Hire a guide who knows the trails and can get you to the ice caves and back safely. Pack high-protein snacks and a minimum of 2 liters of water per person. However, once this happens the ice caves will likely no longer exist so it’s not a natural wonder you can put off seeing. It is possible to get lost and back-country safety precautions should be followed. 2. One of the 38 glaciers that emerge from the 1500 square mile Juneau Icefield, the Mendenhall makes its 13-mile course toward sea level, terminating at the north end of the Mendenhall Valley. I’m in Juneau and have taken photos of one of the small caves accessible by kayak, now long gone, but I haven’t photographed the big stuff–and I just did photos with an old cell phone. I’d love permission to use one of your photos (especially the one above the 10 tips) and a link to your article in my Christmas newsletter. People that work around the glacier and monitor its changes are hopeful that once it recedes out of Mendenhall Lake it will slow down and stabilize. The Ice Caves under Mendenhall Glacier Review of Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center Reviewed September 23, 2012 The absolute most beautiful cave I have ever been in. If you are looking for a well-rounded experience for visiting the ice caves, we recommend a combination tour option that involves paddling across the lake in a canoe, hiking up the west side of the glacier, a visit to the Mendenhall Ice Caves followed by a hike up onto the glacier. It’s day 2 of the trip. ABOUT  /  PRESS  /  WORK WITH US  /  CONTACT. Mendenhall Glacier is located 12 miles or nineteen kilometers from Juneau, the capital city of Alaska. Starting with a canoe ride across the lake, you paddle your way straight to the face of the glacier before landing on the beach. I heard there is an ice cave at Mendenhall Glacier. Read our Disclosure here. TRY OUT AIRBNB Some areas on this part of the trail have a loose metal rope guide to assist in the incline. More information about the Mendenhall Glacier can be found at the Tongass National Forest Service site. The most famous Alaskan ice caves are located under Mendenhall, Root, Spencer, Matanuska, and Kennicott Glaciers. Bring a warm hat and gloves. This center offers visitors interpretive programs. They retain water and do not dry quickly. The ice caves are in part a function of this glacial melting. No purchase necessary. Hi Paulina, I would recommend checking with our recommended company in the article regarding winter tours to the ice caves. This melted water runs under and through the glacier regularly carving out new caves. We set out to look for the Mendenhall Glacier ice caves, which were apparently hard to locate. The path to the ice caves is very difficult and we do not suggest attempting it unless you are an experienced hiker or you have a knowledgeable guide with you. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. Located in Juneau, Alaska, Mendenhall Glacier (also known as Sitaantaagu) is a 13 mile long block of ice and snow. The Mendenhall Glacier can be seen from the visitor center on Glacier Spur Road. The Surreality of the Underbelly: The Mendenhall Cave, Inside a Glacier was originally written in January 2016. You should also check out our tips for finding cheap accommodation. Some posts might be sponsored to support this blog. Please Note: Mendenhall Glacier Ice Cave exploration is dependent on glacier conditions and access cannot be predicted. Mendenhall Ice Cave is one of the most attractive places in the Mendenhall Glacier. You should also check out our tips for finding cheap flights.CAR RENTALWe use Discover Cars to compare car prices, find deals and book rentals.FIND ACCOMMODATION Ask yourself, are you really fit enough for this? © 2020 Atlas Obscura. Bring a safety helmet and actually wear it. Required fields are marked *. Wow! Denali State Park Heli-Hiking Adventure in Remote Alaska, 11 Reasons to Take an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise with UnCruise, 19 Photos That Prove Juneau, Alaska is More Than Just A Cruise Stop, 15 Best Things to do in Grand Teton National Park, The Route 66 Ghost Town of Oatman, Arizona (How To Visit & Best Things to Do), Ultimate US National Parks Bucket List (All 62 Parks By State). Do not wear jeans or cotton clothing. In the summer you can expect dripping water, fast-moving streams, falling rocks, and unstable footing. Great weekend trip with Piriya, Nae, Pla and Ter! Disclosure: In accordance with FTC guidelines, we disclose that we may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. And it is one of … But there’s magic in the Mendenhall Ice Caves, where water runs over rocks and under frozen bright-blue ceilings inside a partially hollow glacier. