Alaska: The Last Frontier; Juneau
If you are interested in visiting Alaska, a cruise is a great way to set sail. Although not the most adventurous of ways to get there, it provides a chance to see some of the most memorable towns. Departing from San Francisco, CA, my family and I made the 10 day journey of Alaska on the Princess Cruise Line. The first stop was Juneau, AK. Juneau, the state capital, has an array of activities to choose from. From shopping, to eating, to hiking the Mendenhall Glacier. The more adventurous soul could choose to zip-line through the forest or fly to the top of the majestic Mendenhall glacier on a helicopter.
I chose a 2 mile round trip hike, at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, that allowed you to get a more up close look at Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, and the surrounding wildlife. The visitor center is located about 15 to 20 minutes outside of Juneau. Bears, Mountain Goats, and Beavers are known to roam, so be on the lookout. Also, remember that there is no food or drink, other than water allowed, for you and the wildlife's safety. The hike is a mild to moderate hike suitable for most everyone. You could easily spend anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours or longer at this beautiful site. If you have time the visitor center offers a short video on the formation of the glacier as well as interesting facts about the site.
Fun Fact: A glacier starts out as a snowflake and slowly compresses until it forms the compacted blue ice we see in a glacier.
After visiting Mendenhall Glacier, we made our way back to the central town of Juneau. There we took the Mount Robert's tramway up to the Mountain House Summit, which is another must see location when visiting. Located walking distance from downtown Juneau, the tramcar makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819 feet and allows breathtaking views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, and the surrounding area. Atop the mountain you can either just take in the views or participate in the many different hiking trails. When finished, simply take the magnificent ride back down to Juneau and continue to explore.
Nugget Falls
Mendenhall Glacier
Mount Robert's Tramway
View from Atop Mount Robert's Tramway and Mountain House Summit
I chose a 2 mile round trip hike, at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, that allowed you to get a more up close look at Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, and the surrounding wildlife. The visitor center is located about 15 to 20 minutes outside of Juneau. Bears, Mountain Goats, and Beavers are known to roam, so be on the lookout. Also, remember that there is no food or drink, other than water allowed, for you and the wildlife's safety. The hike is a mild to moderate hike suitable for most everyone. You could easily spend anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours or longer at this beautiful site. If you have time the visitor center offers a short video on the formation of the glacier as well as interesting facts about the site.
Fun Fact: A glacier starts out as a snowflake and slowly compresses until it forms the compacted blue ice we see in a glacier.
After visiting Mendenhall Glacier, we made our way back to the central town of Juneau. There we took the Mount Robert's tramway up to the Mountain House Summit, which is another must see location when visiting. Located walking distance from downtown Juneau, the tramcar makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819 feet and allows breathtaking views of Juneau, Gastineau Channel, and the surrounding area. Atop the mountain you can either just take in the views or participate in the many different hiking trails. When finished, simply take the magnificent ride back down to Juneau and continue to explore.
Nugget Falls Mendenhall Glacier Mount Robert's Tramway View from Atop Mount Robert's Tramway and Mountain House Summit |
| Ask About Romeo: The beloved black wolf living in the Mendenhall Valley |
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