Excursion Inlet, Alaska Weather

About Excursion Inlet, Alaska

Excursion Inlet unfolds as a dramatic embrace of formidable mountains and the deep, still waters of its namesake fjord. It lies 37.8 miles west-north-west of Juneau, AK (from Juneau, AK: bearing 283°T), and is situated 10.9 miles east of Gustavus. Jagged peaks, often dusted with the snows of higher altitudes even in summer, plunge steeply towards the sea, their flanks a dense tapestry of emerald and jade where Sitka spruce and hemlock hold tenacious root. The air itself carries a clean, sharp scent of pine needles and salt spray, a bracing tonic that invigorates the senses. Sunlight, when it breaks through the persistent mists, can paint the sheer rock faces in fleeting shades of gold and rose, a celestial artistry reflected in the placid, ink-dark surface of the inlet itself. Here, the land feels ancient and untamed, a place where the raw power of nature is ever present, shaping the very character of the landscape. This sliver of Alaska, though remote, carries echoes of a robust past tied to the bounty of its surrounding waters and forests. For a time, the now-quiet shores of Excursion Inlet were a hub of activity, notably as the site of a large cannery that once processed the abundant pink and sockeye salmon. The ghosts of that industry linger in the weathered pilings and the faint, salty tang that still clings to the air on certain days. Today, while the cannery is long silent, the spirit of enterprise persists, manifesting in a hardy resilience and a deep connection to the natural resources. The primary pulse of Excursion Inlet now beats to the rhythm of fishing vessels heading out at dawn, their engines a low thrum against the vast silence, and the quiet satisfaction of a community deeply rooted in the wild beauty of its Alaskan home.