Mendenhall glacier and Mt Robert tram...

[CRUISING71]

We will be in Juneau from 8am to 10pm, is it possible to hike Mendenhall Nuggets Fall and come back to town to take the tram up and spend a few hours hiking at Mt. Robert?

 

Which would u recommended to do first? Mendenhall Glacier or Mt Robert?

[Crew News]

We will be in Juneau from 8am to 10pm, is it possible to hike Mendenhall Nuggets Fall and come back to town to take the tram up and spend a few hours hiking at Mt. Robert?

 

Which would u recommended to do first? Mendenhall Glacier or Mt Robert?

 

Definitely Mendenhall first since it involves travel. Mt Roberts is right next to the downtown docks in Juneau and you can spend the rest of your time in Juneau there. Seeing a sunset from Mt Roberts is on my to-do list.

 

One of the highlights of Mt Roberts is Lady Baltimore, a captive bald eagle, up close and personal. The view of harbor from such an altitude is incredible.

[CRUISING71]

Thanks.

[KruzeKrazy!]

Been to Juneau multiple times and agree totally.

[slider728]

I think you'll have more than enough time to do both. The drive to the Mendenhall glacier from the tram area is probably around 20 minutes. The hike to the Nugget Falls from the trail head by the visitors center is about 15 minutes each way. Realistically, you should be able to hit most of the highlights of the glacier area in 2 hours.

 

The tram is right by the docks, so it is easy access.

 

The tram is a very weather dependent excursion. If it is cloudy out and you can't see the viewing platform on the tram, don't waste your money.

 

So to answer your question, which would I do first?

 

If the weather is clear when you dock, head up the tram. Weather in Juneau is constantly changing If it is sunny when you head to the glacier, there is no guarantee that it will be sunny by the time you get back. If it is a clear and sunny when you arrive in port, head up the tram.

 

The glacier is much less weather dependent (assuming you don't mind the rain). If it isn't worth making the trip up the tram, then head the glacier.

[CRUISING71]

Alaska's weather is truly unpredictable. Thanks for the advise.

[Budget Queen]

Unless you are a sprinter, you need an hour for the walk to Nugget Falls, which is a simple trail. You have plenty of time, if you want to consider more hiking, which there are excellent trails to consider. Trail maps online. If you really want a work out, do the East Loop Nugget Creek combo. :)

[mytime53]

We ate breakfast leisurely after the ship was in port, took the tram up (we hadn't even decided what to do that day, so obviously we didn't get up there first thing), spent time in the gift shop, DH taking pics of the eagle, walked up above the cross, stopped on the way up and down to "see what we could see"...we had our binoculars with us. Came down, took the shuttle bus, leisurely hiked to Nugget falls, took lots of pictures--we did rush back from Nugget falls, but that was because we didn't notice what time it was and didn't want to wait for the next bus. We got back to the ship about 4, went back on to grab a really late lunch, then got off and walked to the Red Dog Saloon, shopped on the way back, and took the tram up the mountain again. And still got back on in plenty of time.

[4cats,1dog]

The Blue & white buses stop running at 6:00pm. The sunsets later at night.

Does the Tram stop running at a certain time?

[sherryf]

The Blue & white buses stop running at 6:00pm. The sunsets later at night.

Does the Tram stop running at a certain time?

 

Quick Google search says 8 AM to 9 PM.

[sjmbruce]

Our time in port was similar to yours. We hiked at Mendenhall to the falls and took the tram up to hike a little, all after a four hour whale watch.