Ever since my first trip to Alaska in the year 2000, I have found glaciers to be the most awe-inspiring and impressive natural features of our planet. There is something pristine and beautiful about the blue glacial ice that draws me in and takes my breath away. This feeling became even stronger when I first caught sight of Salmon Glacier in Hyder, Alaska in 2005. Thus, it was a very special moment when on my fifth trip to Alaska in 2010, I had the chance to personally explore the blue ice of Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Two years earlier, I had spent a day in Juneau hiking the West Glacier Trail, which provided stunning overlooks of Mendenhall Glacier from vantage points high above it. This time, after retaking that hike, I decided to hike the two spur trails which lead directly down to the glacier itself. These trails are not well known to non-residents of Juneau, but I had learned about them by doing extensive research. I hiked the trails as a loop, using the 2nd spur trail to reach the glacier and the 1st spur trail to return to the West Glacier Trail. However, I observed that the trails would be difficult to follow for somebody without a lot of hiking experience. They are not exactly maintained trails, and most of the time you need to follow ribbons tied to trees or rock cairns which have been stacked up. Despite this, I made my way down to Mendenhall Glacier and enjoyed some outstanding views as I drew closer to the ice itself.
And what a moment it was when I walked up and touched the side of the glacier for the first time. As I followed the glacier down towards its terminus, I came across the legendary ice caves. Walking through these blue glacial tunnels and caves was probably the single most incredible experience I have ever had. But upon further reflection it was also probably one of the more dangerous things I have ever done. This is because at some unknown time between now and the next year or so, the ice cave is going to either melt away or collapse and drop literally tons of frozen ice onto the ground below. This will probably happen during the warmer Spring or Summer months. An unfortunate person who would happen to be walking through the ice cave at the time of a collapse would be instantly crushed to death. So that is why I do not ever recommend entering glacial ice caves. However, I thought it was interesting that a University of Alaska Southeast assistant professor of physics stated that: "It is a very dynamic situation and in terms of safety, I don't like to joke about it, but it's probably safer to go in the ice caves then for a pedestrian to cross a street in the city, but that's because there is a lot more cars and a lot more people in the city, whereas there is not that many people going in ice caves." As you will see in some of my photos, the ice is melting (you can see the drops of water) and the collapse of the caves is inevitable. But as you will also see, this is an alien and foreign world that you have never seen before. As sunlight enters the glacier, the ice filters out all other colors and only allows blue to shine through, creating the spectacular world of blue and white ice patterns and designs. Although I will probably never walk through a glacial ice cave again during warmer months, my visit there will truly be something that I will always cherish. On future trips to Juneau, I hope to hike the Herbert Glacier trail and the Eagle Glacier trail.
And what a moment it was when I walked up and touched the side of the glacier for the first time. As I followed the glacier down towards its terminus, I came across the legendary ice caves. Walking through these blue glacial tunnels and caves was probably the single most incredible experience I have ever had. But upon further reflection it was also probably one of the more dangerous things I have ever done. This is because at some unknown time between now and the next year or so, the ice cave is going to either melt away or collapse and drop literally tons of frozen ice onto the ground below. This will probably happen during the warmer Spring or Summer months. An unfortunate person who would happen to be walking through the ice cave at the time of a collapse would be instantly crushed to death. So that is why I do not ever recommend entering glacial ice caves. However, I thought it was interesting that a University of Alaska Southeast assistant professor of physics stated that: "It is a very dynamic situation and in terms of safety, I don't like to joke about it, but it's probably safer to go in the ice caves then for a pedestrian to cross a street in the city, but that's because there is a lot more cars and a lot more people in the city, whereas there is not that many people going in ice caves." As you will see in some of my photos, the ice is melting (you can see the drops of water) and the collapse of the caves is inevitable. But as you will also see, this is an alien and foreign world that you have never seen before. As sunlight enters the glacier, the ice filters out all other colors and only allows blue to shine through, creating the spectacular world of blue and white ice patterns and designs. Although I will probably never walk through a glacial ice cave again during warmer months, my visit there will truly be something that I will always cherish. On future trips to Juneau, I hope to hike the Herbert Glacier trail and the Eagle Glacier trail.
