Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Juneau Day 3

Decided to climb to the Tram, which is on Mt. Roberts. One can pay $27 for an up and down ride or walk the 2-3 miles to the top and ride down. Supposed to be a nice view when the weather cooperates and the day was fair, so took off.
Lynn visited the State Capital and took a tour. Also, shopped and looked at some historical buildings along with the Gov. Mansion.

After all the food we've been eating and micro beer we've been drinking, mostly Alaskan Amber, which is brewed here in Juneau, I figured a decent walk was in order.
After the walk, Lynn and I hit the brewery for a tour, some (ok, many) samples and some purchases. OK, I've posted this site a couple times.
To be fair, I had this one at dinner. It was really good, as well.

To get to the trailhead one needs to walk up through town. Got out of the tourist district and came across this when I was passing a local residents house.
Found out he's a local artist. Went to his shop. He said he's invited a few folks into his house that notice his banner when walking by....no takers yet.
After a bit on the trail. Our hotel is the red building at the base of the bridge, just behind and left of the large (federal) building.
Western Hemlock, don't suspect the Hemlocks on my land will reach the size and height of these old growth trees any time soon.Getting heated up from the walk. This is a Stika Spruce old growth. Many of them around.
More views from the trail.
Top of a cruise ship and a float plane taking off.
Starting a sea level and climbed around 1600 feet in 2-3 miles. Nice walk.

At the top of the tram and the end of the trial up there were some totems carved into a few of the trees. Also, a nice theater that had a 20 minute film on the native Tlinget People. There is 2-3 miles more trial on top if one wants to walk some more.

They had this mature eagle there. It had been shot through the beak and a wing and when it hit the ground, it's left eye was damaged and it went blind in it.
Looking down as a tram car comes up.
I just walked on the down tram with the rest of the tourists as they loaded but I've been told they prefer to have you spend $5 in the gift shop and then ride down is "free".


Video on the way down the tram. A float plane lands by a sailboat. Decent view of part of Juneau.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Juneau Day 2

After seeing 3 kayaks yesterday at Mendenhall Lake/Glacier, I knew what I had to do.....
Took off after my breakfast of smoked salmon mixed with cream-cheese on a bagel. Took a couple along for a snack, as well.
Long way off yet. A mile maybe?

The falls near the glacier.
Larger boat alongside a berg.
The nose of the glacier.


Pics of a guy that was part of the group that came out with me.



Ice from the piece that broke off across from me.
The nose from the right side after I landed.


The piece that broke off is from the left point with ice chunks from it in the water.
See the 3 people? Center top.
4 people on the rocks far lower left.


Erratics.
The nose straight on.
The nose from the left side of glacier.

Large erratic ready to drop in the water.




Looking back toward the visitors center, 2-3 miles away. At one time, in the 1930's, glacier ended where the center is now located.

A short way from our hotel was a bridge across the Gastineau Channel. A yacht, a sailboat and a group of 3 kayaks to the far left by the buoy tower.





Vids of the Mendenhall Glacier and Lake.




Saturday, August 1, 2009

Juneau Day 1

SWEET room at the Juneau Hotel. Full kitchen and washer and dryer in the room.

By the time we got off the ferry and checked into our room it was 1PM. A very unusual day in Juneau, sunny and around 75 degrees, so we decided to head out to the Mendenhall Glacier, what Juneau is known for.
We had seen it coming in on the Ferry, now we wanted a closer look.
Took the City bus to within a mile of the park and we walked the rest of the way.

Along the way:


Coming into the Park.
Lynn is getting concerned. The salmon were running and bears were reported to be everywhere.


To watch a live cam of this Creek (Steep Creek) and maybe see a bear grab a fish??, go here and click on the pic, as directed.



Lynn getting up close and personal with the wildlife at the Center.

Taken from the Visitors Center.
After a 20 minute walk from the Visitors Center.
About a mile wide and 300 feet tall in some spots.



Web cam from Visitors Center updated every 5 minutes.