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Bring a variety of layers that can be added and removed while you are going to and near the glacier. It is 1,800 ft. deep and a half-mile wide and even though it is the most visited glacier in Alaska, most people only see if from afar. Every year dozens of lost or injured hikers have to be retrieved from the area. This shrine to the patron saint of Alaska sits on a small tidal island and was built from the land’s own beach stones. Compare prices and book with our custom-built hotel search engine. The Upside-Down Forest of Glacier Gardens. Does anyone know about any guided tour to the caves in the winter? Ensure your boots are waterproof and warm; bring extra socks in case your feet get wet. Allow an entire day to visit the ice caves. Found in the Mendenhall Valley, the caves are spacious cavities in the blue ice. We’re in Juneau and have only 8 hours to do something epic. Trekking next to the glacier you come across the caves. Don’t be fooled, as the trail continues on, it gets increasingly more difficult with intense uphill areas that are often wet and slippery and covered with rocks and mud. The Mendenhall Glacier ice caves are among the world’s most stunning, with their eerie, swelling blue domes that resemble the underside of a rapid river, flash-frozen. This means you should always carry the right kind of gear and don’t leave for a glacier visit without it. Cheers! Images of the caves circulate the internet with such captions as “otherworldly” and “surreal,” but “shrinking” and “fleeting” could be used as well, as this glacier creates incredible ever-changing landscapes while we watch it melt away. The glacier itself is over 3,000 years old and easily one of Juneau’s most popular tourist stops. Mendenhall ice cave is one of the most amazing natural phenomenon’s that can be found in Alaska, United States. Thanks for the article, I am going to Alaska next month, the Mendenhall Ice Caves are on the list of things to do! The ever-changing conditions of a glacier environment make a visit here both thrilling and dangerous. While the glacier has been receding since 1500, the majority of the change has taken place since 1958 by a total of 2.5 miles. Time of year and daily weather are not contributing factors to ice cave formation and safe access. Von: Atlas Obscura. Because of the greenhouse effect, ice caves tend to melt, therefore they may be … Remember that any visit to the Mendenhall Ice Caves and Glacier is at your own risk. The Ice caves are so Awesome. Ice cave tours usually run from July to September. Your email address will not be published. But there’s magic in the Mendenhall Ice Caves, where water runs over rocks and under frozen bright-blue ceilings inside a partially hollow glacier. By Lina Stock on June 4, 2017 • Last updated September 8, 2020 • 14 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. See. Hi! Exploring Ice Caves and Hiking on Mendenhall Glacier. Naturally, we couldn’t visit Juneau and miss the chance to experience the ice caves for ourselves. Flickr One of the entrances to the Mendenhall Ice Caves. Dress in layers of high-functioning outdoor fabrics. Most of the way is unmarked and unmaintained. Granted, the total disappearance of the Mendenhall glacier would probably take centuries. On top of a sheet metal business in Juneau stand nearly a dozen charming Wizard of Oz statues. Mendenhall Ice Caves are the stunning blue ice caves within the Mendenhall Glacier, in the Mendenhall Valley, only 12 miles downtown Juneau in southeast Alaska. Read Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Naturally, we couldn’t visit Juneau and miss the chance to experience the ice caves for ourselves. They’re found in Southeastern Alaska’s rainy Tongass National Forest, but once you arrive you might think you’ve somehow traveled beyond Alaska and ended up in a fantasy land far, far away. It first formed in the Juneau Icefield, which is over 3,000 years old. As the glacier recession continues, the caves collapse and disappear. You can learn more about us here. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. The lake is used for ice skating during the winter as it is covered with thick ice. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a306c2c9d5067fa85c1ff0ec190c1185" );document.getElementById("a6eb771bc3").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. The Mendenhall Glacier has receded almost two miles since 1958, while previously it had receded only 0.5 miles since 1500. You have to continue on without a trail, scrambling and sliding your way down near the glacier. You will eventually reach a lookout over the glacier at this is where the West Glacier Trail officially ends. Winner will be selected at random on 01/01/2021. During a week long family trip in Alaska, Andrew and I break off from the group for a single day to do what we do best — adventure. Once you arrive at the Mendenhall Ice Caves, the magic will overwhelm your senses. Liquid Alaska Tours operates Mendenhall Glacier tours in Juneau, Alaska. Mendenhall Ice Caves, Juneau, Alaska, USA. Totally worth the Kayak trip in and the ice climbing over the Glacier. Located a short 12 miles outside Alaska’s capital city of Juneau, the Mendenhall Ice Caves are ever-changing due to melting ice and glacier recession but an absolute wonder to explore. If you aren’t familiar with me or the blog, I am a life-long Alaskan and I’ve been dying to visit the southeast of Alaska and well, it finally happened.