Juneau’s weather started much the same with overcast, cloudy skies which turned to a steady rain that morning. We had a late lunch under a tent having the best, all you can eat, “baked” salmon diner. I sit in front of my computer salivating while recalling the meal, no, feast that was prepared for us. Sorry, I got a little ahead of myself. The only planed excursion in
Juneau is the Mendenhall Glacier, Macaulay Hatchery tour, & Salmon Bake. The stop in Juneau is a short one, docking at 6:30 am and departing at 4:00 pm. We boarded our buss and headed to the Mendenhall Glacier where trails and large wood walkways built above the water ways gave us a look at our first bear. The small Black bear cub had been chased up a tree we presumed, by its mother. There were “signs” (bear poop and fish parts,I thought of a picture of the “signs” then reconsidered) of bear all over the forest floor and along the shore line and we were sure the presence of a larger bear had caused the mother bear to take these precaution in order to protect the cub. The little bear looked to David and I to be a second year cub which would most likely make this his last fishing trip with mom. Up a path we did see a large Black bear sleeping away what surly had been a fresh fish meal. The bear lounged not fifteen yards from the trail! A little unnerving I must admit. The
Mendenhall Glacier is a site to see.
I like this picture which captures the size, the enormity, of not only the glacier but the waterfall that the rangers say had not been this large in many years. This glacier, as most glaciers in Alaska, but not all, is receding back up into the mountains. I was a bit surprised to hear that the rangers, while not 100% convinced that the receding ice is due to global warming, they are warming up to this theory. The newly renovated visitor center was very busy. So busy in fact we were unable to see the video that gives the history of Mendenhall Glacier. We got back on the buss and twenty minutes later were being given a tour of the
Macaulay Hatchery which I found very informative and interesting. By 1:30 pm we were sitting down to that great baked/grilled salmon I had mentioned earlier. Salmon Creek put on quite the feast.
The salmon was grilled over a wood burning fire. David and I went back for several pieces of Coho salmon. The Coho was delicious! All three stops, Mendenhall Glacier, Macaulay Hatchery and Salmon Creek are a must see if you ever visit Juneau.
A short walk up Salmon Creek revealed beautiful waterfalls along with spawning salmon in the creek.
Next post ... Ketchikan or "
Are you on the boat with me"???
I like this picture which captures the size, the enormity, of not only the glacier but the waterfall that the rangers say had not been this large in many years. This glacier, as most glaciers in Alaska, but not all, is receding back up into the mountains. I was a bit surprised to hear that the rangers, while not 100% convinced that the receding ice is due to global warming, they are warming up to this theory. The newly renovated visitor center was very busy. So busy in fact we were unable to see the video that gives the history of Mendenhall Glacier. We got back on the buss and twenty minutes later were being given a tour of the Macaulay Hatchery which I found very informative and interesting. By 1:30 pm we were sitting down to that great baked/grilled salmon I had mentioned earlier. Salmon Creek put on quite the feast. 
The salmon was grilled over a wood burning fire. David and I went back for several pieces of Coho salmon. The Coho was delicious! All three stops, Mendenhall Glacier, Macaulay Hatchery and Salmon Creek are a must see if you ever visit Juneau.
A short walk up Salmon Creek revealed beautiful waterfalls along with spawning salmon in the creek.
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