If Sitka is anything, says Scott Harris, it’s diverse.
From untouched glaciers clinging to snowy mountain peaks to rainforest river valleys lush with the evergreen of Sitka spruce groves. From the stark beauty of a dormant volcano to the rugged islands jutting out of the Pacific Ocean. Natural beauty spills from the town of Sitka, an area that’s home to many species of land and ocean animals as wild as the landscape they inhabit.
According to Scott, president of Harris Air, the most unique place to see all of that unbridled nature is the sky.
“Sometimes, maybe there are killer whales or a large pod of whales around,” he says. “They’re not far away, and there’s scenic beauty, so we’ll take people over to see it. There’s nothing like seeing wildlife from the air. If you’ve seen whales from a boat… it’s amazing to see them from up above.”
The unpredictability of nature in Alaska requires flexibility. On Harris Air’s flight seeing tours, Scott’s team analyzes weather, conditions and the wishes of their passengers to make the most of their time touring Alaska from the company’s float plane. Different than even the neighboring cities Ketchikan or Juneau, Sitka offers unrivaled variety, the ability to move around weather and enjoy a water landing on a pristine alpine lake.
“We don’t do a canned tour,” Scott says. “If one of my guys sees a bunch of bears or knows where the mountain goats are or something of interest, then that’s the place we’re going. We are pretty diverse, and no two tours are the same.”
It was immersion in nature that initially drew Scott to Sitka. As an aviation mechanic in the Coast Guard, he arrived to the town four years out of high school, ready to see Alaska and experience what Sitka had to offer. Once his tour of fixing search and rescue helicopters in the Coast Guard was complete, Scott and his wife decided to stay in Sitka. As time went on, Scott filled a need in the community when he bought a three-passenger plane and hired a pilot.
HARRIS AIR
An Eagle's View
Photo: Bethany Goodrich, Sitka Conservation Society
Coast Guard was complete, Scott and his wife decided to stay in Sitka. As time went on, Scott filled a need in the community when he bought a three-passenger plane and hired a pilot.
Now Scott’s business has evolved to serve two main customers: commuter jet riders looking to get around Southeast Alaska and float plane passengers on flight seeing tours or who need transportation to a remote lodge or secret corner of the vast wilderness.
“We’ll take a guide and people out for fishing in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon,” Scott says. “They spend their whole day on the river somewhere. It’s usually a remote location with nobody else there so they can enjoy the day in that kind of environment.”
With unpredictable weather and the requirement to navigate visually, however, the float plane’s schedule can change. But, Scott explains, safety is the undisputed authority, and his team brings years of local experience to keep his customers safe.
Though some aspects of the tours can be unforeseeable, one thing remains certain: Passengers will have an unforgettable experience. Harris Air flight seeing tours allow passengers the opportunity to experience Sitka as the eagles do—flying over mountaintops, gliding across the ocean waves and cutting through the clouds—and Scott’s passion to share the untouched beauty of Sitka is clear in each tour offered.
“Sitka is a place almost like none other,” Scott says. “It’s a wonderful place to live, and on top of that, it’s a stunning place.”
To book a flight or learn more about Harris Air, visit: harrisair.com
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Tucked into quiet coves and isolated islands, simple but sturdy wood Forest Service cabins can accommodate groups from two to 12. Many of these off-the-grid cabins feature a homemade swing, hammock or deck to enjoy with friends or sit and quietly observe the abundant wildlife and pristine landscape.
“You have a better chance to see a more varied mix of wildlife than you would near town,” says Mike Mullin, natural resource specialist with the Forest Service. “It’s not uncommon to see bears at certain times of the year and whales breaching, sea lions, sea otters and birds.”
With no electricity and a nearby tidy outhouse, Forest Service cabins are rustic. But that, Mullin says, is the beauty.
“It’s a nice, quiet retreat from the everyday grind of normal living,” he explains. “I think people from anywhere would appreciate the feeling that they are out on their own. You’re really forced to tune out the electronic world and just get away.”
All but one cabin near Sitka require a float plane or boat to access, with many charter services available in town. Plan on packing in and out all of your needs from toilet paper to water. Cabin descriptions, accessibility and pack lists can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/activity/tongass/recreation/camping-cabins. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov
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FOREST SERVICE CABINS
Explore Sitka Off the Grid
Explore Sitka off the grid. Head out on one of the many local hikes on the hiking map on pg. 61.
A Forest Service cabin is a great option for remote overnight trips. Tucked into quiet coves and isolated islands, these simple but sturdy wood cabins can accommodate groups from two to 12. Cabin descriptions, accessibility and
pack lists can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/activity/tongass/recreation/camping-cabins. Reservations can be
made at recreation.gov.
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