ALASKA, Juneau, Hiking Mount Roberts

6/17/11

Decided to hike Mount Roberts this morning. It is about 4000 feet high above sea level. When you start hiking next to a cruise ship, you are at sea level. lol  It is a joke in Alaska when the tourist get off the cruise ship and ask how high above sea level each town is.

Most tourists take the tram up to the restaurant which is about 2000 ft. I hiked for an hour to the tram and then another 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to the summit. There was a very beautiful view of  the Gastineau Channel, surrounding mountains, and Juneau and Douglas. I attempted to complete the Alpine Loop but at one point along the ridge the path was completely covered by snow. After quickly realizing the potential danger, I returned along the path I had taken earlier. The view from the summit was so beautiful that it is one of the highlights of my trip so far.

Eagle in large enclosure at tram stop.

Took the easy way down. 

ALASKA, Skagway, Hiking and lots of tourists in Skagway

6/13/11

2.5 hour hike to Lower Dewey Lake this morning. Nice view overlooking the harbor and town. Went to the grocery store for supplies and walked around town in the afternoon watching all the tourists from the 3 cruise ships. The steam locomotive came back in from its trip through the mountains. Would love to do the train through the mountains but gotta cut back on expenses. Doing the train trip from Seward to Denali and that will have to do. You can not do everything on every trip.