FKT: John Kirlin - Deer Mountain Traverse (Ketchikan, AK) - 2022-07-19

Athletes
Route variation
Standard point-to-point
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
4h 42m 25s
GPS track(s)
Report

Out for a visit and saw this traverse. I found some pretty decent beta through a local trails book and quick research online. Decided to start at Silvas Lakes Trail Head as to have better options for my wife and daughter while they waited for me to finish.

I was hoping for 4hours or less but got caught up taking photos and just moved slower due to the conditions of the trail. The climbs and descents are steep and technical. The alpine ridge had more descending and climbing that I anticipated. There was a lot of moisture which made for some slippery rocks and roots. A bit of snow up top but honestly made those sections faster. Saw a few year-old bears in the higher elevations but the scurried away pretty quickly. Bear spray would be good to have. Ran into a few mountain goats as well and of course they were on the steepest sections.