The Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier is located just up the Mendenhall valley from Juneau, the capital city of Alaska. When you first arrive in the parking lot of the visitor's center, you are greeted by a spectacular view of this 12 mile long glacier. Mendenhall Lake laps at its feet, receiving the calved icebergs that occasionally break off the face.

The most famous of the 38 glaciers that flow from the Juneau Ice field, Mendenhall is accessible year round. If you cruise to Juneau, you can visit the glacier by taking an onshore tour. Or you can take one of the Glacier Express buses from downtown Juneau. The buses run every half hour. Private tours are available. You may be able to take a boat around Mendenhall Lake, or fly overhead in a helicopter. If you are interested in exploring the Juneau Ice field, you can also enjoy a dogsled ride there if you choose. Another way to enjoy this beautiful glacier is to hike one of the many trails that are located just off the Visitor's Center. Some are very short, while others are more than six miles long. Most of the trails will have at least a small increase in elevation over the course of the trail.

Mendenhall Glacier was at its longest length in the mid-1700s. Since then, the glacier has slowly been in retreat, falling back about 2-1/2 miles since then. While it is shrinking, it still gains lots of new snow each year. The climate here is unique… the warm, moist air comes up the valley and hits the cooler air of the Ice field, turning the moisture in the air into snow. If the warming of the climate stabilizes, it may be possible for the glacier to reverse its trend and begin advancing again.
 
Mendenhall Glacier has enjoyed a rather long and varied history. The Tlingit people called the glacier Sitaantaagu (the glacier behind the town) or Aak'wtaaksit (the glacier behind the little lake). In 1879, John Muir, a naturalist, named it Auke Glacier in honor of the Tlingit Auk Kwaan (Aak'w Kwaan) band. In 1892, it was renamed again to honor Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, the superintendent of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1889-1894.

Mendenhall Glacier towers 100 feet above the surface of Mendenhall Lake, which reaches a depth of over 200 feet. The glacier is surrounded by the beautiful forested hills of the Tongass National Forest. Wildlife is abundant and the climate is fairly mild. If you are planning to spend any time near the glacier, be careful to dress appropriately. While the high temperatures in summer are around the mid to high 60's, it can be very cold if you get wet. If you hike near the glacier, the air will feel considerably colder as well. If you visit during the winter, there are plenty of snow activities you can enjoy. Just be careful of thin ice.

If you are so inclined, during the warmer season you can camp in a nearby campground, or if you prefer, you can stay in nearby Juneau. You are sure to enjoy your visit to the Mendenhall Glacier.