Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau

Juneau was founded as a gold-mining camp in 1880, became the Alaska territorial capital in 1900, and the Alaska state capital in 1959 (upon statehood).  The city is located in the panhandle of southeast Alaska, 900 miles (1,450 km) northwest of Seattle and 600 miles (965 km) southeast of Anchorage and is the only US state capital with no road access.  We get off the ship and take an excursion that hikes to an overlook from which to view the Mendenhall Glacier which is 12 miles (19 km) long, 1/2 mile (0.8 km) wide and 300 to 1,800 feet (90 to 550 meters) deep.

Approaching Juneau

Joining the other ships

As we start our hike to the glacier, we spot signs in the trees along the trail of where the end of the glacier was located in the past.  The glacier has been slowly retreating since the mid-1700s.

Starting up the trail

Previous glacier edges

Hiking to the glacier

Lots of waterfalls

Passing a lake along the way

After a good walk through the forest, the path starts up steeply, with handrails to help guide us over the slippery rocks.  On one section, we have to face the rock wall and descend, slowly looking for footholds and handholds.  Then, more steep pathways lead up, with handrails.

Heading up

First view of the glacier

We continue up, with increasingly-expansive views.

More views of the glacier

Returning, we descend slowly down the steep paths and reach the flatter trails through the moss-covered forest leading back to our van.

Returning through the forest

The National Park Service notes that there are 10-12 search and rescue efforts here annually as the route to the face of the glacier has steep grades with slipper rock surfaces and is not clearly marked (bring plenty of food and water, allocate six to eight hours round trip, and be prepared to spend the night).

National Park Service map and warning

We don't make it all the way to the glacier surface (and don't spend the night), but get fabulous views from several perspectives above the ice.