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August 12, 2013 Monday
Day 36
The best part about Juneau by far is Mendenhall Glacier in the Tongass National Forest. Mendenhall Glacier is one of 38 large glaciers that flow from the Juneau Icefield. Mendenhall Lake is a beautiful aquamarine blue with huge icebergs floating in it; this combined with the glacier and a stunning waterfall just takes your breath away. Today was a sunny warm day as we hiked from the visitors center along Nugget Falls Trail to the lake, glacier and falls. Wildflowers all along the way. We rested on the beach at the lake, in the sun just admiring the scenery. On our way back we picked up a small floating piece of ice from the lake. Cool.
Next we hiked Steep Creek Trail. This trail is a boardwalk through the forest with fencing on each side because Steep Creek runs under the boardwalk and the sockeye salmon are now spawning in the creek - a favorite feeding place for black bears. We had such a fun time watching bears just below us catching fish in the creek. One little guy we watched getting chased up a tree by bigger bears. He was patient and persistent, waiting and watching in the tree until the big guys left, then right back down to the creek he came to try to catch a fish or just get the leftovers left by the big bears. The Forest Service Ranger told us this bear was about 18 old and was recently left to fend for himself because his mother had had another cub. The rangers have been watching him and they were pleased with his progress, They believed he would make it because he was such a scrappy fellow. He was so cute. I'll post some pictures soon.
This place was so picturesque -the green forest, the fast running, salmon-filled creek with ducks swimming and bald eagles swooping down. Steep Creek flows from turquoise blue Mendenhall Lake which has icebergs floating by at the mouth of the creek. Mountains all around. Gorgeous.
We cooked a nice dinner at camp, drove around the campground a bit, then turned in.
Wildlife Sightings
Bears
Eagles
Ducks
Sockeye Salmon
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