Ketchikan Helicopter Tour & Mountain Lakes Review

So, the whole idea of Alaska, it just has this really big pull, you know? It’s, like, more or less this picture of just enormous wild places and super big adventures that kind of gets fixed in your thoughts. And honestly, when you are actually making plans for a vacation up to Ketchikan, you really want to lock in an activity that, like, holds up to that huge mental picture. Well, this Ketchikan Helicopter Tour with the stop at the mountain lakes is pretty much one of those things you hear people talking about, so I just thought I should check it out for myself and see what the big deal was, really. It sort of feels like one of those bucket-list items that you see in brochures, yet you kind of wonder if the real thing is as good as the pictures make it seem. You see the glossy photos and pretty much wonder if your own pictures will turn out that good. Frankly, the whole thought of lifting off the ground and flying over those trees and mountains is a little bit thrilling and slightly nerve-wracking all at once. It’s almost a mixture of excitement and that funny feeling in your stomach. At the end of the day, you know that this kind of opportunity, to see a place so remote, doesn’t come around every day, so you just decide to go for it. I mean, you’re in Alaska, right? You sort of have to do these kinds of amazing things.

Getting Ready for Liftoff: What to Expect Before You Fly

Alright, so showing up for the tour, you honestly get this feeling of real professionalism right away from the staff. They are, like, super organized and pretty much walk you through everything, which is just really comforting. First, you get weighed, which is, you know, a standard thing for these helicopter flights so they can balance the aircraft just right. No one makes a big deal about it; it’s just part of the process, really. After that, you’re pretty much given this detailed safety briefing. They go over how to get in and out of the helicopter safely, how the headsets work, and basically all the other important bits and pieces. I mean, they are very clear with their instructions, and it makes you feel like you are in very capable hands. It is actually kind of interesting, you know? You sort of learn a lot about the machine you’re about to fly in. To be honest, seeing the helicopter up close is a really cool moment. It’s, like, a bit smaller than you might picture from movies, but it looks incredibly solid and ready for action. You can almost feel the potential for adventure just by standing next to it. You get fitted for these big, special boots that go over your own shoes, which, frankly, is a smart idea for walking on the kind of unpredictable ground where you’re going to land. You can find some really good advice on how to get ready for your trip right here. The whole pre-flight part of the day, honestly, just builds the anticipation in a really fun way. It’s not just a ‘hurry up and wait’ kind of situation; it’s more or less part of the whole experience, with the ground crew and the pilot making you feel like a part of the team for a little bit.

Then, the moment really comes when you meet your pilot. Our pilot was, just, incredibly personable and seemed to genuinely love his job, which, frankly, makes all the difference. He introduced himself, cracked a couple of jokes, and told us a bit about the route we were going to be taking. You can just ask any questions you have, and they are, like, super happy to answer them. This is the time when it all feels very, very real. You walk out to the helipad, and the air is just buzzing, almost literally. As I was saying, the sound of the rotor blades starting to spin up is just something else; it’s a deep, thumping sound that you feel in your chest. It is a very powerful noise, yet it’s also, like, the sound of an adventure about to kick off. Getting strapped into your seat is a pretty simple process, and then you put on the headset. Instantly, the loud noise of the blades quiets down to a manageable hum, and you can hear the pilot and the other people in the helicopter clearly. He does a quick check, you know, “Everyone doing okay?” And with a thumbs-up from everyone, you just feel the helicopter get light on its skids. The liftoff is surprisingly gentle; it’s not a stomach-lurching jolt at all. It is, like, a smooth, floating feeling as the ground just sort of falls away beneath you. Seriously, that initial moment of ascent, watching the world shrink just a little below, is a memory that sticks with you. It is a totally different way to see the world, and it all begins with these very well-managed and confidence-inspiring steps on the ground. You really get the feeling that safety and a good time are, like, their top priorities.

