In Juneau, the Moment I Stared into the Eyes of a Glacier ❄️

“Sailing by cruise into the folds of the Earth—here, even time freezes into ice.” At six in the morning, as the cruise ship docked, Juneau was still asleep in the mist. Pushing open the cabin door, the wind of Alaska rushed in, carrying the scent of glaciers—a sharp blend of minerals, moss, and ancient ice. Juneau, the capital of Alaska—unreachable by road, untouched by the noise of the world. Only the sound of cruise ship horns can awaken this hidden city wrapped in rainforests and glaciers. 🚶♂️ Juneau is a must-stop for almost every cruise ship. And as the capital of Alaska, it’s incredibly walkable! ❄️ Mendenhall Glacier Hiking Notes 🏔️ After disembarking, take a taxi or shuttle bus to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center—the best starting point to understand the glacier. The center offers insights into its history and geology, with a viewing platform for panoramic glacier views. Trails around suit visitors of all levels. The adventure begins here. 🌟 The legendary receding glacier (Mendenhall Glacier) is one of the most accessible glaciers in the U.S., suitable for all ages. Due to global warming, it retreats about 27 meters each year—equivalent to three buses! “If you come back in a few years, it will look completely different!” Here’s what you can experience: 🔺 Mendenhall Lake: A turquoise lake formed by glacial melt, dotted with floating ice chunks, often visited by ducks and seagulls. 🔺 Nugget Falls: This waterfall comes from independent snowmelt, not directly from the glacier. Like two parallel silver rivers, the glacier and falls maintain a perfect aesthetic distance, creating a beautiful illusion of meeting in photographs. 🔺 Glacier Blue: The icegleams like gems cut by divine hands—each layer of ice tells a story from a different century. In Juneau, beyond the blue of the glacier, you can also explore: 🚠 Mt. Roberts Tramway Take the tram up to 1,164 meters. Though priced at $55 per person (a bit steep), the view from the top overlooking Juneau and the Gastineau Channel is absolutely breathtaking! 🌲 Decoding Juneau’s Totems In Alaska Native culture, the Tlingit tribe’s totems in Juneau aren’t just symbols—they’re a visual language narrating epic histories. All around town, you’ll find unique totems. When a nation’s language fades and writing fades, totems remain as silent storytellers of a civilization. 🌆 Juneau’s Dusk The evening glow of Alaska lights up the mountainsides, As cruise ships return like whales to the harbor—the glacier blue eternal in the twilight. 📍 Next up: 《Skagway Gold Rush Town: A Complete Guide to 19th-Century Railroad Photography》 #Alaska #Glaciers #JuneauGoldRush #AlaskaCruise #Alaska #KingCrab #JuneauCapital 🏔️🦀🚢