Don't Miss Nugget Falls

When visiting the Mendenhall Glacier don’t skip the 30-45 minute detour to Nugget Falls.

The falls are less than two miles round-trip from the main Mendenhall overlook trail.  Nugget Falls water source is Nugget Glacier.The trail leads you to a sandbar that ends less than 20 feet from where a 377-foot tall gushing waterfall crashes into Mendenhall Lake. 

For me, the most impressive thing was how close you are to the base of the falls - no more than 20 feet. Feeling the cool glacial water spray across your face (and in my case head as well), is invigorating.  And of course the pictures you get to take of the waterfall and it’s spray across the lake and in front of the glacier and her icebergs makes it a photographer’s paradise.

It was a real shame hearing people on the path say, “oh we don’t have time for that”, and “I am sure it isn't worth it”, and another family debating to go to the visitor center or the falls.

It is an easy hike with little elevation gain. See photo to the right. My friend's 82-year old uncle did it. Mind you, the man is an amazing human being. The point is, just do it. You will be glad you did.