Three Sisters Trail(edit)

Overview

This is a moderate to difficult out and back trail in Kodiak, Alaska. It is difficult if you take the frontside of North sister and moderate if you take the backside. The frontside is a lot more aggressive grade than the back side trail. The frontside does offer some spectacular views and is a shorter but more demanding trail. Trekking pole are recommended if you take the this route especially on the way back down. The trail from the frontside is about 2mile round trip if you stop at the top of north sister and a little longer if you continue to any of the other 2 sisters. The backside trail to north sister is slightly longer but way more gradual of an ascent, it is about 1.3 miles to north sister summit, and it still offers some nice views of the the area including Monashka reservoir and Devils Prongs mountain. The trail is pretty well marked both ways. Be bear aware especially via the backside trail.

Getting Started

The front side of the trail is off of Monaska Bay Rd across from an overlook area and is about 15min drive from town. It is marked by a wooden trail head sign that says North Sister. One can either park at the overlook area or behind the trailhead sign but this area can be difficult to drive into without a high clearance vehicle. If you drive another 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile there is another trailhead for the backside of North sister or Three sister trail. This is also marked by a sign that says North Sister. Most of the parking for this is on the trailhead side and is very limited as its is just the shoulder of the the road, maybe 8 vehicles or so.

Taking Children

This can be a difficult trail for children under 8 if you take the frontside tail as it is very steep and would rate as a 3/10 best for children, 10 being best. The backside is more like a 7/10 for children with very few sections that have a steep grade, maybe about 2 very short sections.