The Deer Mountain National Recreation trail is 10.7 miles long. This trail begins at the Deer Mountain trailhead and continues to the Upper Silvis Lake. The trail is composed of natural tread with brief sections of boardwalk. The trail is steep, with many switchbacks and gains two thousand feet of elevation in the first two miles of trail. From the Deer Mtn. shelter to Blue Lake shelter, the trail route is marked and some tread does exist. The trail beyond Blue Lake to John Mtn. and Upper Silvis Lake has some markers but very little tread is present. Hikers venturing beyond Blue Lake should be experienced with the use of maps, compass and/or GPS as well as having knowledge of the trail route.
June through September are the most popular hiking months in southeast Alaska. Upper elevations are often snow-covered until mid June, making the going tough without skis or snowshoes. A clear fall day, without bugs and with autumn alpine color, can be a great time for a trip, providing you are prepared for sudden weather changes.
