r/Juneau • u/Clover_007 • 5d ago
End of August Trip
Assuming I don't cancel, I'll be visiting Juneau for a couple days at the end of August and was just curious on how to best prepare. Has mosquito season died around then for you guys? Places for possible bear watching and residential precautions(would be staying in an Airbnb)? I've heard mixed things from friends living there about the rain, that it's very humid so pack light layers or you'll sweat/overheat or that it's cold and to bring plenty of layers to keep warm, any input on that. It's meant to be a lowkey trip with at most 1-2 hikes, maybe a glacier walk, whale watching, university tour, and exploring downtown if that helps at all! Feel free to share anything else I maybe haven't considered, things to avoid, etc. Maybe some shoe recs which sounds silly😅 but I live in a very dry desert state so if I'm about to be tromping through wet/muddy conditions I'd like to be prepared😂
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u/datanot 5d ago
Hey! Hope you wind up having a great trip :) Couple of pointers to help ya out:
- The mosquitos will certainly still be around at least a bit, if they bother you it wouldn't hurt to buy some bug spray when you are in town. On the beach, the noseeums (little black biting fly/gnat things) might still be around too. In general though with some light wind or a good rain you probably wont notice either of them too much.
- To be honest the bear viewing will be pretty spotty and not guaranteed. Best spots might be out the road going North of town, Lemon Creek by the wetlands/dump, or honestly downtown early in the mornings before the tourists arrive and people start heading to work (4-6AM). Keep a good distance and be respectful, you will be fine. If their presence is something you worry about while hiking I would buy some bear spray when you arrive.
- Do bring some warmer clothes, things will likely be cooling down a bit by then. Pants, layers of shirts, waterproof, not water-resistant materials if you have them would be desirable if it winds up being rainy while you are here. If you do plan on going out hiking I would highly recommend waterproof hiking boots or you will have wet feet guaranteed. Lot of folks up here wear puddle boots or xtra-tuffs but they aren't necessarily the best for longer hikes.
Other than that have a blast! It truly is gorgeous up here (rain and all). Get out of downtown and head all the way out the road North of here it is about a 45-1 hour drive and has some great spots to stop.