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BackMount Roberts Tramway
The adventure begins at the cruise ship dock
in downtown Juneau where we
boarded a tramcar adorned in colorful Tlingit artwork that provides an
exhilarating ride through the Southeast Alaska rainforest to the 1800
foot level of Mount Roberts. Experience one of the most expansive and
beautiful views offered in all Alaska, from the Chilkat Mountains to the
north, down the Gastineau Channel to the lands and waterways of the
south, west to Douglas Island, and east into Silver Bow Basin where gold
was discovered near the head of Gold Creek in 1880.
Once at the top, is a multi-million dollar
mountain complex. The Mountain House (Shaa Hit) is nestled among
towering Sitka Spruce trees on the edge of the grasses and wildflowers
of the sub-alpine. The complex houses the Chilkat Theater, Raven Eagle
Gifts, the Timberline Bar & Grill and
offers access to The Nature Center, an eagle exhibit and the extensive
Mount Roberts improved trail system. Visitors are introduced to the
Tlingit culture through the award winning film Seeing Daylight, shown
every half hour in the Chilkat Theater.
Frommer's Review
The tram takes only 6 minutes to whisk passengers from tourist-clogged
Franklin Street to the clear air and overwhelming views at the tree line
(at 1,760 ft.), a destination that used to require a day of huffing and
puffing to witness. The tram can be crowded; it's once you're up there
that the beauty hits you. The Alaska Native owners have done a good job of building a network of paths that
take advantage of the views as you pass through a fascinating alpine
ecosystem; the owners have even carved clan crests into the living
trunks of some of the trees. If you're energetic, you can start a 6-mile
round-trip hike to Mount Roberts's summit (at 3,819 ft.), or you can
hike the 2.5 miles back to downtown. There's an auditorium at the top
tram station showing a film on Tlingit culture, a shop where Native
artisans are often at work, and a bald eagle enclosure. The bar and
grill serves lunch and dinner.
History
The concept for the Mount Roberts Tramway started in 1994 when Goldbelt entered a partnership with the Mount Roberts Development Corporation (MRDC). Construction started in August 1995 and began limited operation in August 1996. By spring of 1997 the tram was ready to open with full services including a 150-seat restaurant, 120-seat theatre featuring the award winning Seeing Daylight, retail space and an extensive trail system.
Goldbelt further committed itself to the tram in the spring of 1998 by entering negotiations with the MRDC to purchase its interest in the tram. On May 1, 1998 Goldbelt became the 100 percent owner of Mount Roberts Tramway and formed Goldbelt Aerial Tramway, Inc.
Today the Mount Roberts Tramway is one of the most visited attractions in Southeast Alaska carrying over 200,000 visitors each tour season. Goldbelt is committed to making this a valuable place for locals to visit frequently in addition to tourists. The full service restaurant has sumptuous menu selections including Alaska seafood and all you can eat fresh crab in season. Local musicians frequently share their talents on the mountain, including the Zahasky Family Band.
Artists regularly demonstrate their craft at the top of the tram in one of Juneau's most beautiful retail shops, Raven-Eagle Gifts.
In 2000 new viewing platforms were added to the extensive trail system along with new interpretive signs highlighting the unique flora, fauna and wildlife in the area. A traditional 30' totem pole carved by Stephen Jackson, son of Tlingit Master Carver Nathan Jackson, was erected in the harbor terminal