Some friendships are measured in lunch dates and phone calls. Ours? It’s measured in miles, elevation gain, and blueberry-stained fingers. Today one of my besties and I set out on one of the most beautiful and rugged hikes Ketchikan has to offer: starting at Carlanna Lake, traversing across the ridges of Minerva, Juno, and Ward Mountains, dropping down into Perseverance Lake, following Ward Creek, and finally spilling out at the familiar 3C campground by Ward Lake.
It wasn’t just a hike—it was an adventure through shifting weather, wildlife, and the kind of laughter that carries you up even the steepest switchbacks.
Into the Mist
The morning began shrouded in fog, the kind of dense Southeast Alaska mist that clings to your clothes and curls in your hair. We climbed steadily above Carlanna Lake, each step muffled by damp earth, the forest alive with the smell of cedar and rain-soaked moss. It was quiet except for the occasional blue jay or raven call echoing from the trees, as if they were daring us upward.
The Ridge Line
Reaching Minerva’s ridge was like stepping onto another world. The fog pressed in close, reducing visibility to just a few feet. Ivy and I laughed, in its eerie atmosphere—was there really a mountain view beyond this blanket of gray? Our legs burned as we scrambled up, navigating slick rock and alpine.
And then, almost as if the mountain itself decided to reward us, the clouds broke. The mist tore open in great moving curtains, revealing endless peaks glowing in sunshine, Diana, Dude, and Brown Mountain towering above the clouds. Suddenly, we were standing on top of the world—Minerva, Juno, and Ward stretched out in front of us along our trail like a story waiting to be told. Sunshine warmed our shoulders and the alpine air tasted crisp.
Treasures Along the Way
Our eyes stayed sharp as we moved along the ridges and down into Perseverance. Wildlife and wild foods seemed to greet us at every turn. A Sitka black-tailed deer appeared, darting across a clearing and vanishing quickly into the brush. Along the trail, a tiny frog hopped across Ivy’s boots—small reminders of the delicate life that thrives even in this rugged backcountry.
But the real abundance was in the mushrooms and berries. Bright orange chicken of the woods clung to tree trunks in great shelves, so vibrant against the green forest. Blueberries lined the trail by the handful, slowing us down as we picked and ate, staining our fingers and grinning at our luck. “One hour of lollygagging for berries,” we joked, as if it wasn’t worth every single minute.
Down to the Lakes
The descent into Perseverance Lake was long, steep, and breathtaking. The water shimmered below us like a mirror of blue sky. From there, the trail followed Ward Creek, winding along the rushing water, before easing out into the familiar circle of Ward Lake.
By the time our boots hit the campground pavement, our bodies were sore, our packs lighter, and our spirits impossibly full.
Why It Matters
Hiking a trail like this isn’t just about exercise. It’s about presence. It’s about the conversations you only have when you’ve been moving side by side for hours, when you’ve sweated, laughed, and sat in silence together. It’s about seeing the world peel back its layers—fog to sunshine, mist to view—and realizing that’s exactly what friendship does too.
We counted one deer, one frog, lots of goat hair & tracks, countless mushrooms, and endless blueberries. But what we’ll really carry with us is the memory of summiting together, standing above the clouds, and knowing we’re lucky enough to call this place—and each other—ours.
trailandtruth.blog 
Leave a comment