can be arranged along with the guided trips.

7. Geology of Misty Fjords National Monument

Misty Fjords National Monument wilderness is mainly characterized by 50 to 70 million-year-old granite crags, glacial valleys, deep fjords, and sharp intervalley ridges. That was shaped by volcanism,  faulting, and glaciation.

Behm canal travels through the heart of the park and separates the two terranes- coastal mountains batholith and the Taku terrane on the Revillagigedo island. An estimation of 120 million years ago the land has now occupied the park where the collision took place in North America. That has resulted in the faulting and folding of the local rock strata.

 The rock forced upward was eroded and fragments and rock forced downward encountered the extremes of heat and pressure altering the mineral composition. Modern geologic history began during the last glacial maximum. It was covered by a thick sheet of ice.  The most impressive geologic feature in the area is the New Eddy stone rock.

8. Ketchikan City in Misty Fjords National Monument

The city is located at the southernmost entrance of Alaska. It is the inside passage that serves as the gateway to Misty Fjords National Monument wilderness. Ketchikan city is rich in Alaska native culture. It is also known for its art, attraction, and sightseeing tours. 

Ketchikan city provides a variety of accommodations to visitors including beds and breakfasts, hostels, hotels, motels, lodges, and resorts. The city can be accessed by use of a plane and also connect the Alaska marine highway to Bellingham, Washington.

9. Hiking in Misty Fjords National Monument 

The Misty Fjord wilderness is a remote and undeveloped area. There are 10 trails in the wilderness that provide hiking opportunities. When hiking in the Misty Fjords wilderness one is advised to be prepared with appropriate skills and confidence to navigate off-trail and in foul weather. Also, hikers are advised to equip themselves with a pack of tents, stoves, and extra food regardless of the availability of cabins in the wilderness.

10. Floatplane/  flightseeing and boat tours

The most popular recommend to experience and see the Misty Fjords National Monument wilderness is by flightseeing/  cruise from Ketchikan. The waterfront views of the park are the most incredible natural features including the Rudyerd Bay, Punchbowl cove, and walker cove. The floatplane/flightseeing tours take one into the heart of the park. Where one can experience and see the untouched areas of Alaska far from the hoard of cruise ship passengers that flock to more accessible areas.