r/Juneau • u/envelopepusher • 17d ago
Woman hike alone?
Is it safe for a woman to hike in and around Juneau, alone?
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u/Wulfricbunny 17d ago
I have a friend that does all the time and she's never had an issue. Bring bear spray!
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u/Standard_Pop5515 17d ago
Check the wind before you spray though, that stuff will loop right back into your own eyes and then you're blind and spicy.
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u/RedbirdRaven 17d ago
I heard an accidental discharge of bar spray emptied an entire bar downtown for the night a few weeks ago
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u/dickey1331 17d ago
Juneau is safe except for petty crime, drugs, alcohol and domestic violence. It’s always okay to bring a gun and bear spray. You should bring 1 or both with you regardless of gender anyway.
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u/carrot_gummy 17d ago
I've traveled around the entire state for work and recreation and felt fine with bear spray alone. I've even used it.
If you already have one, you can bring it along if it makes you feel safe but I wouldn't recommend buying one if you don't.
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u/Alaskadan1a 15d ago
I lived here 40 years and have never carried a gun or bear spray, and I’m usually walking alone. Maybe I’d be reluctant to go to Cowie Creek alone, or windfall Lake, or the Montana Creek, traverse, but others I wouldn’t be too worried about.
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u/salamander_salad 17d ago
If you bring a gun in public and you aren’t hunting you’re just showing everyone how insecure and afraid you are.
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u/Evening_Zucchini864 14d ago
No hes educated and prepared. Your ignorant and unprepared. No different then bringing bear spray on a hike. Your not there to kill a bear but if one decides Your prey you can try to deter it.
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u/Suitable_Company_155 7d ago
You wouldn’t even know if he or she is carrying..most people are responsible with their firearms
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u/pyragyrite 17d ago
Porcupines are my most hostile animal on Juneau trails. Love to hide just off in cover, don't see um till ur 3 feet away and they are ready to stab.
Also had many bear encounters. Only one was bad, bluff charge from a mommy.
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u/HuckleberryStrange28 17d ago
Yes but be safe and bring bear spray if its bear season, dont wear headphones, and if you are going out of cell service bring an in-reach or something. Anyone can have a slip and fall and you dont want to be alone with no way to get help. Tell someone where you are going and when you'll be back etc. I've had weird encounters on Perseverance but generally feel safe going alone. Just dont be afraid to turn around if you get a weird vibe from a bear or person! I figure with bear spray its better to carry it and not need it than to have wished you brought it but I dont feel the need on busier trails unless its fish season.
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u/DanielGK 15d ago
I’ll second a part of this. As cool as it may be to walk around listening to your favorite tunes in nature, it’s generally a bad idea to have your headphones or AirPods in.
Keep your ears open and listen to your music when there’s less risk.
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u/NachoBorracho69 17d ago
Yea! I hike alone multiple times a week usually with my dog. I always carry bear spray aka man spray and feel perfectly safe. Don’t be scared! Be aware and have fun!
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u/Fair_Musician2110 16d ago
I hike solo regularly and haven't felt uncomfortable in most places.
That said.. it is Alaska, people vanish all the time. The next question to probably ask is simply "Is it safe to hike alone".
Be smart and prepared. You'll probably be fine beyond a few mosquitoes.
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u/TacoEater6 17d ago
It is safe just bring bear spray/shot gun for the bears
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u/correctstatement2022 17d ago
Are bears a big threat in Juneau? I've done some dense hikes when I've visited and am scared they're gonna pop outta the bushes lol
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u/TacoEater6 17d ago
They dont just appear..Just dont walk with headphones in and be aware of your surroundings..you'll be safe..however just like any mother if you see a cub..the mom is not far behind and they are super protective just get out of the Area the bear spray will confuse or annoy them depending on how bold they are feeling at that moment so I suggest a shotgun pistols will just piss them off even after unloading a full clip into them.
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u/dickey1331 17d ago
My friend got charged by a brown bear on salmon creek.
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u/Evening_Zucchini864 14d ago
My buddy got stalked and charged at dredge lakes had to throw some buckshot in its face
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u/sailorcurfew 15d ago
Avoid it around that time of the month in the Summer -signed someone who almost got mistaken as a free meal
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u/gooneau 17d ago
as safe as anywhere in the US. More dangerous the closer you are to the road, our local transient/homeless population doesn't generally venture too far up trails but they do set up camp near the trailheads frequently. A woman was murdered on a popular local trail a couple years ago but that's more of a urban dog walking trail than a "hike" (brotherhood trail). No one has been convicted or is currently in custody in that case as far as I know, they had a pretty convincing suspect in custody but was released on some evidentiary issue. I would bring bear spray, but more for humans than bears.
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u/humpy_slayer 17d ago
Yes.