See a glacier, a lake and a waterfall all in one place!
During our Alaskan cruise aboard the magnificent Disney Wonder we decided to visit Mendenhall Glacier on our own. It turned out to be an affordable and hassle-free adventure that exceeded our expectations. Let's dive into the details!
The Mendenhall Glacier is 13-mile-long glacier located inside Tongass National Forest and is truly incredible. The glacier ends at Mendenhall Lake where you can watch it calve into the water making mini-icebergs. There are a number of trails and viewpoints including one that takes you very close to the toe of the ice and the base of Nugget Falls. You may also run into wildlife along the way – mountain goats, beavers, bears and salmon – depending on the season.
Getting There
One of the best aspects of this excursion is how easy it is to reach Mendenhall Glacier and Lake. The glacier is 12 miles outside of Juneau and there are several options for getting there. We simply hopped on a bus from Juneau, which was both affordable and convenient. This public bus stops 1.2 miles from the glacier and is less than $5 per adult. Juneau Tours and M&M tours also offer a guided bus ride and there are taxi companies that you can reserve in advance.
Up Close and Personal
The Mendenhall Glacier is a magnificent sight and we were amazed at how close we could get to it without much trouble. No advanced hiking skills are needed-just an easy walk full of nature at its finest! As a family of avid hikers, we can list this in our top 5 hikes ever-- the views were that amazing!
Marvelous Waterfall
Nugget Falls is the massive thundering waterfall that flows adjacent to the glacier. The sight and sound of the cascading water was simply awe-inspiring. It provided a breathtaking backdrop for our family photos and added an extra touch of magic to our adventure. Our kids loved playing in the mist and scrambling up rocks around the falls.
Kid-Friendly Fun:
Traveling with kids can sometimes be a challenge, but Mendenhall Glacier and Lake had something for everyone. Our kids loved the freedom to run, climb, and explore the surrounding area. The wide-open spaces offered them a chance to burn off some energy while we soaked in the stunning views.
Unforgettable Photo Opportunities
If you're a photo enthusiast Mendenhall Glacier and Lake is a dream come true. Everywhere we turned, there were picture-perfect moments just waiting to be captured. From the immense glacier to the glistening lake, every angle provided a fantastic backdrop for our family snapshots.
Conclusion
Visiting Mendenhall Glacier and Lake during our port stop in Juneau was an absolute delight for our family. It was an affordable and easily accessible excursion from the Disney Wonder. We were in awe of the glacier's magnificence and captivated by the cascading water. Our kids had a blast exploring, and the abundance of photo opportunities made it a truly memorable experience. If you find yourself in Juneau, we highly recommend embarking on this family-friendly adventure.
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