by Kimberly Stevens

Created on: April 05, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Alaska's capital city, Juneau is named for Joe Juneau, a gold prospector who was one of the men to find gold in the Gastineau Channel in the late 1800s. The Gastineau Channel is the body of water that separates Juneau from Douglas Island. Juneau is fly or boat in only. There is a ferry terminal and Alaska Airlines flies in from larger cities such as Seattle and Anchorage. From the smaller islands and communities you may take smaller 4-5 person aircraft.

There are no roads in or out but once you are in Juneau there is a main highway that runs the length of the coastline known as Egan Drive. This highway is approximately 45 miles long. Juneau is a rain forest climate and averages approximately 200 inches of precipitation every year. In the summer time the temperatures average about 65 degrees and in the Winter time temperatures seldom drop below 20 degrees. Juneau is nestled at the base of several peaks averaging about 4,000 feet and the Juneau Ice fields which is a series of glaciers that make up an area the size of Rhode Island.

Juneau is also home to the Mendenhall Glacier. This glacier is approximately 12 miles long and draws thousands of visitors to Juneau every year. Juneau is home to large Spruce and Western Hemlock trees and dozens of hiking trails. The US Forestry service maintains most of the hiking trails in Juneau but wildlife is always a concern. In Juneau you may encounter brown and black bear, bald eagles, wolves, deer, or moose. Juneau is a popular destination for cruise lines and can accommodate up to 5 large cruise ships at any given time so the tourist season is very busy. Juneau has many tours to offer in the summer season from hiking and flight seeing to fishing and sea kayaking.

Juneau is also home to the University of Alaska Southeast. In downtown Juneau, there is a tramway that travels up the side of Mt. Roberts. At the top you can visit the gift shop, the raptor center, with the Park Rangers or have lunch in the rester aunt. There are also numerous trails that you can hike all the way to the top of the mountain for breathtaking views of Gastineau Channel and downtown area. Along these trails there are several places that are built up with viewing decks and tables for a quiet place to sit and relax or a place to take a picture before climbing higher. Juneau is packed with history and dozens of places to visit. Juneau is a beautiful city nestled in a valley where you can have peace and quiet and panoramic views of beautiful Southeast Alaska.

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