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Post by surfindave on Jun 2, 2007 19:28:05 GMT -5
Trail Name: Woody Island
Date Traveled: 2 June 2007
Names of Trail Travelers:Andy Schroeder, David Boschee
Type of Trail (Standard Terra, Water, Snow): Terra
Trail Classification (1=Primitive/Undeveloped, 2=Simple/Minor Developed, 3=Developed/Improved, 4=Highly Developed, 5=Fully Developed): The main trails on Woody Island are cat. 3, but on reaching the end of the easternmost trail there are cat 1-2 trails that parallel the cliffs to the north and south.
Trail Use Description: Woody Island is isloated and is accesible only by boat or kayak. The island is unihnabited with the exception of seasonal camps for childen. Expect to meet no other hikers. The trails are extensive enough to make the trek an enjoyable day trip with fantastic views of Long Island and Kodiak itself.
Use: Please note Your Use, Observed Uses, or Suggested Uses
Hiker/Pedestrian
Bicycle
Kayak
Landmarks & Navigational Tips: Being a small island, it is impossible to get lost on Woody Island. There is a main trial that runs east/west, is 2 miles long, and goes from one side of the island to the other. There is also a trail that runs north/south around midway down the east/west trail.
Other Comments
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Post by kodpvd on Jun 4, 2007 22:54:16 GMT -5
Uninhabited is not really true... There is a homestead on the west side facing the City of Kodiak. The owner has expressed concern over theft of his property by visitors, so please be respectful. The FAA also has a navigation site located there. Lesnoi Native Corportation owns land on the west side. The State of Alaska Land Atlas for Kodiak does a decent job of outlining the various ownership information.
Most of the islands near the harbor area are privately owned.
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Post by Hans Tschersich on Jun 5, 2007 0:26:02 GMT -5
I have hiked and bushwacked extensively on the island and got to know it quite well. It can be quite disorienting in the dense forest since one valley or ridge looks like the next. Finally one will probably reach the coast somewhere and get oriented again - but that could be quite an exhaustive hike till then. Just a warning to those who get lost on the way to Termination point: There are few trails on Woody island and you will probably get lost and turned around more easily than at Termination Point if you do not stick to the road.
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Post by surfindave on Jun 5, 2007 1:42:26 GMT -5
After I posted this I remembered being told there was someone living on Woody Island. I heard that a few years ago and didn't know if it was still true.
Thanks for bringing that point up.
And thanks Hans for mentioning that it is possible to get disoriented. I should have written "nearly impossible." It's possible to get lost anywhere. I'm not proud to admit it, but I've gotten lost in stores before - and of course I didn't have a compass with me. I'm never prepared.
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Post by Andy Schroeder on Jun 5, 2007 6:52:03 GMT -5
I was hiking with Surfin Dave on Trails Day as well. Here's a picture of him along the trail near the northeast side of the island.  The island and trail system are all visible in good resolution on Google Earth. I hadn't known Woody Island was inhabited, but when we were there I did notice someone had been making some clean up efforts. I'd agree with Hans. Stick to the roads in most areas. The paddle on the way there is relatively calm except in north to northeasterly seas. Keep an eye on the currents in Woody Island channel. They're navigable at any tide but are still to be reckoned with. Haul out on the sandy spit near the old pier (57-45-54N 152-21-36W). At the center of the island, about a mile inland from the haul out, is an intersection. From here you can continue east or go northeast. I would classify the road sytem as Class 4/5. Though built for vehicle travel, today it is best left to hikers and bikers. It is wide, hardened, and generally clear of brush. For a great multi-sport day, my girlfriend and I have paddled over there and run the road system end-to-tend, then paddled back. I usually stay away from the Camp Woody area, but anyone familiar with it or invited might have fun reading up on all the history that took place on Woody Island. Tanginak lake, the Baptist orphanage, the old Russian-American Ice company, etc. One great resource is This Koniag Country, written by Mike Rostad et al. It has a chapter devoted to Woody Island and lots of historical photos. The northeast trail gradually descends to a sandy beach with northeast exposure. Here is where the above photo was taken. The trail is hardened in places with logs laid crosswise, which works very well as the trail descends through bogs & marshes. On the east end of the East-West route you will climb to a grassy bluff. This is where the old FAA housing area was before burning down in 1979. The last of the ruins were removed only a few years ago. From here you can enter the woods to the south and descend to a nice beach area, where you will find a natural bridge rock formation (57-45-56N 152-19-42W). This is a class 1 trail, utilizing mostly game trails with some human travel. You'll know you're on the right path when you see a series of downed trees that were never harvested as you descend with the ocean on your left. Don't know what these trees were felled for, but it was many years ago as they are blanketed with moss. |
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