SHC episode 9

We were solo this week and decided to try a longer adventure and headed out to the West Glacier Trail.
The trail started out easy with a nice wide trail through the woods with glimpses of Mendenhall Lake.
Some nice, sturdy bridges across mountain streams.
This was the first indication that the trail was a little more intense. This appeared after a steep switch-back.
Things became serious quickly.
At a break in the trees, looking at Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River. In the far distance is Gastineau Channel and downtown Juneau.
Another break, further up opened to Nugget Falls and the face of Mendenhall Glacier.
We kept climbing, up a couple more staircases cut into the granite and then we were confronted by this washout. While there was a "bridge", we followed my better judgement and turned back.
A view of the top of Mendenhall Glacier. At the top left of the picture you can see the glacier continue up towards the main ice field.
We stopped to talk to some ladies who were on their way up and they told us that the trail ends at the glacier. I had hoped that was the case and that we'd actually get there. Now that we know, we plan to try again.  If only the rain would let up so we can get across the washout.

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