July 17th Glacier bay to Swanson Harbor Public dock
Fairly long day to Swanson Harbor with NW wind coming down Icy Straight helping push us along.
Swanson Harbor has great AT&T cell phone reception and two nice floating docks not attached to the shore but very close. Route below was use to get in with docks on North East side when you get in at the loop at top of track. Water was deep at 35′ or so right up to the docks. You can also dock on the inside but might be a bit narrow at low tide.
Was raining so A nice stop over with dogs and would stop again in nicer weather to kayak etc. Did not put dinghy out. I took Terra and then Holly to shore in kayak. Had a little kayak around bay. Not a lot of walking on land but small exploration. Alex did not go ashore.
July 18 (North Juneau)th Swanson Harbor to Auke Bay
Saw some whales. Still raining a lot. Rounding Point Couverden we ran in too some pretty steep water and 25-30 knot winds with small breaks from the starboard stern quarter.
We got on breakwater at Auke Bay Harbor but barely but did, lots of fishing/tour boats came in to dock right after us! No power but that’s ok. Took a walk with dogs through University of Alaska to a lake which had a nice trail along its southern edge. Had dinner on board with plan to go to Juneau.
July 19th Auke Bay to Juneau
Easy cruise down Stephen’s passage. Couple whale spouts. Got to Aurora harbor
and had a slip. Took a walk around neighborhoods with dogs then chilled.
Arranged to have a car from the 20th through the 23rd.
July 20th -21st Juneau
Once at Juneau for second time we finally got across the bridge from Juneau to Douglas Island to hike the Treadwell Mine Historic Park. Down load the trail map with info on the numbered markers on the trail to identify the ruins before you go. Treadwell was a gold mine with shafts that collapsed after operating for a number of years from late 1800 to 1917 when the cave in creating Glory Hole occurred.
We drove down town to cruise dock area to meet Ashley the nice woman who had helped us so much with slip arrangements and got a pass.
Next day walked back above marina to the Perserverence Trail System to Ebner falls at the beginning of the trail. Beautiful trail up the valley with great view, streams etc…. When got down we went over the the Lance Chance Mine museum at the trail head start and checked it out. Old equipment in one of the remaining buildings, small place but cool old equipment.
Suspect you have seen Ingersall Rand air compressors for sale, well here is there great grand dad that was used to run the air tools in the mine.
That night had dinner at Twisted Fish: fish tacos for us both: it was ok but not spectacular.
We picked up Gary and Marcia July 21st on the 10:15 delta flight. Had our hellos then to bed as all tired, especially them after day of travel
July 22nd
Got up early and had breakfast at Sandpiper Café. Then drove to Mendenhal glacier. Viewed glacier, walked out to nugget falls and then did visitor center. Went to fish hatchery and bear viewing area but no bears as salmon not running as not enough water! They are in the lake but not able to get up stream. No salmon so no bears 🙁
Very nice time regardless. Dogs swam at nugget falls!
That afternoon major provisioning. Went to Costco and got most stuff needed (and some not) and then to Fred Meyer. Did some shops (liked rainforest wood shop) then decided to have dinner at Salt which had been recommended by locals. It was pricey but very good. After that walked back on boardwalk then off to bed.