Deer Mountain Trailhead - Ketchikan, Alaska

YNWA Montgomery

Awesome hike. Went about two-thirds up we reckon. It was a little challenging but extremely fun. The snow and ice wasn't great, but the journey and the views were amazing!! Would love to do this in the summer.

Josh L

What a mystical and magical hill. Coming from the Rocky Mountains, I'd call this trail a bit strenuous on the climb up the first mile or so, at which point there is a small break in the forest and you can take in the landscape from a phenomenonal vantage point. Beyond that, the trail is less steep and can extend several miles into the surrounding rain forest.
It took me about an hour to get a mile in, because HOLY SHIT you must pause every few steps to simply take it all in. The ecological treasures here are immense and demand your full attention. Engaging dialogue from the many Ravens, secrets being whispered by the Cedars and Ferns... the soft caress of a misty rain shower, which perpetually feeds the many small springs that ooze trickles of water from the side of this hill. A stunning peek into our precious world, and ironically just a short walk from the dock where they lasso those gargantuan spreaders of pollution, disease, and waste that are called "cruise ships".

Devon NeSmith

Beautiful hike but it is difficult. It is uphill the whole time. The views are worth it. We loved it. Highly recommend waterproof hiking boots/shoes

Hope Werner

This is a great hike, within walking distance of downtown Ketchikan so you don't need a car or shuttle to get there. Great views of the town. Beautiful rainforest.

Jeff Fusco

Walked from cruise ship. Suggest Uber or taxi. Cool hike!! Made it to the look out in a little over an hour. +1100ft Found out Blue Lake was a 4-5 mile hike?

Deborah Guthrie

While definitely a strenuous hike as you keep hiking up log steps and fallen shall rock pathways, the one mile hike we accomplished to the lookout point was worth it and doable by all levels of hikers in our group. It took our group 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach this point at midday. Our age range was 72 - 29. This was a free excursion we opted for during our port day in Ketchikan on our Royal Caribbean Alaskan cruise. Worth it.

Tip: If we had gotten a ride from the cruise ship to the trailhead, we would’ve saved time and been able to hike further.

Robert Dzialak

Was tough, harder than I expected. Hiking from sea level up to 900+ m would be fine, but last 250 m of height was in snow (June 7).
Trail was 1 to 2 meters below the snow so it did not help too much :-). In some areas it was so steep that I grabbed two sticks and using them and boots climbed like an icy slope with crampons. But slope just opened a vast space below with fiords, gently mountains and lakes. Top was partially without snow. Altogether there and back it took me 5 hours.

Result: I have to buy new shoes, I just damaged old ones.
But vistas were amazing. Judge yourself.
In July it will be a wonderful walk and you do not need to sacrify your shoes :-).

Dan C

Great hike with a fun view at the 1 mile mark. We hiked with young children. Would recommend it as great hike coming off a cruise ship.