Until we went to Alaska I had never heard of Nugget Falls, or have seen to a glacier. I will never forget my very first view from the bus window as we were approaching the the park where the glacier flows toward the lake. “IS THAT THE GLACIER?!?!?” I asked jumping out of my seat.
Looking back, I still don’t believe what I saw was real. It was like this huge river of ice that was flowing down the mountain but got stopped in its tracks by a sudden event. An absolutely amazing picture! The most surprising and delightful thing about glaciers is that they are actually flowing, but their movement forward is so slow that it is undetectable to the human eye.
Walking to the Nugget Falls, near the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier is Juneau’s most popular day trip partly because the Mendenhall is the most easily accessible glacier in Alaska. Located just 13 miles from downtown Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier is only one of the 38 glaciers that flow from a 5,000 square mile stretch of ice known as the Juneau Icefield.
The Icefield covers more than 1,500 square miles, and runs all the way from the Taku River up to the town of Skagway. Quite an amazing block of ice!
The glacier had come down to the falls until recent times, but it has been in retreat since the end of the 1700s. The retreat of the Mendenhall and other glaciers in Alaska has some negative effects for the populations living near the glacial areas.
These glaciers are a source of fresh drinking water and once they are gone the people relying on this fresh water will be out of their familiar water source. On the positive side though, with the retreat of the Mendenhall Glacier, the Mendenhall Lake was formed and as the glacier continues to retreat the lake will increase in size. Mendenhall Lake is now populated by salmon and trout and is a popular location for sport fishing.
The huge flow of the Nugget Falls rushes into the lake just in front of the glacier and huge blue icebergs can often be seen floating on the lake. When seeing the fall face to face you realize it is a more than a nugget! It is a very large waterfall that drops 377 feet onto a sand beach near the Mendenhall Lake. The fall is accessible to the public by a circular 2 mile long trail that goes around the lake.
The trail starts next to the Visitor Center and is mainly graveled and easy to walk. The flat sandy/rocky beach area where the falls come down is good for walking around to view the lake and the glacier. We spent some time at the beach gazing at the Glacier and feeling the spray from the waterfall on our faces. We just loved standing there and absorbing it all for some time. The roar of the falls was quite impressive. Nugget Falls is one of the most beautiful places I have seen.
There are park rangers outside near the Visitor Center who are knowledgable and excellent in interacting with the people and educating them about glaciers. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center can be accessed for a nominal fee. There are some exhibits and audio-visual presentations that may be worth watching, but we preferred to spend our time outside, admiring the gorgeous views of the glacier. We were lucky enough to be there in during an unusually warm and sunny day, so we took lots of pictures.
TIP: Do not plan to pack a snack or a meal for this trip as NO FOOD is allowed in the park. This is because there are bears around (though unfortunately we did not see any on the day we visited) and the food attracts bears. If you must eat, visit the Visitor Center and eat inside.
I envisioned Alaska as being like the rest of America, where you can reach amazing natural attractions within a few hours of driving, but I was wrong. In Alaska you don’t need to seek out amazing places; they come to you.
Samantha Sparrow
My word. Mendenhall Glacier looks simply breathtaking. It’s honestly like something from a postcard! I’ve never seen a glacier and I didn’t think it was on my list, but now I’m definitely intrigued to go hiking at one myself. I don’t know what I imagined of Alaska, not know the area well, but this wasn’t it. To be at Nugget Falls with the water splashing my skin would be a perfect experience.
Ami Bhat
The trail really sounds interesting and with some unique views as well. I have seen a few glaciers in Kashmir that slowly melt into fresh water streams. They look so amazing but I have never really noticed them moving forward. I suppose it might not be visible given that it is not a huge water body it forms or breaks away into.
Megan Jerrard
How awesome that you got to see a glacier for the first time! Mendenhall Glacier is a great one to have as your first – we loved our trip too! I find it really fascinating how everything has cause and effort, like for instance the retreat of glaciers meaning less drinking water, but an increase in rivers and therefore seafood like salmon and trout. Beautiful photos – thanks for bringing back memories!
