Overview
Cairn Peak is a prominent mountain that stands west of the Juneau Ice Field in the overlying Alaskan Coast Range Region. Located within the Juneau Borough, Cairn Peak is a very accessible mountain and can be approached via numerous ridges, by glacier, or as some do in winter, by means of helicopter or ski plane.
For those willing, Cairn Peak offers climbers a demanding view of the Lemon Creek Glacier and Ptarmigan Glacier and of its impressive neighbors from Observation Peak all the way to Split Thumb and the expansion of Heintzleman Ridge to the North and Juneau Ridge to the South.
Getting There
For the Blackerby Ridge Route on Cairn Peak, take the following directions: From downtown Juneau take Egan Drive south to Salmon Creek (turnoff for the hospital). Turn right. Make another right on Wire Street, then left on Greenwood Avenue. Trailhead is on right side of the road.
Red Tape
There are no fees.
Camping
Check
this site for camping options and cabin rentals.
External Links
For more information about mountains in the area contact the members of
Juneau Alpine Club.
Steve Gruhn - Oct 1, 2008 1:51 am - Hasn't voted
Corrected ElevationThe more recent USGS maps (1:25,000 metric series) give the summit elevation as 1383 meters, which equates to 4537 feet.
Dan Leonhard - Oct 1, 2008 2:39 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Corrected ElevationYup, my map seems to be outdated, it grew 32 feet. Thanks for the updated info!
willymca - Jan 30, 2017 5:49 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Corrected ElevationWas this a re-measurement of the peak? 4505 does not sound like a map estimate, it sounds more like triangulation, and unless the peak was re-measured, it should remain. Just because someone makes a metric map does not mean they "improved" the original measurements. If you want to use Feet, don't use Metric maps.
bricepollock - Jul 23, 2019 9:45 pm - Hasn't voted
Drone Video of the Peak + Trail Report w/ photosClimbed in July 2019, would be nice to add my route write up (http://www.bricepollock.com/goats-and-glaciers-on-cairn-peak/) and drone videography (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CqBO6KEaU&feature=youtu.be) to the external links.