Juneau is Alaska’s remote capital at the base of 3,819-ft. Mount Roberts. It’s reachable only by boat, regularly from Canada, a once/week plane or floatplane due to the rugged terrain around it. The city center, hugs the side of Mt Juneau and Mt Roberts, with narrow streets running past a mix of new structures, old storefronts and slanted houses held together by a network of long staircases.
The Juneau Icefield is the 5th largest in the western hemisphere and the source of around 40 large valley glaciers and 100 smaller ones. Best known views are the Tracy Arm accessible from Juneau, Glacier Bay and Mendenhall Glacier.
A tram carries people 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts hiking trails, wildflowers and views of Gastineau Channel and our boat is tied up right opposite this.
The waterfront is busy with cruise ships, fishing boats and floatplanes buzzing in and out. There are 3 ships today but sometimes there can be 7 and up to a million visitors a year.
It was very wet on our arrival however just beautiful with the mountains covered in mist, rainforest and wisps of cloud coming and going, quite quickly at times. Mount Juneau has a couple of beautiful waterfalls that appear, disappear and reappear throughout the day.
We headed out whale watching mid morning and the rain stopped! It was however very cold and we were glad we took our beanies. Some patient watching and waiting was rewarded with sightings of orca, humpback whales and sea lions. Pretty darn tricky business catching them on camera though.
One orca gave me a fright popping up right by the boat and I wasn’t camera ready! Got some ok shots of humpbacks and blows. Very exciting to watch.
Also got great views of Herbert Glacier.
Link to photos from Juneau
Heavy rain shower again in the afternoon but fine for window shopping..every second and third shop is a jewellers and all city geared to tourists.
Hot Rock dinner on the deck tonight, complete with rugs and lovely mountain views.
Certainly looks like you having a fabulous time.
“Happy Birthday” wishes Gill for yesterday – I’m sure you had a lovely day xx
Author: Gill
Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3.
My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.
