The morning of Day 4 found us sailing through the calm waters of the Inside Passage—a welcome change after a choppy day at sea. Our destination was Juneau, but before docking, Mark presented his second seminar on the CCC at Sitka, continuing his enhancement seminar series.
Arrival in Juneau
The Anthem of the Seas arrived in Juneau at noon, and we were soon ashore, ready for adventure. We rented a car through Turo, and our host Zachary W. had it waiting for us in the parking garage right next to the pier.
Exploring Mendenhall Glacier
Our first stop was Mendenhall Glacier, a familiar site from two previous visits. However, this time we had the freedom of our own vehicle, allowing us to explore trails we had missed before.
We began with a peaceful walk along the Trail of Time, moving through the temperate rainforest in the Tongass National Forest. Then we took a short stroll along the Steep Creek Trail, where we had an unforgettable wildlife encounter:
🐻 A black bear sow was fishing in the creek, and soon we spotted her three cubs below. We watched as she begrudgingly shared her catch, while the cubs whined in protest over what they must have thought were meager rations—an incredible moment in nature.
Next, we hiked the Nugget Falls Trail, which we had done on previous visits. But this time, the view was strikingly different.
The retreat of the glacier was evident. In 2016, we could see the entire toe of the glacier from the falls. Now, it’s hidden behind stone at the lake’s edge—a sobering reminder of climate change.
A Peaceful Visit to the Shrine
Our second stop was the National Shrine of Saint Therese, located even farther from central Juneau. The drive was scenic, and the shrine—a stone church nestled in the woods overlooking Favorite Channel—was the perfect place for contemplation and stunning views.
After returning the rental car, we boarded the Anthem of the Seas once again. Tonight, we sail toward our next port: Skagway, home to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
Back to the Ship
