The Journal
Stories, field notes and guidance for seeing Alaska more clearly.
ALASKA EXPLAINED
Why Is There No Road to Juneau?
It’s one of the first questions most visitors ask. The answer begins with mountains, oceans and a frontier that shaped the way Southeast Alaska Connects.
Explore by Destination
Explore Alaska by destination through thoughtful guides, local insight, and stories shaped by time spent here. Start with the place calling you north.
Juneau | Ketchikan | Skagway | Denali | General Alaska
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Latest Stories
How to Experience Alaska’s Glaciers: From Mendenhall to Glacier Bay and Beyond
Alaska’s glaciers are not a single kind of experience. Some are reached by road, others appear slowly at the end of a fjord, and some only make sense when seen from the air. This guide explores the glaciers of Southeast Alaska and farther north through the different landscapes and journeys that reveal them.
Field Note: Early September at Mendenhall Glacier
Just after Labor Day, Juneau begins to feel different. A quiet morning at Mendenhall Glacier, with fewer visitors, no salmon and no bears, revealed the subtle weight of Alaska’s changing season.
Six Days Including Glacier Bay: What It's Really Like to Explore Alaska's Wildest National Park by Private Boat
On a six day journey, we traveled deep into Glacier Bay by private boat: sleeping in remote coves, watching glaciers rise beyond the water, and learning how much the experience depends on weather, timing, and life onboard. This is what exploring Glacier Bay actually felt like, beyond the postcard version.
Tracy Arm vs. Endicott Arm: What Alaska Cruise Travelers Should Know in 2026
If your Alaska cruise itinerary changed from Tracy Arm to Endicott Arm, here’s what to know about the difference, Dawes Glacier, Sawyer Glacier, and whether the experience is still worth it.