Day 3
Monday June 4, 2018
When I woke up
and looked out the window, it was already light out, sort of. I was greeted with a light, but steady
rain. The weather guessers all said it
would last throughout the day. So much
for that long hike I had planned. I’ve
hiked in the rain before. But, given my druthers, I simply prefer not to. I especially prefer not to when the trail runs
ten miles.
Instead, I grabbed a cup of coffee from one of the myriad of drive up coffee shops here and drove out to the glacier overlook. Maybe I'd get lucky. Otherwise, it would be my one time checking messages and texts. Oddly, the only two places I got service were up in the hills and right here by the lake.
Instead, I grabbed a cup of coffee from one of the myriad of drive up coffee shops here and drove out to the glacier overlook. Maybe I'd get lucky. Otherwise, it would be my one time checking messages and texts. Oddly, the only two places I got service were up in the hills and right here by the lake.
Eventually, the
rain went from light and steady to a heavy mist. I was feeling antsy and just wanted to get
out of the motel for a while. So, I
drove north as far as the road went out of town, about twenty-five miles. Patches of blue sky in the distance gave me
hope.
I turned back at the end of the road. That’s where I saw my first bear. He was off the side of the road and started walking away before I could get the camera.
I turned back at the end of the road. That’s where I saw my first bear. He was off the side of the road and started walking away before I could get the camera.
About a mile from
the end of the road is Point Bridget State Park. The trail is relatively level and it’s three
and a half miles to the point, about half of it under forest canopy. Shortly past the two mile point is a day use
cabin. I decided to risk it and hike as far as the cabin. I could reassess my options from that
point.
The first mile is
mostly through thick mud and standing water.
The trail alternates between gravel and wide boards. After the previous day’s climb, an easy trail
was welcome.
A park ranger
had raved about the meadows along the trail.
There were some wildflowers out, but it was still a bit before peak.
It still wasn’t raining when I made it to
the cabin.
I thought about the .7 mile side trail to Spruce Lake and decided to risk it. I hadn’t gone that far when the trail turned to thick mud. It wasn’t that light squishy mud, but the thick stuff. Every step resulted in that wet sucking sound. Looking further up the trail, I didn’t see an end to it. As it turns out, I made the right decision and headed back towards the car.
I thought about the .7 mile side trail to Spruce Lake and decided to risk it. I hadn’t gone that far when the trail turned to thick mud. It wasn’t that light squishy mud, but the thick stuff. Every step resulted in that wet sucking sound. Looking further up the trail, I didn’t see an end to it. As it turns out, I made the right decision and headed back towards the car.
Less than a mile
back towards town I spotted my second bear.
It was crossing the road off in the distance. Another mile or so and the rain came back. It didn’t let up.
Across the river
from downtown Juneau is the community of Douglas. There’s a historic trail on the southern end
of the island I had visited the last time.
If the rain stopped, it would be a nice way to wrap the day.
I killed a little time in Douglas at the
Island Pub.
They’re famous for their pizza, but only sell 14 inch pies. It’s been a long time since I could put away that much pizza. Instead, I had their steak sandwich. Unlike a Philly, the meat was thick, not shaved. It also came with mushrooms and the “house cheese.” It was like provolone, but with some bite. Add a couple of Big Butte Porter Ales and I was good to go. Eileen, my waitress, took good care of me and didn’t hassle me for lingering. I was hoping the rain would let up, but it didn’t. The rest of the day was a bust.
They’re famous for their pizza, but only sell 14 inch pies. It’s been a long time since I could put away that much pizza. Instead, I had their steak sandwich. Unlike a Philly, the meat was thick, not shaved. It also came with mushrooms and the “house cheese.” It was like provolone, but with some bite. Add a couple of Big Butte Porter Ales and I was good to go. Eileen, my waitress, took good care of me and didn’t hassle me for lingering. I was hoping the rain would let up, but it didn’t. The rest of the day was a bust.
Coming Up,
I yell, “HEY, that’s my car!”
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