TERRAIN
Southeast Alaska is a unique place, where wild salmon fill the streams, bald eagles soar, bears roam the forest, and people still make their living off the land. The 17-million acre Tongass National Forest is a part of the Alexander Archipelago and includes a narrow mainland strip of steep and rugged mountains, lush old-growth forests, ice fields and glaciers, over one thousand islands and boasts towering stands of spruce, hemlock, and cedar. Soaking up more than 100 inches of rain per year, the forests provide habitat for healthy populations of bears, deer, wolves, and wild salmon. Mountain goats roam the rocky mountaintops. Countless streams running through mist-shrouded valleys are the spawning grounds for millions of salmon. Blueberries, huckleberries, delicate ferns, and huge skunk cabbages and spiny devil's club all grow under the forest canopy.
WEATHER
Southeast Alaska, including the Juneau area, are located in the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in North America. The rainforest does give Juneau its fair share of rain, however it also keeps the temperatures fairly mild. Spring and summer days can range anywhere from high 70s and sunny to 50's with rain. In the winter temperatures range from highs in the low 40's and lows in the single digits. Juneau also enjoys very long summer days with nearly 18 hours of daylight on the summer solstice, June 21st.
Dressing for this type of weather is best done in layers meaning that you always have an extra layer to put on and one to take off. As the word rainforest suggests, its also wise to never go anywhere without your rain jacket. For current Juneau area weather, click here to visit the National Weather Service website.
Sea Runner Guide Service is permitted through the USDA Forest Service
