Juneau is the capital city of the gorgeous state Alaska and it is well known for its incredible wildlife and the Glaciers. Juneau lies in the southernmost part of Alaska on the Panhandle. The city can only be reached by sea or air as there are no roads to this small coastal city. Downtown Juneau is surrounded by Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts and Gastineau Channel. The beautiful and most iconic site of the Juneau is the Mendenhall Glacier and is just a short drive from the downtown. The Mendenhall Glacier is in the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. A 13 mile long Mendenhall glacier ends at Mendenhall Lake and it can be easily viewed from the visitor center.
These photos are from our visit to Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau during the last week of August, 2013.
Quick Facts and Tips
- Best time to visit: June to September
- Port of Call or Fly Into: Juneau, Alaska
- Clothing
- It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, hiking shorts, T-shirts, warm jackets, scarfs, coats, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/snow boots.
- What to Expect
- Glacier, Snow-capped mountains, Fjords, Waterfalls, Iceberg-dotted lakes, Valleys, Wildlife, Rugged coastlines
- Best Things to do
- Visit and enjoy the massive view of Mendenhall Glacier, lake and falls. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is a great starting point where you can capture panoramic view of the glacier.
- Do rafting/kayaking on iceberg floating Mendenhall Lake.
- Make a trip to Glacier bay National Park.
- Take a tour to Tracy Arm Fjords to see the stunning blue colored Sawyer Glacier.
- Ride a Mount Roberts Tramway
- Walk around downtown Juneau.
- Book any one of the Mendenhall glacier tours
- Juneau Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour
- Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour
- Glacier Walk & Helicopter Tour
- Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip
- Juneau Mendenhall Glacier & Salmon Bake Tour
- Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour
- Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour
- Popular hikes in The Mendenhall Glacier area
- Photo Point Trail: Easy and short 0.6 mile round trip from Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, as the name suggests trail is best to capture panoramic shots of Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding peaks.
- Nuggets Falls Trail: Flat and easy 2 mile round trip from Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. At the end, the hike opens up to the powerful, beautiful, impressive, roaring and misty waterfall.
- West Glacier Trail: Moderate 4 mile round trip, starts at the end of Skaters Cabin Road, offers spectacular view of large section of the glacier surrounded by mountain range that is not seen from the visitor center area.
- Other Attractions
- Tracy Arm Fjord: Located just southeast of Juneau. This ice-covered glacial fjord cuts through some breathtaking scenery of Sawyer glacier, turquoise color water with floating icebergs, descending vertical rock walls and waterfalls. The impressive blue colored twin Sawyer Glacier at the head of the Fjord are enchanting.
- Glacier Bay National Park: Offers stunning scenery with enormous glaciers, pleasant rainforests, hidden fjords, and a rugged coastline.
32 replies on “Juneau, Alaska”
Very peaceful, lovely
Thanks!
Liked it👍
Thank you!
super
Thanks!
Great place…beautiful scenes, Jyothi!!
Thanks Indira!
Excellent information! Thank you.
Thanks for reading!
Great work Jyothi! Between your photos and that of John (Salsa World Traveler) I am getting more and more interested in Alaska.
Alaska is known for its natural beauty! Its Beautiful, Leighton! Thanks for the kind words!
Beautiful, for sure Jyothi. Hope those glaciers are able to stick around. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Yup.. true Allan! Thanks!
Beautiful pictures Jyothi. Maggie
Thanks Maggie!
Marvellous photos 😊 and what an amazing capital !
Thanks!!
Those glaciers are incredible 🙂
Thanks Hannah!
Beautiful pictures. I was in Juneau many years ago and this brings back many memories
Glad to hear that! It is a beautiful town!
Excellent information, photos are not looking old
Thank you so much!
Beautiful Jyothi! 🙂
Thanks!
Gorgeous pictures. I would LOVE to visit Alaska someday.
Thank you!
This is a great collection of photos!
Thanks Diana! Even though it was gloomy rainy day, we really enjoyed our hike to Nuggets Falls and walk through the streets of downtown Juneau.
Sometimes gloomy skies make for neat looking photos too!
Great tips to explore one of the most beautiful sites in Juneau, Alaska! The Mendenhall Glacier looks stunning and offers so many adventurous activities.