Soaring Over the Tongass: A View from Above

Okay, so once you are up in the air, the view is, just, absolutely mind-blowing. Honestly, words and pictures really can’t do it complete justice. You are flying over the Tongass National Forest, which, by the way, is the largest national forest in the United States, and it is just an endless carpet of deep green trees. It’s a very humbling sight, actually. The sheer scale of it is pretty much impossible to understand from the ground. From the air, you see everything; the weaving patterns of the waterways, the hidden coves, and just trees, trees, and more trees for as far as your eyes can see. The pilot, in our case, was an amazing narrator. Through the headset, he would point out interesting things, you know, like a specific mountain peak or an eagle’s nest perched high up in an old-growth tree. He had, like, a bunch of stories about the area, its history, and the local wildlife, which just made the flight so much more interesting. It’s pretty much like getting a personalized tour from a local who has seen it all from the best seat in the house. We were constantly scanning the ground below, looking for bears or other animals. To be honest, spotting wildlife from a moving helicopter is a bit tricky, but the hunt is part of the fun. He was kind of an expert at spotting things, pointing out a dark shape near a stream that might be a black bear, or a group of mountain goats on a distant cliff. You should honestly check out this guide to spotting creatures in the wild to get a few tips. The flight itself is very smooth. You feel the occasional bit of movement from the wind currents, but it’s more like a gentle sway than turbulence. The giant bubble-like windows give you this incredible panoramic view, so there’s really no bad seat in the helicopter. You just feel completely surrounded by the epic scenery of Alaska.

The journey to the mountain lakes is not just a straight line; it’s, you know, a very scenic flight that takes you deeper into the wilderness. As you fly higher, the look of the terrain begins to change quite a bit. You start to see these dramatic, rocky peaks jutting up, many of them with patches of snow still clinging to their sides, even in the middle of summer. It is a really powerful contrast to the thick forest below. The helicopter really gives you this unique point of view, allowing you to appreciate the geography in a way you just can’t from a boat or a car. You fly over these massive, sheer cliffs and deep valleys that were carved out by glaciers a long, long time ago. The pilot might even take you for a closer pass by a hanging glacier or a thundering waterfall that you could only ever see from the air. Seriously, you spend the whole time with your face pretty much glued to the window, trying to take it all in. You’re trying to take photos, but you also just want to put the camera down and just experience it. It is actually a very mesmerizing feeling, just floating above this untouched world. The color of the water in the rivers and streams below is this incredible shade of turquoise and blue, a result of glacial silt, which is something the pilot explained. You just realize how clean and pure everything looks up here. It is like seeing the world before people really made a mark on it. It’s an almost overwhelming feeling of natural beauty, and the quiet hum of the helicopter in your ears is, like, the perfect soundtrack for the visual feast happening outside your window.

Touching Down in the Wilderness: The Mountain Lake Landing

Now, the part of this whole trip that really sets it apart is, like, the landing next to a remote mountain lake. As the pilot begins to descend, you see this stunningly clear, isolated body of water appear, ringed by mountains and, you know, just complete silence. The landing is, again, incredibly skillful and smooth. The pilot picks a spot on the rocky shore, and you just settle down so gently. When the engine is cut and the rotor blades slow to a stop, the sudden quiet is, honestly, the first thing that hits you. It is a profound, deep silence that is so different from the constant background noise of normal life. You almost feel like you should be whispering. Getting out of the helicopter, you take your first breath of this incredibly crisp, clean mountain air. It feels so good and so pure, you know? The ground beneath the special boots is a mix of rock, moss, and small alpine plants. You are actually standing in a place that very few people have ever stood. That feeling alone is just really, really special. I mean, think about it: there are no roads, no trails, just you, your small group, and this completely untouched piece of the planet. There are some really amazing ideas for out-of-the-way places to visit, and this is certainly one of them. The pilot gives you some time to just walk around, take pictures, and soak it all in. To be honest, it is a very reflective and almost moving experience. The water of the lake is unbelievably clear, and you can see every single rock on the bottom near the edge. The whole scene is just perfectly still, with the huge mountains reflected flawlessly on the surface of the water.

So, you just spend about 20 to 30 minutes on the ground, which honestly feels like the perfect amount of time. It’s long enough to really feel the peace and majesty of the place, but not so long that you get cold or antsy. Some people in my group just sat on a rock and stared out at the view. I, you know, spent my time walking along the edge of the lake, taking photo after photo, trying to capture the intense blue of the water and the sheer size of the mountains all around. The pilot usually stays with the group, and they are like a walking encyclopedia, pointing out different types of plants or geological formations. You might even get to sip some of the pure, cold water right from the glacial-fed streams that run into the lake. It is so fresh and, just, unbelievably good. This is the moment when you really connect with the “wild” part of Alaska. It is not just seeing it from a window; it’s feeling it under your feet and breathing it into your lungs. It’s almost a sensory overload in the best possible way. The quiet, the air, the incredible view—it all combines to create a memory that is pretty much unforgettable. When it’s time to go, you are honestly a little sad to leave this peaceful spot behind. Climbing back into the helicopter, you take one last long look around, trying to burn the image into your mind forever. The liftoff from the lakeside feels just as special as the landing, as you get to see the stunning spot you were just standing on shrink away as you climb back into the sky. It is, like, your own private piece of paradise, even if just for a short while.

