Monashka Mt.

Date Hiked: 9 October 2023 and 3 June 2024

Distance: 3.58 miles

Elevation: 2,522 ft

Difficulty: Hard

Features: Peak, forest walk, lots of streams, steep ascent to the summit, views of the Three Sisters, Monashka Bay, Ouzinkie

Description: This was a fun hike and my first solo hiking adventure in Kodiak. I hiked it alone during peak bear season (with bear spray of course). While trekking through the forested area, I was thinking “don’t see a bear, don’t see a bear, don’t see a bear!” The moment I reached my car at the end of the hike, BAM! Large brown bear eating salmon in the marsh. The bear was beautiful and I spent a while watching him munch away!

There are two ways to climb Monashka Mt: the steep trail and the less steep trail. The first time I hiked it I took the less steep trail on my way up, resulting in a 4.35 mile hike with a 2,831 ft elevation gain. The stats above reflect my second time hiking while leading a group hike up the steeper trail. I WOULD NOT recommend first trail, it took me on unnecessary extra distance, through many bogs and over many unnecessary hills. The “steeper” trail is not much steeper and a more enjoyable trail. The low elevation part winds through the beautiful forest and follows a long creek. Be prepared for your feet to get wet when stepping through very muddy areas if it rained recently. The trail is also very hard to follow at points during low elevation sections, there are many crisscrossing paths and forks. But once you reach the incline it is a simple steep trail to the summit.

Don’t be fooled by the false summit. Once you reach it, the trail flattens some and it feels like you’re taking a magical stroll through beautiful rocky areas. I felt like I was running around on top of the world. I have hiked this mountain twice and that last stretch was my favorite both times. Views of North Sister Mountain, Monashka Bay, White Sands Beach, and Ouzinke Island.