Sheep Creek was named by Joe Juneau and Richard Harris after mistaking mountain goats for sheep. The trail begins in the forest, rises abruptly, then drops into Sheep Creek Valley.
Once in Sheep creek valley, there are old mining buildings and relics along the trail. The Alaska-Gastineau Mine/Perseverance Mine in the Silver Bow Basin processed its ore at an old remodeled mill and crushing plant at Sheep Creek. To move the ore from the main shaft in Perseverance, the Sheep Creek tunnel was driven between 1912 and 1914. The tunnel was 10, 400 ft. long.
Are the small trees along the first half-mile of the trail curious? During mining days the hillside was clear-cut to accommodate space for the ore processing plants.
Not only was Sheep Creek known for its mill and crushing plant, but also for it’s hydroelectric power source. The Treadwell mine hydro project on Sheep Creek ran from 1910 to 1944 to power the gold mines on Douglas Island. Sheep Creek is currently being considered for a supplementary power source for Juneau. AEL&P is conducting studies to determine the economical and environmental feasibility of the proposed Sheep Creek Hydro Project. This would add about three percent to current hydro sources, supplying power during the spring, summer and fall months, and running dry in the winter months.
If you are feeling ambitious after the walk through the valley, the trail then leads up to Sheep Mountain through switchbacks up the hillside. If the rest of the trail is hard to find, follow the power lines. Be aware though - the power lines are still fully charged!
Congratulations goes to AKBirder for FTF on this one -- way to go braving the elements this morning!