- Trail was pretty dry.
- Snow up there, but only 20 feet that you had to cross.
- Bugs were bad when there was no wind.
- No bear sign.
Well, after Saturdays failed attempt at Three Peaks, we decided to do Juneau. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and it was beautiful and sunny. We started around 2 in the afternoon, giving us time to get some stuff done and meet up. I have never seen that many cars at the Perseverance trail head before. I have to say, it was amazing.
The trail was basically a super-highway of hikers. We must have passed at least 60 people coming down. The nice thing about getting a later start was that we were one of the last ones heading up. It was so sunny out, I don’t know how they all hiked in the heat! There were quite a few dogs as well. There was only one ‘sketchy’ spot, and that was just a waterfall you had to cross. Honestly, I think the dogs had an easier time than their people. I was careful on my way up, and used my trekking poles on the way down, so I liked having a few extra points of stability. I was just afraid the rocks would be slick, and I didn’t want to get my feet wet. If you were wearing waterproof shoes (mine technically are, but the giant holes really make that pointless) then it wouldn’t have been an issue.
Up at the top there was little wind, but enough to keep the bugs off. There is a little shack up there, not sure the history of it though. The top is a rounded dome, so there is room to walk around and sit down. There was another group up there, but we were away from them. We found some snow for Teddy, as he was super-hot. I really want to come down Granite Basin next time and hike the ridge. There was a pretty lake down there, but we didn’t head to it. It was so pretty up there, we could see so far! I can’t wait to go back up there!
On the way down we saw a few groups of Ptarmigans, and at one point I had to use my trekking pole to push the chicks off the trail. They were just running down the trail, but when their mom hopped off, they just kept going. I kind of pushed them off so we could walk by and they could re-group. What dorks. If you are ever in a survival situation, Ptarmigans are your best (have-no-self-persevation) friends.
It didn’t come out well, but there was a rainbow in the mist.
Our ‘before’ pic.
The first part is deceptively steep.
There was little shade, and we were happy when we found it.
Blueberries!!!!
A little stream across the trail.
This is ‘THE’ waterfall. There wasn’t much to it today, but I could see this being an obstacle with more rain. The rocks were kind of slick.
This was steep. Well, really the whole trail was steep.
This is the old trail – straight up the mountain. That is why a lot of people died on this trail.
This rock formation was pretty cool.
The old trail.
From up there you could see the Dan Moller boardwalk.
The only bit of snow we had to cross.
The hill side was all these blue flowers. The picture doesn’t do it justice.
Juneau
There is this shack up there. Not sure the history.
Matthew commented that at the top of a mountain, I find and focus on the bee.
All the blue ski…..
Our packs.
I didn’t know that there are lakes on this shelf.
See the mother ptarmigan and her two chicks?
Chick ptarmigan and the bridge.
Against the gravel they have good camouflage.
The chicks in the shrubs.
Annie taking a picture with her phone. They were that close.
A different mother and her two chicks.
Matt has made it a tradition of bringing donuts on hikes. Mine got a little squished. Tasted the same.
Alaskan Adventures With a Dog Named Kiska 