Chichagof Mining Days



"The Gate," entrance to Klag Bay on Chichagof Island

From the lovey anchorage in Double Cove, we took the protected passage leading to the beautiful and nearly landlocked, Klag Bay.  In order to enter Klag Bay from Smooth Passage you must first squeeze through a narrow opening called “The Gate.”  We arrived at The Gate at 10am and the current was running rather swift.  We didn’t want to pass through at that time knowing that there was a depth of only 6 feet in The Gate at a zero tide and we were at a minus tide, our boat requires 5 feet of water. 

The Elbow in Klag Bay, Chichagof Island

We waited for about 15 minutes and slowly proceeded through, keeping an eye on channel markers and the charts; I was on “bow watch” looking for any uncharted rocks or miscalculations.  The charts for this area are in “small scale” so  you're viewing a large area which makes it more difficult to locate exactly where the rocks are.  The charts for this area also seem to be off, showing the boat further southeast from where it is actually located.  After passing through The Gate, we made the big right turn into Elbow Passage which then makes a big left turn.  

White Rock through the Mountain Ridge, Klag Bay

Once past these two spots, the Bay opens up and looks more like a lake with calm water, numerous islets, and small coves.  The scenery is varied and beautiful with jagged peaks, forested mountains, and different rock formations.  What looks like a mountain dusted in snow is actually a vein of white rock running along a ridge.  Fishing looks to be good here as well, we saw fish jumping and sea otters munching on shell fish.  Humans should not eat any of the shell fish from this area, however, as there was once an active gold & silver mine located at the north end of the Bay.  

Old Mining Equipment, Klag Bay

During the early 1900’s, there was an established village at the north end of Klag Bay called Chichagof where more than $13,000,000 in gold was brought out of the area mines between 1905 and the late 1930’s.  This now abandoned site is intriguing to explore.  

Old Mining Equipment, Klag Bay

We found numerous pieces of mining equipment, remains of old piers, a couple of cabins still standing, and numerous cabins that have collapsed over the years revealing sinks, toilets, and even a bathtub along with window frames, beams, and doors.  

Pier from the mining days at Klag Bay

Got d' Fever anchored in Klag Bay

A second wave of miners came here in the 1940’s and 50’s seeking gold and silver once again, looking through the tailings to see what might have been left behind.  

Trees growing over the Old Pier, Klag Bay

As we were exploring in awe at what had once been here and what still remained, an elderly man came up to us with his daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.  “Hello” he said, “my name is Larry Calvin and I used to live here with my dad when I was 7 years old.”  Wow!  We couldn’t believe it, what luck to meet history in the flesh.  He couldn’t remember all the details about the mining operation but clearly remembered going to the Superintendent’s house, now collapsed, which sat on a knoll by the shore overlooking the Bay.  

Old Barge from Klag's Mining Days

Larry currently lives in Sitka and was visiting Klag Bay with his family, piloting his own boat at age 82.  He owns the Fisherman’s Quay in Sitka - a lodging, storage, and mooring facility and told us he enjoys having company.  

A Cabin still stands from the mining days at Klag Bay

He could tell we appreciated history and invited us to come visit him in Sitka if we were heading back that way; he would share pictures showing what the village looked like in earlier times.  

Leonard and Larry discuss the Mine Site

Still able to hike reasonably well, Larry scrambled through the brush and trees with the rest of the group as we came upon various building sites and mining equipment.  So much had been overgrown that Larry couldn’t remember how to find the entrance to the mine.  A mission was set in motion and we all scattered in various directions in search of this main attraction.  

One of Many Collapsed Cabins at Klag Bay Mine Site

We had brought our bug spray, whistles, and bear spray just in case.  And Larry’s daughter, Karen, had packed along not only her kids (ages 9 and 14) but also a rifle!  I guess we would be safe.  

The Mine Entrance, Klag Bay on Chichagof Island

Leonard was the first one to come back with the news that he had found the entrance to the mine.  He had hiked above one of the buildings still intact and found what appeared to be a road.  

A Photo Op at the Mine Entrance

An Ore Car or Movie Set?

At the end of the road above some tailings was the entrance to the mine, perhaps one of several mines in the area.  It was like a scene out of Indiana Jones – the rail tracks led straight into the dark tunnel and outside the entrance nearby was an ore car, how cool is that!