Traveling North II: ferry to Juneau & 2 1/2 days in Juneau

Inside Passage - Prince Rupert nach Skagway

Tu May 10th 
Day started with heavy rain… no surprise, Prince Rupert has 41 sunny days and over 230 rainy days every year ;). However, I ran through town to get US$ and food for the ferry. Fortunately the kayakers went on the same ferry as I did and organized a ride, so I could just join them. Finally the ferry left and for the next 30 hours this was the place to hang out. It was a rather small ferry but it wasn’t crowded at all (still low season). We stayed on the sun deck “solarium” which was covered and had some heaters from the top. “We” was a group of mainly Americans going up to Southeast Alaska for summer work (and me). It was great to meet them and we had a good time which was topped by a lot of sunshine… :) The coast along British Columbia and Souteast Alaska is called the “Inside Passage” and is highly frequented by huge cruise ships. It is a wonderful route going through many little islands which rise steeply out of the ocean. The first stop was Ketchikan where we had some dinner. The ferry usually stops between 30min and three hours, depending on how many cars get on and off. After playing cards we went to bed in our sleeping bags outside on the ferry deck. It wasn’t the best sleep, but it also wasn’t the worst – but definitely one of the most memorable. It was funny to wake up and just lift up your head looking out to different sceneries every time. 

 

Ketchikan - our ferry the Matanuska

the solarium

good morning! :)

Wed May 13th, 2011

Another sunny peaceful ferry day expected us and several whales accompanied our journey. Although it was rather convenient traveling compared to the bus (with walking around, showers, …), I was still happy when we arrived in Juneau around 8pm. Juneau is the capital of Alaska. The weather was beautiful and on our way we had amazing views of the famous Mendenhall Glacier (only "drive-to-glacier) and all the surrounding mountains. A guy I met on the ferry gave me a ride into town (ferry terminal is 14 miles out of town – no buses), and I finally arrived in the hostel, which was really nice with a huge common area and great people.

                                                                                

Mendenhall Glacier - close to Juneau

puffing humpback whale

Thursday May 12th, 2011 

As predicted by the locals it was cloudy and rainy. However, I was highly motivated and full with energy to go for a hike. Troy, the guy working at the hostel, had recommended me a hike, the West Glacier Trail. I motivated Troy and Wes, two local guys, to come out with me. Although we were soon completely soaked it was a merry trip along the Mendenhall Glacier Lake, hiking up to Mt. McGuiness (which was not planned – missed a junction) and back again finally heading towards to the glacier. On our way we met a family searching for their 12 year old son. So we started helping to look for the kid and fortunately found him after a long half hour. Creepy though, losing your kid out there. The glacier was absolutely amazing – one of the most stunning views I ever had in my whole life - going into a glacier cave! It was several meters high and the "ceiling" consisted of compressed snow lightening in crystal clear blue and black! Overwhelming, unable to find words for that – but we didn’t speak anyways to avoid the risk of the cave crushing. So wet and so cold after the hike (5hours out in the rain), but so happy. Couldn’t have been any better (the blue color is a lot stronger when it’s overcast).  Relaxed evening with cooking, playing cards and baking… :)

rain gear :)

mountain goats

the cave - stunning!

Friday May 13^th, 2011

Since the two guys were tired from yesterday’s hike I went off alone trying to get up to Mt. Roberts, a local mountain in Juneau. It was a wonderful hike up to the tramway, which brings the cruise-ship tourists within minutes on top of Juneau. It was still pretty snowy and icy, but I brought crampons, so I was fine, although it was impossible to get all the way up to Mt. Roberts due to slushy, wet snow. However, I still had a wonderful view and enjoyed being within the mountain world away from the tourist crowds. In the afternoon I met the exhausted guys to have lunch (I love TexMex food :)), going to the Alaskan Brewery (really good beer & six free samples ;)), and enjoying the sunshine along the harbor. In the evening we cooked (shrimps & spaghetti), baked a cake with the help of the hostel’s owners girl, made fudge! and finally headed out for a drink (short one, because you had to be back at 11pm in this hostel!!! (and you had to leave at 9am in the morning as well: "it nearly always rains in Juneau, we have to make sure that travelers still go out and experience Juneau and not only sit around in the hostel" ;)) 

Juneau & Douglas Island

Alaska State Capitol

Saturday May 14th, 2011

Last hours in Juneau! Wonderful weather, so we walked along the harbor, through the maritime festival, just enjoying the flair of the awakening town. Crabcakes for lunch :), picking up a car and driving to Mendenhall Glacier (as the touriststourists do). Time to say goodbye and go on the fast ferry further north - Skagway!

Raben sind hier die Tauben!