STAY OFF THE FLUME

That was the subject line on an email from a Juneau reader after last week's post about the Flume Trail.  I thought others ought to hear his message too.  With his permission I’m posting an edited version of the email.

Steve, a serious warning:

STAY OFF THE FLUME.  It's at the bottom of the biggest avalanche chute on Mt. Juneau, and the chute is loaded.

I don’t know who gave you the advice, but they haven't lived here long enough to know...  See the maps and photos at

http://www.juneau.org/manager/documents/Juneau_urban_avalanche_photos_part2.pdf

where Page 11-12-13 is the result of a big avalanche coming down that chute.  I was in the Capitol Building at the time, and it was like an eclipse as the snow cloud enveloped downtown.  The runout filled the canyon and came up above the road where the trees are still missing.

I've lived here all my life, and I won't go up Basin Road after any significant snow build up on the top of Mt. Juneau.  I certainly would not now go past the Gold Creek bridge, nor on the flume side of the canyon.

I also wouldn't go running out Thane Road, which is a beautiful run/bike ride when it's not avalanche season.  Once there is significant snow buildup on Mt. Roberts, Thane Road is an avalanche zone once you pass the GCI earth station and the Thane Campground, which are right on the edge of the avalanche runout.  See

http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/2007/03/more-avalanche-photos.html

[avalanche photo from the link]

The best running alternative this time of year is Old Glacier Highway past the high school to Twin Lakes.  The highway is relatively low traffic and has wide shoulders and good sidewalks.

But please, if you value your life, stay off the flume until April.  Just look at the avalanche runout above the flume from the Basin road side as you go around the corner to the causeway.

BTW, one of my ancestors built that flume.  The water goes to a power house below the Gov's mansion, across the parking lot from the Federal Building.  It's been generating power since the early  1920s.

HarpboyAK

So, despite the fact that these trails are steps from our house, I guess I'll be exploring other running paths.