Juneau’s Big 5
3 minute read
The number five has a chime to it. High five, top five, fab five. Five continents, five senses, five Olympic rings, Chanel No. 5. Safari types seek the big five, and in Southeast Alaska, hikers and casual mountaineers can tackle Juneau’s own big five.
These are the five most accessible mountains directly surrounding the city. Each has a trail to the top and can be easily summited in the summer. All that’s required is fitness and perseverance. Local hardman Owen Hatcher more than demonstrated that - the Juneau based runner documented topping all five in a single human powered day, tagging each peak and biking between trailheads. More than sixty miles of trail and road, and 18,800 feet up and down in a monster 15 hour multi-marathon.
In ascending order of elevation, the five are Thunder, Jumbo, Juneau, Roberts, and McGinnis. Each trailhead starts near sea level and the summits range from just under 3,000 to just over 4,000 feet.
The thunder in Thunder Mountain is from winter avalanches that cascade down the cliffs above Juneau’s suburbs. Summer is a different story though. Trails rise up the slopes of the mountain from each side, and converge on the ridgeline leading to the summit at 2,900 ft. We recently made the traverse, leaving a car at each trailhead. Trip reports had referred to the two trails as “the muddy one” and “the steep one”, but our legs couldn’t tell the difference.
Dilly waiting for stragglers near the summit of Thunder Mountain.
Jumbo is the highest point on Douglas Island. The trail starts in a neighborhood, snakes between two houses, and climbs gently through forest and meadows before making a sharp series of uphill cuts. The route quickly becomes a climb of mud, roots, and branches to 3,337 ft. Near the summit, the trail opens out of the trees, runs across the rim of a steep couloir, then takes a series of detouring scrambles to reach the summit.
Summer blooms partway up Mt. Jumbo.
The Mt. Juneau summer trail is a steep zig-zag up the main face that overlooks the city. The route crosses several waterfalls, and leads to a broad open summit at 3,576 ft. This is also the first section of the Juneau Ridgeline, a challenging all day hike through the high alpine.
The ridgeline from the summit of Mt. Juneau
Roberts presents options. The hike starts in Perseverance basin, and rises 1,800 feet through the forest before branching into the high alpine. OR, you can spend a few minutes in line, pay $35, and take a hot lap up the Mt. Roberts Tramway to arrive at the same location. From the tram’s high station, follow the trail uphill along the ridgeline to the summit at 3,819 ft.
Juneau from Mt. Roberts.
The highest, and most challenging climb is Mt. McGinnis. The trail runs alongside Mendenhall lake for several miles before climbing to a stunning shoulder that overlooks the Mendenhall glacier. The route continues through dense alder into the alpine and rolls up and over several false summits before topping out at 4,232 ft. Take care at the peak - the north face of the mountain drops away sharply.
Summer haze from the summit of McGinnis.
Juneau’s Big Five all lead to spectacular views of the Coastal Range, the Chilkat Mountains, the Juneau Icefield, and the island archipelago of Southeast Alaska. Each hike is an accomplishment and each hike is an adventure - whether you summit them over the course of a day, a summer, or a lifetime.
The Details:
These hikes are challenging, but not technical, mountaineering gear or ropes are not required. Snow cornices can form through the winter and spring - some routes may be impassable early in the season. Most trails are well marked, but getting off route can be easy - if the trail is ambiguous, take care to look for surveyor’s tape or cairns. Keep an eye on the weather and take plenty of water, food, layers, and insect repellent. Hiking poles can be knee savers on the descents. Read current trip reports and download GPX files at SummitPost.org.
Stay safe out there!