Is This Helicopter Tour a Good Fit for You? Some Honest Thoughts.

Alright, so let’s get real about whether this tour is the right choice for you and your group. Honestly, it’s a pretty big investment, so you want to know if it’s a good match. At the end of the day, I think this experience is almost perfect for people who are completely captivated by nature and want to see Alaska in a way that is just not possible otherwise. If you’re a photographer, for example, this is pretty much a dream come true. You will get shots that your friends at home, frankly, won’t even believe are real. The aerial views and the untouched lakeside location offer just amazing photo opportunities. Similarly, if you’re someone who is, like, looking for a bit of a thrill without doing something physically strenuous like a long hike, this is an excellent fit. You get all the adventure of being in the deep wilderness with almost none of the physical work. You can find more info on different types of adventures in the state if you look around. On the other hand, if you are, say, traveling with very young children who might have a hard time sitting still or being quiet, this might not be the best fit. The space in the helicopter is, you know, pretty limited, and the experience on the ground is more about quiet appreciation than running around. It is also something to think about if you are extremely afraid of heights. The flight is very smooth and feels incredibly safe, but at the end of the day, you are very high up in the air. The pilots are great at making you feel comfortable, but it’s just something to consider for yourself, you know?

Another thing to think about is, honestly, the weather. Ketchikan is in a temperate rainforest, and it rains a lot. That is just a fact. These helicopter tours are, of course, dependent on the weather being safe enough to fly. This means that, sometimes, tours can get canceled or rescheduled at the last minute for safety reasons, which is obviously the right call. The companies are very good about this and will usually try to get you on another flight or provide a refund, but it is just something to be aware of when you are making your plans. You just need to have a little flexibility in your schedule, if possible. In terms of what to wear, layers are definitely your friend. It can be a little warm in the helicopter but quite cool and windy up at the mountain lake, even in summer. So, like, a light jacket or a fleece is a really good idea. And solid, comfortable shoes are a must. They give you the over-boots, but you will be happier in a good pair of walking shoes or light hikers underneath. Finally, consider the cost. This is not a cheap excursion. But, to be honest, you are paying for an experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. You are paying for the helicopter, the fuel, the expert pilot, and the exclusive access to a location that is, frankly, priceless. So if it fits within your budget, and you’re the kind of person who values unique experiences over things, then this tour is, almost without a doubt, worth every single penny. It’s an investment in a memory that will, like, last a lifetime.

Capturing the Moment: Photography and Memories

So, if you are like me and you love taking pictures, this helicopter tour is, pretty much, a fantastic opportunity. You will want to have your camera ready from the very beginning. Actually, shooting from inside a moving helicopter comes with its own little set of challenges. First, you might get some glare or reflections on the windows. A simple trick, you know, is to wear dark clothing to cut down on your own reflection and to get your lens as close to the glass as you can without actually touching it. To deal with the vibration of the aircraft, it is a really good idea to use a faster shutter speed. This will, like, help make sure your pictures are sharp and not blurry. Honestly, you do not need a super fancy professional camera to get great shots here. Most modern smartphones, as a matter of fact, can take incredible pictures, especially with the bright daylight you’ll probably have. There are plenty of online sources to find good ideas for getting the best travel shots you can. The key is just to keep shooting. Take tons of photos. The views change so quickly that you’ll be glad you have lots of options to choose from later. Don’t just focus on the big, wide scenic shots. Look for interesting patterns in the trees or the way the water flows. These little details can make for some really interesting pictures. It’s really a blast from a photography point of view.

Once you are on the ground at the mountain lake, you have a completely different kind of photo opportunity. Here, you can actually take your time a bit more. One of the best things to capture is the scale of everything. You can do this by placing a person, like one of your travel companions, in the shot against the backdrop of the mountains. This just gives a sense of how enormous the surroundings truly are. Wide-angle lenses are your best friend here. If