Juneau, Alaska is one of the busiest places in the state due to its unsurpassed beauty, and accessibility by cruise ships. The town is surrounded in mountains which are often hidden in fog and rain, but grace the eyes when the sun comes out. Downtown is full of oddities which reflect the independent people renowned for living there. Due to the surrounding mountains, most of Downtown is accessed by an intricate boardwalk and staircase system which connects houses and properties perched on its steep slopes. Its amazing that houses could be built there at all! As I walked around Juneau and the greater surrounding area, I was struck but its uniqueness and setting. Here are 10 shots to help convey the beauty of the area.
The steep hillsides of Juneau, and the surrounding mountains forces buildings to be built on high-grade slopes. Here’s a colorful array of buildings in upper, down-town Juneau as seen from the boardwalks.These iron chickens caught my eye as I walked through the streets of Juneau.A raft of scoters and other sea-birds sits in Juneau Harbor on a sunny day. Surrounded in mountains, the scenery is endless!Spring was in full bloom in Juneau, and early rising skunk cabin dotted the landscape in bright yellow.High up in the hillsides of Juneau, the Perseverance Basin boardwalk and trail offer beautiful view of Junea.The ice caves of the Mendenhall glacier are stunning, and glaciers define the entire Southeast Region of Alaska, including Juneau.This old mining building is a piece of the Treadwell mine of the late 1800s. In April 1917 this mine was flooded by a high tide, and “questionable” mining practices (http://www.juneau.org/parkrec/facilities/documents/treadbroch1.pdf)Early blueberries are a species which have flowers before that bloom before leaf out. The water drop perched precariously here caught my eye.This is a panorama captures the mountain range across Favorite Channel from Eagle Beach.A mountain sits on the far side of the inlet at Eagle Beach. I was fortunate to have some sun on my last day in Juneau.
Yes, it’s a remarkable place! I just finished reading Michener’s “Alaska”. His tale incorporates the significance of its beauty to the Tlingit, then the Russians, and finally the Americans. It’s been a beautiful place for a long time! 😉
When we visited There I was astounded by the walk ways….I can see them clearly in my minds eye. It was great to your picture for that is what I remember….beautiful place!
Another beautiful, descriptive set of photos that show how diverse Juneau is. I love the colorful houses on the hillside, as independent as the residents who live in them.
Yes, there were some other “independent things” I didn’t include, such as “the research facility for unspeakable things” and a wooden, spinning statue of bears holding hands with humans. It’s cool downtown.
I had no idea Juneau was so beautiful. Thak you for these stunning photos.
Yes, it’s a remarkable place! I just finished reading Michener’s “Alaska”. His tale incorporates the significance of its beauty to the Tlingit, then the Russians, and finally the Americans. It’s been a beautiful place for a long time! 😉
Michener was a remarkable person and researcher. Did you know he was a foundling?
Didn’t know! Amazing the backstories of many of the Greats in history. So many have overcome tremendous adversity!
When we visited There I was astounded by the walk ways….I can see them clearly in my minds eye. It was great to your picture for that is what I remember….beautiful place!
Thanks Cindy! The boardwalks were WONDERFUL! 🙂 So eclectic.
Another beautiful, descriptive set of photos that show how diverse Juneau is. I love the colorful houses on the hillside, as independent as the residents who live in them.
Yes, there were some other “independent things” I didn’t include, such as “the research facility for unspeakable things” and a wooden, spinning statue of bears holding hands with humans. It’s cool downtown.
Bravo on the glacier photo! Did you ever find out what the iron chickens were for?
Thanks Jess! I’m playing with super long exposures with help from a 10-stop Neutral Density filter for those glaciers.
I just did a little more searching. They are part of “Chicken Yard Park” which had a playground and a school there I believe. In the artwork, a nun is feeding several chickens. Check it out : http://juneauempire.com/art/2013-07-18/seeking-out-juneaus-public-art