Kinny's Mystique Travelouge: Juneau & Glacier Bay National Park

We will visit Juneau & Glacier Bay National Park in this post. Both these locations in Alaska are Travellers Paradise & must visit once in your lifetime. I have had the privilege to visit this beautiful part of the Globe 6 years consecutive years & would like to share some of my first hand experience on my visits here. Alaska is a paradise on Earth which once belonged to Russia & was purchased by United States in 1867 for $ 7.2 Million (a cheap bargain for a fact that Alaska is filled with hordes of Natural Resources & amazing Fauna and Flora.

Juneau:- In 1880, it was slow going for Joe Juneau and Richard Harris as they searched for gold with the help of Native guides. After climbing mountains, forging streams and facing countless difficulties, they found nuggets “as large as beans.” From their discovery came three of the largest gold mines in the world. By the end of World War II, more than $150 million in gold had been mined. Eventually the mines closed, but the town Joe Juneau founded became the capital of Alaska and the business of gold was replaced by the business of government.

Some 30,000 people live in Juneau. Its total area makes it one of the biggest towns, in size, in the world. Only Kiruna, Sweden, and Sitka, Alaska, exceed Juneau’s 3,248 square miles. Today Juneau is famous not only for gold and government but also for its breathtakingly beautiful glaciers and stunning views of both water and mountains. Juneau is not accessible by roads (Primary Access by Sea & Air). Downtown Juneau sits at Sea below steep mountains of about 4,000 feet. Atop these mountains in the Juneau Icefield which houses close to 30 Glaciers & is the home to the World Famous Mendenhall Glacier.

Major Points of Attraction in Juneau:-

1. Mendenhall Glacier

2. Whale Watching

3. Macaulay Salmon Hatchery

4. Mt. Roberts Tramway

5. Dog Sledding & Libby Riddles

Mendenhall Glacier - Formed during the Little Ice Age, which began about 3,000 years ago, the glacier is fed from an ice-field high above Juneau. From across an iceberg-dotted lake you will see the magnificent glacier, a dynamic flowing force, carving its way seaward. Sustained by the geography and unique climate of the area, Mendenhall Glacier has been able to survive much longer than other glaciers in North America. Its existence continues to provide us with new insights into past, present, and future climatic conditions.

Whale Watching - The Inside Passage waters near Juneau support a very healthy humpback whale population. These magnificent mammals spend the summer months in the nutrient-rich waters before heading to Hawaii to mate and give birth. The whales have a breathing cycle that typically lasts four to six minutes; surfacing several times in quick succession to recharge their oxygen supply, then showing their massive tail flukes before disappearing into the depths to feed on krill and small schooling fish. These graceful giants amaze you as they arc their massive tails into the air. If you lucky you will even catch sight of Orca - Killer Whales.

You can book independent Whale Watching Excursions with several tour operators, i.e. Dolphin Jet Boat Tours, Best Damn Charters, or on Scania with Capt. Jack to name a few. Be sure to bring a warm jacket and take advantage of the topside observation deck. If conditions allow, an underwater hydrophone is deployed for a chance to hear the humpbacks’ incredible “singing.”

WHALE WATCHING

Orca - Killer Whales

Humpback - Tail of the Whale

Dog Sledding - The state’s most famous athletes are The Huskies that run in the Iditarod.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance Sled Dog race run in early March from Anchorage to Nome. The state’s most famous athletes are The Huskies that run in the Iditarod.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual long-distance Sled Dog race run in early March from Anchorage to Nome. Mushers and a team of 16 dogs, of which at least 6 must be on the towline at the finish line, cover the distance in 9–15 days or more. The Iditarod began in 1973 as an event to test the best sled dog mushers and teams but evolved into today’s highly strenuous competitive race. Being a part of the Onboard Shore Excursions Team of Princess Cruises during the Alaskan Itinerary, I was privileged to meet Libby Riddles personally who was the first Woman to win the Iditarod in 1985. Was also honored to attend some of her experiences & lectures she delivered onboard the Ship when in Port.

Other places to visit in Juneau would be taking a Tram Ride from the pier to Mt. Robert, visit the historic remains of the Alaska Gastineau Mills, visit Gold Creek & try your hand at Gold Panning and receive a Gold Claim Certificate as Momemto, visit the famous Taku Lodge where the float plane lands in front of the Taku Lodge directly across the river from the Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier.

The more adventurous type can go biking, Zipline Canopy Adventure, White Water Rafting on Mendenhall River, Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Sea Kayaking or on a Helicopter Tour.

A Black Bear at Taku Lodge

Diamond Princess docked at Juneau from Mt. Roberts

Mt. Roberts Tramway

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a United States National Park and Preserve in the Alaska Panhandle. Just west of Juneau, this breathtaking national park and preserve boasts some of the world’s most spectacular tidewater glaciers, such as Margerie Glacier, which often drops colossal chunks of ice into the sea. Not surprisingly, Glacier Bay National Park and its epic ice giants are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising Alaska’s magnificent park system.

There are nearly 15 tidewater Glaciers in the Park. About 75% of the visitors arrive on Cruise Ships which spends the entire day on a scenic cruise in the park. The Park Rangers will join the ship to share their knowledge of this amazing place and host a fun Junior Ranger program for kids. They may even be able to help you identify Glacier Bay’s abundant wildlife, including humpback whales, sea otters, porpoises, harbor seals, black-bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and large colonies of seabirds. Take in the awe inspiring scenery as you enjoy an unforgettable day of sailing through this dazzling park, where you’ll glide along emerald waters and past calving icebergs, and can breathe in the crisp, fresh air to your heart’s content.

In -park accommodations are available at the Glacier Park Lodge, along with activities such as Trekking, Kayaking, Rafting, Fishing etc.

One of the most beautiful & serene places on Earth with an abundance of Wild Life.