Almost everyone has heard of the Mendenhall Glacier or seen pictures of its stunning blue and white ice. Mendenhall Lake fronts the glacier at its terminus, and the ice extends 150-220 feet under the water. Nugget Falls rushes into the lake just in front of the glacier The lake is covered in thick ice in the winter, may be used for ice skating in the areas away from the face of the glacier.
How This Alaskan Glacier Was Formed
This moving river of ice was formed in the Juneau Ice Field, which is over 3,000 years old. Snow fell on the mountains, layer upon layer. Snow continued to fall, creating pressure on the layers below, compacting them, and turning them into ice. The process continued, creating more and more pressure, until the sheer weight and volume of the glacier caused it to begin moving down the mountain.
As the glacier traveled downhill, it carved valleys and canyons into the landscape. The force of the moving ice took out trees, rocks and soil, and deposited them in new areas. In fact, the rate of deposition of glacial matter, called moraine, between Juneau and Douglas Island is estimated to be about ½ inch per year. If this continues, within a few decades, the island will be connected to the mainland.
Mendenhall Glacier is one of 38 glaciers flowing from the Juneau Ice Field. Even though the ice field is thousands of years old, scientists estimate that the ice in Mendenhall only takes about 200-250 years to move to its terminus or end.
Short Trails Around the Mendenhall Glacier
For casual hiking or walking, there are three trails near the visitor center. One trail leaves from the front of the visitor center and ends at a photo point. At this point, Nugget Falls is visible, as well as a beautiful view of the lake and recently calved icebergs.
The Steep Creek Trail is a ½ mile long trail between the shuttle bus stop and the Pavilion where shuttles and busses pick up passengers. It leads through the woods and crosses Steep Creek, where salmon come to spawn. It is closed from mid-July through September due to bear activity.
The Trail of Time is another ½ mile looping trail between the visitor center and the shuttle bus stop. This trail affords panoramic views of the Alaska glacier and the local wildlife.
Getting to Juneau and Mendenhall Glacier
Juneau is only accessible by boat or plane, as there are no roads connecting it with other cities. This is due to the steep and rugged surrounding terrain of the Tongass National Forest. There are regular flights into the airport, (JNU), and cruise ships frequently stop in Juneau.
For a more flexible stay, the Alaskan Marine Highway System (AMHS) provides ferries year-round. When using the AMHS, it’s not necessary to book a return trip in advance, so a choice can be made to stay in the area longer. The ferries even allow travelers to stay in tents on the deck or to sleep in the lounge chairs.
The glacier is a short drive outside of Juneau, Alaska, and can be reached by taxi, shuttle, bus, private vehicle, and even by bike. Alaskan cruises typically have connections with companies that provide glacier tours. It can be visited independently by using information from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. No visit to Juneau is complete without a trip to the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier.
For more things to do during a visit to Juneau, see Travel Guide to Juneau, Alaska.
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