Juneau is the capital of Alaska. It is large by Alaskan standards; 30,000 people, but it has a small town feel, since it is very spread out over many miles of shore line. There is very little flat land in these parts, so many towns are built on pilings above the water, or on landfill made from old gold mine tailings.
A short bus trip would give us our first chance to see a glacier, Mendenhall Glacier. Most glaciers are way out in the wilderness and only accessible by helicopter or boat, but not this one. Mendenhall has the special distinction as the most visited "drive-in" glacier.
We knew we wanted to hike up around the glacier, but had heard there were bears in the area. We were warned to bring loud bells, and/or noisy kids with us. I bought a "bear bell”, which rings as you walk. Though, before we got on the bus, a local said those were known as "dinner bells", and they worked about as well as pepper spray, which they like to call "seasoning". We compromised by muffling the bear bell in our pack. We talked to others that came across a bear on the trail that day, and saw bears running around the visitor center. We weren't that lucky.
We hiked several miles, gaining at least 500 feet, through some of the lushest forests imaginable. It is a temperate rain forest. Everything was covered with moss and ferns. It was so very green.
Being new to glaciers, we were impressed. Mendenhall is 12 miles long, with a face that is 200 feet high and 1.5 miles wide.
