July 24- Glacier Bay Adventure - Day 6 - Return to Juneau

After a day of monsoon rains, I wake up to a sunny morning (yea). Great start for my last 1/2 day in Glacier Bay. Three of us (plus the guide) decided last night to walk the Upper Falls trail (which is about 2.5 miles one way). The trail starts near the lodge so its easy.

With the rain drops still on the vegetation the Fireweed looks extra nice this morning. And the creeks are flowing.

The landscape varies from open to forested (sitka spruce and hemlock still). We see Fireweed, Lupine (just a few), Lady Tressis Orchids, Monkshood (which is new for this trip), Grasses of Parnassis, 

Skunk Cabbage (with spent flowers), etc.

Its a good bird day as well with Chickadees, a woodpecker and many many LBB (Little Brown Birds). The highlight are Stellar Jays (beautiful blue). 

At first we see one on the road and just a little further up there are at least 4-5 of them - perhaps a family of Jays. (It's here we also hear the pecking of the woodpecker and of course see it.)

The trail gives some pretty good views of the water towards Glacier Bay.

After passing the old pump house, its just a little further to the falls. We of course hear it before seeing it tucked into the forest. Pretty decent size and its following pretty good after all the rain. Looks a little dirty probably because of the tanins in the water from the conifer trees.

After sitting a resting for a bit, we head back to the lodge - our van awaits for the trip to the airport and back Juneau.

Had a great time here -- the folks at the lodge were so helpful, happy, and family-like. 5 stars for me. And Glacier Bay is spectacular!!!!

The next adventure is the flight to Juneau. We pass by our home (Bear Track Lodge) as we leave the airport.

And the flight is wonderful. I see 3 Bald Eagles on the way. Two were flying beneath in different spots along the way. The third was on a sand bar as we were descending into Juneau.

No glaciers to fly over but lots of open water and little lakes and islands.

At one point, those of us on the left side of the plane could see humpback whales bubble netting. There was a vessel nearby watching them.

As we approach Juneau, I can see the Mendenhall Glacier (that's where we are going later this afternoon). Pretty nice.

After lunch, we head to the glacier. We park and I wonder why there are so many people gathered in one spot off the parking lot. I see Rangers so I figure they are giving a talk. But someone says there's a bear! I head over and sure enough there is a Black Bear!!! Looks like he is eating the grasses --- but he's really eating the Nagoonberries. He also takes a small tree brand in his mouth and strips the leaves off.

I walk away to see the little creek (Steep Creek) in back of the bear - there are Salmon (we were told Coho) in there starting their migration up to their spawning grounds!!

I head back to watch the bear - he gets to the little bridge, stands up and takes a scratch on two legs!! It's a really long shake-n-shimmy; must feel good. I also figure out that the "he" is really a "she". I've only seen that kind of scratching on TV.

Time to head out to see the glacier.

And on the larger rocks, I can see the scratches remaining from the glaciers.

We head out to Nugget Falls (just a mile walk). Quick little walk - see a porcupine in a tree right alongside the trail.

We get to the falls -- really nice.

Time to head back. Before getting back to the hotel, we make a stop at the Hatchery. It's closed now but the outdoor tanks are still viewable.

The tanks are built as a fish ladder with the fish moving from one tank to the next as they would moving upstream (and over obstacles) in the wild). And there a tons of fish - Chum Salmon. These fish are large and not being released into the wild but returning "home" to the hatchery to breed and ultimately die as they are at the end of their life cycle.

And it's a bubbly brew of fish in every ladder "tank"

And in channel's water waiting to make it up the ladders.

The fish are bred and released from here years earlier. This site is imprinted in their beings and this is where they will ultimately return to be counted, utilized for the next generation and ground into dog food and other products. Sounds mean but they have completed there lifecycle at hatchery instead of the wild where they still die or get fed upon by predators. It's still the circle of life.

On the way back to the hotel, we did see quite a few Bald Eagles in the Channel.

Good day!