Trip to Juneau, Alaska (Part 5)
Well, Taylor and I had a good day Friday! We didn't do much adventuring, but we did go back to the trail that I got bit by the plant. This trail is called Point Bishop-Dupont Trail. The full trail is just under 10 miles, but Taylor and I only went about 2 miles in because it started raining, so we turned back!
As my luck would have it, the sun came out and it warmed up about 1 1/2 hours before we had to pick my brother, Bert, up at the airport. But, I am not going to complain, we had done a lot of hiking in the last 4 days and we both were a little tired and needed the rest.
We had a relaxing evening and got ready for the next day! We stopped by a book store and picked up a couple of books on the trails that are around Juneau. (Now, I can give ya the stats on the trails we have hiked.) Anyway, we looked through the book at some trails that Taylor and I had seen in our travels around the area and picked Herbert Glacier Trail.
The trail head is about 27 miles north of town. There is nice parking there and the trail is well maintained for about 4 miles.
About 2 1/2 miles in, it started to rain. We debated if we should turn back on not. But heck, we were half way in and who knows, maybe it would do what it did the day before and quit soon! So we kept going.
Yes, I know I looked like a drowned rat! But we had to keep going! This was the only day that Bert would have off while I am here to do anything with us. So we wanted to get this big hike done THIS day.
Anyway, about 4 miles in the trail ends at the river. This time of year there should be more water there from what we are told. This summer is a bit colder than past summers so one of the locals tells us. Usually that is no snow capped mountains around there at this time of the year. So, since the water was done and walking on the sand would be easier on my poor blistered feet, we trekked through the riverbed.
It was at this point that I wanted to head back, but yet I was sooooo close to being able to touch the glacier, that I just couldn't allow myself to have come this far and not make it all the way. the only thing was that we were all soaked to the bone, cold, and I knew I had some wicked blisters on my feet. Oh yea, and we had to climb some rocks.
The climb was steep and unstable enough that we didn't get many pictures of that. Not to mention that it was raining pretty good by this point. When we got to one point, Bert gave a great scare when he slipped on the wet rock and had to grab on to a small tree to keep from sliding right off and into the raging river.
We went a bit farther and out onto an outcrop of rocks. As I cleared the brush into the open, I told Bert that was enough for me. The blisters on my feet were hurting, my arthritis on my hips and lower back were was giving me a fit, and Taylor was starting to complain about being cold. We all wanted to go on, I really didn't want to stop. BUT, he voice of reason hit me and knowing that we had to hike the 5 miles back out to the SUV, thought it might be good to get headed back. But we had to take some victory pictures before we left!
as you can see, I am soaked
We also got some great pictures of the Herbert Glacier. Some of the following pictures are zoomed in, we hope you like being able to see the detail of the glacier in these pictures. We did freeze out tails off to get them!
OK, in the next two pictures, I have circled where were standing when we took the other. Ain't this cool!!
We hiked our way out, but not before leaving our mark on the area like so many other have before.
Once back at the trail head, we were very glad to see it. My feet hurt and I could barley walk.
But are happy as we all were that we made it 5 miles out and 5 miles back in the rain and cold.....
One thing to remember if you ever come to Juneau, Alaska....... ALWAYS carry rain gear!
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symonds
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Very beautiful pictures. All credit goes to photographer.
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symonds
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