Juneau Ridge Run - Sunny September

We just had the most fantastic stretch of dry, crisp autumn weather here in Juneau. Eleven days of sunshine and warm weather carried us right through the fall equinox. And, what better way to spend a sunny Saturday in September than running the Juneau Ridge?



Kari had never been up on the ridge. Having just run it a few weeks ago with Sharon in the clouds, I was eager to run it with the sunshine on my back and analyze the location where Sharon and I had gotten lost (see August 27, Running the Ridge in the Clouds).



In just four short weeks, I had forgotten how steep the first 3 miles is up to the ridge. It's too steep to run, but we hiked at a steady pace with the Gastineau Channel below and were on top in an hour and a half.



The climb from our Subaru to the ridge was close to 3000 feet. According to my Garmin watch, the elevation was 3550 feet at the start of the actual ridge run. We stopped for a power bar, marveled at the 360 degree view, and were quickly off again.



Hhhmmm...maybe I need to work on my running form. It looks like I'm dancing through the lichen and rocks. We're definitely above tree line. Despite the open views, we didn't see any bears or mountain goats. Just a few hikers above us on the trail.



Below is the area where Sharon and I veered to the right in the white-out. It's amazing how much easier it is to stay on the trail when you can see further than 100 feet ahead!



There's still a bit of snow but it's pretty much gone on the top. All of that could change in the next month.



After 3.5 miles on the ridge, we headed down into Granite Basin. It's a rocky mile or so.



Granite Basin has changed in the last several weeks. The lichen has turned red, the Salmon and blue berries are gone, and the brush has retreated.



Granite Basin was full of hikers, climbers and dogs. We stopped to visit with friends several times but still made it back to Perseverance Trail and down to our car in 4:45 minutes.



A beer on the wharf was the perfect ending, and only Kari can run 13 miles through the mountains, gain 5,000 feet of total elevation, and still look spotless at the end!

Here are the Garmin stats, including the elevation chart and satellite view of the trail (reminding me that we live on the edge of vast ice-fields).
Running the Ridge in the Sunshine by anne.johnson1 at Garmin Connect - Details

The rain is back and the nights are coming early. Take care, AJ

Updated photos below: Ridge run with Ed June 2013

Ed enjoys the Juneau scenery

June 2013 - sunshine!

We stopped for 30 minutes and soaked in the warm pool!

Our run time was 4 hours and our total time, including 30 minutes of bathing, was 4:30.  Lots of snow still on top.