(See picture of mountain from boat dock - we are hiking to the summit covered by clouds). After the boat ride, we begin by walking 3 miles to the trail head. We have the option of taking the skiff to the trail head but once again, tides are a factor and we decide to walk. Soon we are at the trail head. We start our ascent and soon we are peeling off our layers. I ran out of layers to peel off within 30 minutes. It was quite warm in the woods. New hobby - naked mountain climbing. Luckily, reason prevailed and we continued up. It was a difficult trail. At times, we passed mountain goats taking a break on the climb up. More than once I asked if this was the trail - and it was. Soon we were in agonizing pain - okay that was just me. Again did I mention mountain goats taking a break? 
Amy has waited 23 years to hike this mountain and I am not going to let her down. I continue to put one foot in front of the other and soon I am walking out the door......sorry, flashback to a Christmas special. The boys and Mike, sure footed Alaskans, bound up the trail as Amy and I slowly crawl - okay again just me. We met some young Forest Service workers that are working on a new trail to the top of the mountain. At one time I asked why do they need a new trail. I now know, they really do need a new trail. In fact they just need a trail. Dustin was my trusty sherpa, carrying my pack up the mountain. Only downside was my water was in the pack. Thankfully, they stopped every so often and we would catch up and get some water. When I thought I couldn't go another foot, we suddenly begin to see snow. 
We are almost there....I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. Another hundred steps straight up and we are there - well apparently almost there. Amy and I rejoice that we have reached the top of the mountain. Mike informs us that no, we have an additional vertical ascent before we reach the summit (see picture) One small problem, there is so much snow, we can barely find the trail and the cable that is used for the final vertical climb is not visible. Darn, we can't go any further. I am so upset!!! Well, more like relieved. We have a quick snack and the boys begin sliding down the snow. Thinking this is an ingenious way to get down the mountain, Amy and I give it a try. (See lovely starfish picture below - I'm the one with the moose hat)
Unfortunately, we run out of snow and we now have snow up our pants and our sleeves. However, a wet butt will come in handy when we reach the middle of the descent - see peeling of layers story above. We return to the trail and begin our descent. I thought it was painful going up - going down is no picnic either. It actually hurts more. Our legs are fatigued from the ascent and the trail looks even more challenging from above. I actually slide on my butt many times because I couldn't find a good foothold and when I thought I found one, it moved and I ended up sliding on my butt again. Mike and the boys are of course miles ahead of us. We know we have to get down this mountain so we begin our one step at a time program. What seems like forever passes when we finally reach the trail the Forest Service workers are constructing. They graciously allow us to use the new trail they have been working on instead of returning on the old trail we used for our ascent. It was amazing, log stairs, flat boards connecting the log stairs and then steps with actual rocks and not mud in between. It was like being upgraded from coach to Super Duper First Class. It literally saved my life. We continued down the mountain, still at a slow pace because all of our muscles were rebelling against us. I talked my knees into continuing the journey and they reluctantly accepted. Amy and I were never happier in our lives than when we reached the trail head again and only had 3 miles of glorious flat hiking left. We kept plodding on and finally, 45 minutes later, we arrive back where we started. While putting all our layers back on, I notice information about the trail and the hike. According to the US Forest Service, the hike up Petersburg Mountain is rated MOST DIFFICULT! Enough said. Note to self - always check difficulty rating of proposed hike!!! With aching muscles, we roll into the skiff, and return to Petersburg. Our chauffer, Aunt Alice, meets us at the harbor and whisks us to her home. The next 15 minutes are spent trying to get our boots off. We then make the wise decision to blog instead of returning to the Sugar Shack where a jacuzzi tub awaits us along with a cold Alaskan Amber. Seeing the error of our ways, BYE!
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