Mt. Roberts Tram Ride and Hike (September 2011)

Sat June 22, 2013

Head up a mountain right off the boat! The Mt. Roberts Tram is by the cruise ship docks in downtown Juneau and takes passengers up 1,745 ft to the top of Mt. Roberts. It is run by an Alaskan native owned corporation. On the way up and on top there are excellent views of the the downtown area and of Douglas Island.

Empty Cruise Ship Docks - Late Season

View of the Gustineau Channel on the Way Up (Looking South)

At the top terminal there's a restaurant and shops. More importantly the hiking trails run right by there. So you can either hike up or take the tram up (or down). I took the tram up and down since I was just doing an evening trip.

Trail on Top of Mt. Roberts

There was a bit of wildlife at the top including ptarmigans and squirrels.

Ptarmigan on the Trail

Along the top is a wooden cross. It is called Father Brown's Cross after a Jesuit Priest. He began building the trail to the top of Mt. Roberts with the help of volunteers. The current cross is a replica of the 1908 one erected to celebrate the trail reaching the top.

Father Brown's Cross

Rainbow on the Mountain

Mt. Juneau

I headed down as it was getting dark so I got a good view of the lights of downtown Juneau.

Downtown Juneau at Night