Douglas Island Camping Pt1, Ice Caves, Douglas Island Pt. 2

Went camping on the adjacent island to Juneau, called Douglas Island. Pretty much drove out about as far as you can go to find this trail. Camped out by the beach. Then

Juneau - Chum Salmon carcass.

Juneau - Low tide out the road. Beach is littered with dead salmon after their mating run.

Camping spot in Douglas

Love the Balanced Rocks. That Island out there is Shaman Island, and is the Part 2 of this post.....

My first FISH! Ever. Big ol' Dolly Varden. Notice the hook in its mouth. I caught it with a part from a Subaru Justy. It was a hose clamp we fashioned into a snagging hook. Chased the fish up the river and snagged this guy in his dorsal fin. But it in his mouth to carry him back.

Jason's Suburu Justy. Minus one extra hose clamp.

Sat Morning on the early shift. Best part of working at 5am is the sun peaking over the mountains shining on the glacier. Juneau had the best weather on this day, everywhere else was rain storms and fog. A good beginning to the morning.

Was actually fueling this plane and saw the clouds. Stopped fueling, took picture, continued fueling. Haha

After a hour or so hike up to this peak of a hill, right side of the peak.

Left side of the peak.

Jason, Jp, and Zach with his border collie mix. Hiking the glacier!

Random couple from Texas. They were just hiking around, leaving until Jason convinced them to follow us to these caves. They were skeptical.

Blue Blue Blue

The colors would change the deeper we got.

It looks like the drop went through the ice? Not sure how the domes were formed.

River Cutting through, carving the caves.

A good shot showing the dimensions of the caves. They were domed, like an igloo. Could stand in some places, had to crawl in others.

Leaping across a cravine

Second cave Jason found. How old is that tree stump! Was buried under the glacier for thousands of years.

Remember that island in the background of the Balanced Rocks? Shaman Island. Well we camped on it.                                 Was late when were getting there. By the time we get out kayaks down the 5 minute trail. ( took 20min ) sun was setting and needed head lamps. Had to train them down from the car through to woods. Were 4 people carrying these and they were heavy with gear. Jason rides off first, and me second as we only have 2 paddles for the three boats. As all of you know. I hate water. I was in a one man kayak, unbalanced on the ocean paddling to an island with a 20 pound back trying to tip me over with every right paddle. I almost did tip as I took the pack off my back to my lap. I also had no life vest. I would have been done if I fell.  I made it over, I'm all jittery so Jason goes back to get the other two people, towing my kayak back and then him and his brother-in-law tow the third boat with the 4th over to the island.

Saw the stars for the first time in 3 months! And this would be the third time seeing the moon. Camped under the stars with no rainfly. However this is Juneau, and I had half set the fly so I could throw it on quick if I needed to. Needed it a 7am! Silly Juneau.

So.... low tide happened. Apparently you can walk to Shaman Island during low tide. I might not have drowned if I had flipped! ( P.S. I still would have )