According to healthknowing.com, Haines Borough, Alaska is located in the southeast part of the state on the Alaskan panhandle. It is bordered by Glacier Bay National Park to the east and Canada to the south. The borough has a total area of 1,811 square miles and a population of 2,558 people as of 2019.
The history of Haines Borough dates back to 1881 when it was first established as a mining town. The town quickly grew with several businesses such as stores, restaurants, and saloons popping up in the area. In 1902, Haines was incorporated as a city and continued to grow until it eventually became a borough in 1979.
Today, Haines Borough is home to many attractions that draw visitors from around the world. One popular attraction is Chilkoot Lake State Park which offers camping, fishing, hiking trails, and breathtaking views of Chilkoot Lake and surrounding mountains. Another popular attraction is Fort Seward which was built in 1899 during the Klondike Gold Rush by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. The fort now serves as an educational center for visitors who want to learn more about Alaska’s history and culture.
The borough also has several famous people who were born or lived there including athlete Rachael Scdoris; singer/songwriter Jewel; actor/director Robert Redford; singer/songwriter John Denver; actress/model Kate Upton; author Jack London; Olympic gold medalist Tommy Moe; artist Ray Troll; singer/songwriter Jewel Kilcher; hockey player Isaac Johnson; actor Tom Skerritt; explorer Roald Amundsen; author Jack London; musician David Grisman; and actor Dan Aykroyd among others.
Haines Borough offers many attractions for visitors from all over including camping at Chilkoot Lake State Park or exploring Fort Seward along with many famous people who either call Haines home or have ties to it through their life experiences.
Climate and weather in Haines Borough, Alaska
According to existingcountries.com, Haines Borough, Alaska is located on the Alaskan Panhandle and has a mild climate compared to the rest of the state. The climate is classified as subarctic and is characterized by short, cool summers and long, cold winters. The average temperature in summer is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) with temperatures rarely exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). In winter, temperatures can drop to as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius) and average around 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 Celsius).
The area gets an average of 50 inches of rain per year with most precipitation occurring in late fall and early spring. Snowfall averages around 90 inches per year with snow typically falling from October through April. The area also experiences strong winds throughout the year with gusts reaching up to 60 mph (97 kmph).
Due to Haines Borough’s location on the Alaskan Panhandle, it is exposed to extreme weather conditions such as high winds, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning storms, snowstorms, blizzards, and even occasional hurricanes. The area also experiences several days of fog each year due to its proximity to Glacier Bay National Park.
Haines Borough has a mild climate compared to other parts of Alaska but still experiences extreme weather conditions from time to time due to its location on the panhandle. Visitors should be prepared for all types of weather when visiting this part of Alaska.
Transportation in Haines Borough, Alaska
Haines Borough, Alaska is located on the Alaskan Panhandle and is accessible by land, sea, and air. The main form of transportation within the borough is by car. Roadways are well maintained and link Haines with neighboring towns and cities in Alaska. There are also several scenic drives that visitors can take to explore the area’s natural beauty.
Public transportation within Haines Borough is limited but includes a shuttle service that runs between Haines and Skagway. There are also taxi services available for hire throughout the borough.
For those traveling to Haines Borough by sea, ferries run regularly between Juneau and Skagway with stops in Haines along the way. Cruise ships also make regular visits to Haines during the summer months.
The main form of air travel to and from Haines Borough is via small aircrafts which fly out of the local airport located in town. Flights are available to Juneau, Anchorage, Seattle, Vancouver, Whitehorse, and other destinations in Alaska.
visitors have many options when it comes to getting around or traveling to/from Haines Borough including car rentals, shuttles buses, taxis, ferries, cruise ships, and small aircrafts flying out of local airports.
Cities and towns in Haines Borough, Alaska
According to countryaah, Haines Borough, Alaska is located in the Alaskan Panhandle and is home to a variety of cities and towns. One of the most popular cities in the area is Haines, which is the largest and most populous city in Haines Borough. Haines has a population of around 2,500 people and offers visitors a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. It’s known for its stunning views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and fjords as well as its vibrant arts scene.
The smaller towns in Haines Borough are equally charming. Skagway is located just south of Haines and offers visitors a glimpse into Alaska’s Gold Rush history with its historic buildings and narrow streets lined with shops, restaurants, galleries, museums, and more. The town of Klukwan is home to an ancient Tlingit village that has been preserved since 1881. The nearby village of Chilkat is also worth visiting for its traditional Native American totem poles as well as its art galleries featuring works by local artists.
The remote village of Elfin Cove sits on the shores of Chatham Strait in northern Haines Borough offering visitors an opportunity to experience true Alaskan wilderness while still being close enough to civilization for comfort. Other small towns include Tenakee Springs which offers a peaceful escape from city life with its hot springs; Pelican which boasts some great fishing spots; Excursion Inlet which provides access to Glacier Bay National Park; Port Alexander which has some excellent seafood restaurants; Point Baker which can be reached by boat or floatplane; Kake which has some great hiking trails; Angoon which features stunning views from atop Mt. Edziza; Gustavus where you can explore Glacier Bay National Park; Hyder where you can spot bears on the Salmon River; Coffman Cove where you can kayak or go whale watching; Wrangell where you can find great camping spots along the Stikine River Valley; Thorne Bay where you can take a boat ride through Misty Fjords National Monument; Metlakatla where you can visit Annette Island Reserve by ferry or plane; and many more small villages throughout the region offering unique experiences for travelers looking to explore this part of Alaska’s wild beauty.
