Nugget Falls Is A Breathtaking Waterfall To Visit All Year Long
By Megan McDonald|Published December 06, 2020
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
Alaska has both stunning waterfalls and amazing trails all over the state. This waterfall hike in Alaska is located just outside of Juneau, and is an easy trail that leads to great payoffs. The next time you want to see Alaska’s spectacular natural beauty, no matter the time of year, you need to head to Nugget Falls, one of the best hiking trails in the U.S.
Juneau has a wonderful little hike that takes you to a famous waterfall, Nugget Falls.
It’s located in the Tongass National Forest, and feeds Mendenhall Lake. When you reach the end of the hike, you will have so many amazing things to see!
This waterfall falls two stories down to the beach and lake below.
The trail is open all year long, and you’ll find many people snowshoe or cross country ski this trail when there’s good snow cover. If the weather is warmer, it will be nicely maintained and mostly paved.
The trail ends at the beach under the waterfall, and offers spectacular views. Wildlife is busy in this area, so make sure you practice Alaska wildlife safety while you’re hiking, and be aware.
The trail is flat, and only encounters 121 feet of elevation gain throughout its entirety.
If you head out to the lake on a snowy day, avoid walking out on the ice until you confirm that the lake is safely frozen over. No matter what time of year, make sure to dress in layers so you can stay warm in case the weather changes.
There’s plenty of parking at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center when you arrive.
This hike is very accessible to all abilities during the drier parts of the year. If there is heavy snowfall covering the path, you may want to have more stamina and physical prowess to slog through the snow and drifts.
This is a stunning hike that you should visit whenever you can.
