Hiking up Mt. Juneau

We've learned pretty quickly that when it's nice outside in Juneau, you take advantage of it!  This past Saturday is was forecasted to be a clear day, so we decided to hike up Mt. Juneau.  We had gone up partway the previous Wednesday (it also wasn't raining then) and had to turn around to make a dinner date with our landlord.  On Saturday we wanted to go all the way to the top!

The start of the trail is called "Perseverance Trail"

 It struck me how quickly we were in a setting that felt like we were hours outside of town.  Literally, in minutes, you're surrounded by wilderness.  I think it was less than a ten minute drive from our house before we're on this trailhead.

A little history lesson, talking about how this trail was the first road in Alaska.  I also learned that Juneau is actually named after a man named Joe Juneau.

 Here are some more shots of this gorgeous hike:

We got to cross three waterfalls like these.

The higher we got, the more the fog began to clear and reveal these beautiful views.

Almost to the summit!

This lady is a veterinarian and has lived in Juneau for 10 years.  She grew up in Cleveland, OH and went to Ohio State for vet school...small world!  She was a total hiking enthusiast and said that's why she lives here.  She's been here 10 years and still hasn't done and seen all there is here.  She also happened to be incredibly buff!

A shot of one of those monstrous cruise ships

That's Juneau from way up high...I think the elevation was 3700 or 3800 feet.

The guy who took this picture was a lanky runner, wearing Vibrams, and no water bottle.  He passed us on his way down and we said, "Wow, you made good time!"  He responded: "That's what happens when you're thirsty!" :)

Back at the trailhead, you can see all those vehicles and bikes....proof that people like to get out when it's nice!

It took us three hours up and two hours down, and the climb down was so steep that my quads were shaky and very sore the next day.  Brian seemed fine, though...which is why I call him my little mountain goat! :)