- USE : Hike
- DESCRIPTION : Rough trail from the Medvejie Hatchery to a crystal clear lake set between sheer mountain sides. The trailhead is unmarked and the trail receives infrequent maintenance.
- DISTANCE : 0.75 mile (one way)
- TIME : 1 hour (one way)
- TRAILHEAD : Trail begins off Green Lake Road near Medvejie Hatchery about 3.25 miles past the gate at the end of Sawmill Creek Road. Green Lake Road is closed to public vehicles, but is accessible to those walking, bicycling, or skiing. When you reach the hatchery, turn left past hatchery employee residences and follow the road about a hundred yards uphill to reach the stream. After November 2020 storms washed out the footbridge, hikers must ford the stream. Please only attempt when water levels are low.
- LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY : Moderate.
- LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY : City and Borough of Sitka. The CBS Electric Department is responsible for the Green Lake Road. Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) manages the hatchery.
ACCESS
The “trailhead” for this non-maintained trail is 3.25 miles from the Green Lake Road gate at Herring Cove. The public can park right before the Green Lake Road gate, at a small pullout.
The Green Lake Road is open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Vehicle access is limited to the City Electric Department and NSRAA Hatchery business. Be bear aware, especially during summer spawning season, as bears frequent the area around the hatchery, including the road and the trail. If biking the road, it is best to slow down when going around blind corners or cresting hills to look for bears.
Once you reach the Hatchery, turn left onto a road between hatchery employee residences and walk upstream about a hundred yards. A little before the road end, turn left to reach the stream bank and you should see a rock cairn on the far bank. Signs installed in 2024 direct hikers from the main road to the stream. Descend the steep rocky river bank and cross the river on boulders if the water is low. Recent rains or high spring snow melt can make this stream impassable, so we recommend attempting this hike during drier weather.
Make noise and remain vigilant on the trail, which is heavily used by bears to access the hatchery at the aptly named Bear Cove.
The trail is prone to blowdown and landslides, so be prepared for obstacles. Rubber boots are recommended for the initial stream crossing and for regular muddy sections along the trail.
The route through the hatchery to the trailhead.
The first photo shows the stream crossing after the hatchery. Note the granite rock cairn visible on the far bank.