Hannah
Nugget Falls sounds like a beautiful spot – I love how you describe the spray from the falls splashing you – very peaceful! I’ve never seen a glacier (despite growing up in NZ, which has some impressive glaciers of its own). I’d love to visit Alaska, and having the Mendenhall Glacier so close to Juneau, there’s really no excuse not to add it to a visit there.
Carol Colborn
We had the same reaction as you when we saw our first one at Valdez, Alaska. We have been all over Alaska, except Juneau. I would love to complete the picture and see the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls. You have reawakened my love for Alaska!
Lydia Smith
I’ve always argued with my friends that galciers don’t move. I’m so disappointed I know little about what I’ve always loved to see close to me. I have Alaska for later this year and I hope I get to see the wildlife. Mendenhall is beautiful but chances are I won’t see any bear
Rashmi and Chalukya
That picture of Mendenhall Glacier is stunning indeed! The place looks beautiful rich with flora and picturesque landscapes. Alaska is on our list. Hope to visit soon.
noel
I didn’t expect springtime to be happening so soon and so glorious In Alaska, what an stunning place to explore and see waterfalls, icebergs and a huge glacier field. I haven’t done that yet and its on my list.
Vlad
Truly breathtaking scenery, mother nature never fails to amaze us. I had the same feeling when I visited a national park in Helsinki, the only form of life we’ve seen was a duck, haha.
Anda Galffy
Yea, it’s funny that in places where you expect to see a lot of wildlife sometimes you don’t see any.
Linda Bibb
You guys make such a cute couple – and what a backdrop! I’m loving how much of Alaska’s beauty you’ve captured in the photos you’re sharing.
I love the idea of hiking through the park. How much time did you have there?
Rhonda Albom
I have seen glaciers in three continents, yet I still get that same awestruck feeling every time I see one. I love the way you described a glacier; it perfectly describes what I have seen. As for the not seeing bears in the park that day, it is a bit of a mixed blessing. They are not always friendly.
Anda Galffy
I agree, Rhonda. A close encounter with a bear would not have been very pleasant.
Aditi
I am mesmerized by the pictures and description itself!! Can imagine what it must’ve been like…
Mary {The World Is A Book}
Mendenhall was also my first glacier sighting a few years ago. We’ve visited twice now and love that place. It is quite special and wish we had more time to hike and/or kayak. It’s too bad you didn’t see any wildlife. We saw a couple of eagles during our visit. Beautiful photos as always.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Mary. You seem to be going everywhere I go. Maybe we should team up at some point… ha, ha, ha.
Vicki Green
You did indeed have lovely weather. It is definitely a tale of two cruises. We went to some of the same places,but had totally different weather. One of the things that is so much fun about traveling is that even if you go to the same place more than once, it will be a different experience every time!
Anda Galffy
I agree, Vicki. Sometimes though you may spoil the experience by going twice.
Suze - Luxury Columnist
That glacier really does look like it’s frozen, amazing to think that it’s just moving really slowly. I know that you didn’t see bears, is it safe if you do see them up close?
Anda Galffy
I’m sure it’s not safe, Suze, but I was hope to see them at some safe distance.
Marta
What a beautiful, magnificent place! The air seems crystal clear, you must have gotten the perfect day to visit. I think it’s right to be cautious with food: I love the idea of seeing a bear but the actual encounter might be less cute than I think…
Anda Galffy
I agree, Marta. I’d like to see bears from a safe distance. A close encounter is not so desirable.
Anda Galffy
Thank you, Tanja, that’s very kind of you.
Lyn@thetravellinglindfields
I am not sure that you are right when you say no food is allowed in the park. We had some sandwiches with us and asked a ranger whether we would be allowed to eat them on our hike and whether it would be safe. He said it was fine. I know there are signs saying you can’t consume food but the ranger told us that as long as we weren’t there during the salmon run when there were a lot of bears around it was okay and safe.
Anda Galffy
When we were there the rangers asked a tourist who was eating an apple to exit the park immediately. Who knows, maybe you came across a nicer ranger.