Turning off onto the 2nd spur trail which leads from West Glacier Trail to the ice caves:
The 2nd spur trail was quite challenging. At this section, rope was in place to help with a difficult climb:
There was climbing, steep drops, thick brush and trees, and a trail which was difficult to follow at times. Once in a while a ribbon would appear tied to a tree to help show the way:
Pushing through the rainforest on the spur trail:
For a while I felt like I was lost, as the trail virtually disappeared:
After a while I finally emerged from the rainforest into a wide open rocky area. This hugely stacked cairn was a friendly sight:
Panoramic overview of Mendenhall Glacier from this viewpoint (click to enlarge):
Zooming in on the blue ice of Mendenhall far below:
Looking out at the terminus of Mendenhall Glacier as of August 2010:
Picture of Steve during his third lifetime visit to Juneau and Mendenhall Glacier:
Steep and slippery moraine leading down to Mendenhall Glacier:
Two pictures of the towering ice ridges on the glacier:
Steve finally touching Mendenhall Glacier for the first time ever:
Posing by the edge of the glacier which stands like an impenetrable barrier:
First close-up look at the blue ice which is so mesmerizing to behold:
In the next two pictures you can see how the ice on the surface of the glacier tends to collect dirt and rocks:
Majestic and enticing entrance to the first secret ice cave:
A blend of colors from white, to azure, to light blue, to navy blue:
Check out the ceiling of this cave. Notice how a column of white ice weaves along the top:
In this picture, you can clearly see the water dripping from the ceiling as the ice cave and glacier melts:
Look at the pillar of ice on the right side supporting the ceiling of this cave:
Gorgeous designs in the blue ice, almost like large bubbles:
Check out the brilliant colors of the glacial walls in the next four pictures:
This particular ice cave narrowed down towards the end, being swallowed up by the glacier:
Seeing the blue ice was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced before:
Notice the variety of colors on this ceiling, especially the azure blue:
Imagine being completely enclosed in this ice cave with just these majestic formations and colors:
This wall was really enchanting to look at and admire:
Leaving the first set of ice caves and moving on to the next outside the glacier:
This ice cave next caught my attention. Look at the huge bubble like ice formations towards the top of the picture:
This truly was an entire new world. In fact, each cave had a unique and distinct beauty:
Bright sunlight shining in from the cave entrance:
More combinations of azure and navy blue to behold in the next two pictures:
Wow. This section of cave wall close to the entrance was especially pretty:
Looking up at the glacial ceiling above me in the ice cave:
Twin entrances leading into this ice cave allows for bright sunlight:
Here the sunlight enters and divides two ice caves:
No two walls or ceilings were the exact same anywhere in the ice caves:
Picture of Steve by the pretty designs close to an ice cave entrance:
This huge chunk of glacial ice will perhaps break off soon and collapse this ice cave:
The next three pictures show you yet another beautiful ice cave with uniquely sculptured walls:
Here you can see the pathway as it winds through the ice cave and passes by a low spot in the ceiling:
Three more pictures of the designs in this breathtaking cave:
Exiting the second set of ice caves and looking up at the glacier again:
Entering the third set of ice caves and immediately coming face to face with sensational ice patterns:
The blue light from above is the only thing which helped me see inside here:
You can see the pathway at the bottom of this picture. Imagine passing by this sight:
The next two pictures show the base of the walls which I passed by in this section. There really aren't words to capture the beauty and essence of what it was like to see this:
Heading into the final section of the third set of ice caves:
This final ice cave was almost perfectly formed like a tunnel:
The white colors and patterns on this wall were amazing:
Looking out the entrance of the ice cave with an ice overhang above me:
The ice bubbles in the walls came in all kinds of shapes and sizes:
In this picture you can see the stream of glacial water flowing down the middle of the ice cave:
More white and blue bubble-like ice formations in the next two pictures:
Take a close look at the roof (or ceiling) in the next two pictures. Now imagine walking under this:
Reaching the final exit of the ice caves I would be exploring today. Nearly an hour inside these caves was enough time to create a lifetime of memories:
One of my favorite pictures, looking back down the tunnel-like cave:
Looking out at a cloudy sky and an environment of glacial ice:
Final three pictures inside of the ice caves before moving on:
Back outside of Mendenhall Glacier, there was a dramatic view of Bullard Mountain:
I was now getting close to the terminus (or front) of the glacier. Notice I have reached the edge of the lake water in the next two pictures:
Huge corner of ice attached to Mendenhall Glacier:
Once again looking down at the water in the next two pictures. This was the edge of Mendenhall Lake:
This wall of ice has lost most of its support and probably will collapse soon:
Panoramic of Mendenhall Glacier with Nugget Creek Falls at the far right corner (click to enlarge):
Panoramic of the terminus of Mendenhall Glacier, Bullard Mountain, and Mendenhall Lake (click to enlarge):
Here I am standing in front of Mendenhall Glacier, where the glacial ice calves off and drops into the lake:
Two pictures of Steve in front of Mendenhall Glacier. It is extremely difficult to get to this spot and that's why you don't see any other people in my pictures. Mendenhall Glacier is a major tourist destination, but the tourists are far away from here, safely viewing the glacier from a great distance:
Heading up the rocky slopes south of the glacier, in search of the 1st spur trail which leads back to West Glacier Trail. That's Nugget Creek Falls off in the distance:
Saying goodbye to Mendenhall Glacier. At least I've had the chance to be here in Juneau 3 times in the past 5 years:
Small pond as I began following rock cairns, hoping I was heading in the right direction:
Clouds forming over Mendenhall Lake:
Heading down a small side canyon, after noticing a few ribbons tied to trees:
Sure enough, this was the correct route, as the trail became more clear after a while:
Looking out at Mendenhall Lake from the water's edge:
A survey marker near the end of the 1st spur trail and end of the hike, as I rejoined the West Glacier Trail at the first lookout bench:
