Skip To Travel Tips

Port 1

Mendenhall Glacier

The Trek There are three ways to get to the Mendenhall Glacier. The first, and most expensive is to go on a cruise line tour. The second, only slightly cheaper method is to go with a shuttle bus. The cheapest, coming in at a grand total of $2 a way, is the city bus self-guided tour. So, the verdict was the cheapest route.

A small caveat, to the self-guided tour was explained to the group as "The bus doesn't go all the way to the park. But the nearest bus stop is right outside the visitors center, so we just have to walk a little." Everyone seemed to be ok with it.

An hour later we arrived at the bus stop that was "right outside" the park entrance. I confirmed with the bus driver and he said, "Yup, just walk to the end of this road."

Thirty minutes into the walk the Glacier began to appear in the distance. Thinking that we were close, I checked Google maps on my phone. To my demise, the map showed that we weren't even halfway there. Luckily, the group was out of earshot when I audibly voiced, "Oh no..."

I turned to notify my fiancee of the situation who replied, "If anyone asks, just say we're close hehehe."

Eventually we made it there.

And then walked another mile to get a little closer to the glacier and see the waterfall. Which I don't have a decent picture of because it was raining and there were water droplets on my lense. Below are more pics of the glacier though!

East Glacier Loop Trail

A few of us decided to hike the East Glacier Loop trail, an easy 3 mile loop with a slight incline in and then lots of stairs out (depending on which direction you go). The trail is well maintained.

Fortunately and unfortunately, we didn't see any bears, just some bear scat along the way. Then it was back to the ship.

Port of Juneau

Travel Tips

The public bus schedule is not synced with google maps. So unless you know the stop and the ending stop you won't be able to find your route. You can use this route, or go to the Juneaucaptialtransit.org site to find the bus route. But basically, go to the downtown transit center, catch the 3 or 4 and get off at 8302 Mendenhall Loop Rd.

To Skagway