Itinerary
Day 1: Travel – to Juneau, Alaska
August 5th
Friday
Upon arriving in Juneau, students will be met at the baggage claim area by one of their instructors for transfer to The Lodge at the Shrine of Saint Therese (about a 15 minute ride).
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 2: Southeast Alaska Orientation
August 6th
Saturday
After breakfast at the Lodge, instructors and students will review some of the key lessons from the Peru portion of the trip and how those experiences may be similar or different to their experiences in Juneau. Instructions on journaling and digital storytelling will be reviewed as well as outlines for projects during the fall semester. Following the morning session, we’ll drive approximately 10 minutes to the Eagle Beach Recreation Facility for lunch with Pat Dryer and Jackie Ebert of Juneau Mountain Rescue (JMR). They will talk with us about general safety guidelines when visiting southeast Alaska, and will also cover any special precautions researchers should take while visiting field locations along the Juneau road system. Following lunch, we’ll take a driving tour of the 40 mile Juneau road system, noting the differences in landscapes between glaciated and non-glaciated watersheds.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 3: Glaciology Lecture and Class on Juneau Icefield
August 7th
Sunday
After breakfast at the Lodge we will drive 30 minutes to the ERA offices at the North Douglas Heliport where we will meet Eran Hood of UAS. We will then take a helicopter to Mendenhall Glacier for a 5-hour lesson on glacial hydrology and the landscape changes resulting from glacier thinning. ERA helicopters will return us to the North Douglas Heliport at approximately 3pm. We will then drive back to the Lodge for journaling and dinner.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 4: Tour of Hydro-Electric Facility and Salmon Hatchery
August 8th
Monday
After breakfast at the Lodge we will drive 30 minutes to the Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) salmon hatchery in Juneau, Alaska. We will be met there by Rich Mattson, who will give us a tour of the facility where we will be able to observe multiple phases of the salmon’s life cycle and learn the science behind modern hatchery operations including the harvesting of roe from Chum salmon. We will then drive to Sandy Beach for a packed lunch. After lunch we will meet Alec Mesdag of Alaska Electric Light and Power Company (AEL&P) at the Perseverance Trail parking lot for a lecture on Juneau’s power grid and the city’s reliance on hydroelectric power from high elevation lakes. He will lead us on a tour of the Gold Creek Power Plant where we’ll be able to observe both historical and current hydroelectric operations and equipment. After our tour we will return to the Lodge for journaling and dinner at Lodge or Eagle Beach.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 5: Lectures and Presentations with USFS and UAS
August 9th
Tuesday
After breakfast at the Lodge, we will drive 15 minute to the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) campus, where we’ll be met by Professor of Environmental Science Eran Hood. Eran will give us a presentation on the current state of environmental and glacier research at UAS with a focus on pro-glacial streams and aquatic chemistry. After meeting with Eran we will break for a packed lunch on the UAS campus. Following lunch we will walk 10 minutes to the United States Forest Service (USFS) Juneau Forestry Sciences Laboratory and meet with Dave D’Amore and his staff. They will provide a presentation on the state of the current research at the Juneau office, with a special focus on Wetland soils, nutrient cycling, and wetland hydrology. Following their presentation, the class will explain the work already completed in Peru and the proposed fieldwork in Juneau with the intent of receiving feedback and suggestions from the USFS researchers. After our meeting we will return to the Lodge for journaling and dinner.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 6: Field – Montana Creek
August 10th
Wednesday
Following breakfast at the Lodge, we’ll depart for our first day in the field at Montana Creek. We’ll drive approximately 15 minutes to the Montana Creek trailhead, where we’ll begin our sampling of this non-glacial system. The Montana Creek watershed represents a non-glacial system, where the stream is primarily supported by snowmelt from the major tributary (McGuiness Creek) and the frequent precipitation in southeast Alaska. Montana Creek will be approximately 6-8 inches deep and full of pink and chum salmon. The stream and wetlands are directly adjacent to the gravel trail and there will be little elevation gain. We’ll eat lunch along the trail and return to the Lodge for sample processing, journaling and dinner.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 7: Field – Lemon Creek
August 11th
Thursday
Following breakfast at the Lodge, we’ll depart for our second day in the field at Lemon Creek. We’ll drive approximately 20 minutes to the Lemon Creek trailhead, where we’ll begin our sampling of this glaciated system. The Lemon Creek watershed represents a partially glaciated system, where the stream is supported by a combination of snowmelt from Heintzleman and Blackerby Ridges and three hanging glaciers at the headwaters (Lemon, Thompson, and Ptarmigan). Although only 1-2 ft. deep, Lemon Creek will be receiving heavy runoff at this time and will not be wadeable because of the high water velocity. The stream and wetlands are near the marked trail that alternates between gravel, dirt, and boardwalk. The trail alternates between steep and flat section, with a total of approximately 2000 ft. of elevation gain. We’ll eat lunch along the trail and return to the Lodge for sample processing, journaling and dinner.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 8: Field – Herbert River
August 12th
Friday
Following breakfast at the Lodge, we’ll depart for our final day in the field at the Herbert River. We’ll drive approximately 10 minutes to the Herbert River trailhead, where we’ll begin our sampling of this glaciated system. The Herbert River watershed represents a heavily glaciated system, where the stream is primarily supported by meltwater from the Herbert Glacier. The Herbert River will be receiving heavy runoff at this time and will not be wadeable because of the high water velocity and water depth. The stream and wetlands are near the marked dirt trail with little elevation gain. We’ll eat lunch along the trail and return to the Lodge for sample processing, journaling and dinner.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 9: Pack and Ship Samples and Field Equipment, Course Wrap-up
August 13
Saturday
Following breakfast at the Lodge, we’ll clean and pack field equipment and pack samples for shipment back to Penn State. Following a course wrap-up, students will have the option of joining an instructor-led hike of Gastineau Peak and the Mt. Roberts visitor center in downtown Juneau or remaining in the downtown area to shop. All students will meet at the Southeast Alaska Heritage Center in downtown Juneau for transportation back to the Lodge for dinner.
Overnight – The Lodge – Shrine of Saint Therese
Day 10: Travel – Juneau Alaska to Home
August 14
Sunday
Students will eat breakfast at the Lodge and be transported to the airport for flights home.