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Glacier Trekking in Juneau, AlaskaExperience a Landscape of Ice and Invigoration
Juneau offers the wilderness at its doorstep and glaciers are no exception. There are several glaciers easily accessible from Alaska's capital.
Southeast Alaska stretches approximately 500 miles from Icy Bay, northwest of Yakutat, south to Dixon Entrance at the U.S. – Canada border. Glaciers have sculpted the area contributing to deep waterways and mountains that rise steeply beside the water which weaves through over a thousand named islands and islets. Sitka Spruce, hemlock and Yellow Cedar comprise much of this temperate rainforest which receives several hundred inches of rain in some areas. At higher elevations this means lots of snow, where glaciation still occurs. Nestled between the scenic Gastineau Channel and the Juneau Ice Field, Juneau is not connected by the main road system. The only access is by boat or plane. Juneau has an international airport (JNU) and a marine highway ferry system. Once in town the Mendenhall Glacier may be a good choice for a first-time glacier trek. Choosing a Glacier Guide or Trekking SoloIf one has glacier travel and crevasse rescue training and their own equipment and is looking to explore a new glacier in solitude then looking for a guide may not be of concern. However, most people even if they have walked on a glacier before, will need the guidance of an experienced professional. If you do travel solo, then sharing your trip plans with someone else is always a smart idea. Trekking across glacial terrain is risky business. Shoes need to have a stiff shank and should be crampon compatible. While walking on a glacier one risks falling into a crevasse, stream or hole, being sunburnt from the reflective ice or snow, cutting themselves on the sharp ice or their crampons, and a number of other things inherent to backcountry settings such as dehyration and hypothermia. There are several guiding outfits in Juneau that will give individual private tours or group tours for more reasonable prices. The benefits of glacier trekking with a guide are numerous. Equipment such as, harnesses, helmets, mountaineering axes, boots and crampons will be provided. Guides also bring their knowledge of the local area to the trek, keeping distances, terrain and safety in check. NorthStar Trekking and Above and Beyond are just two of the local guiding outfits which offer daily guided glacier treks on the Mendenhall Glacier during the summer. What You NeedA list of possible glacier trekking gear could include but is not limited to:
On a guided trek, most of this will be provided but it’s never too soon to start acquiring the necessary gear for future trips. Mendenhall and Herbert GlaciersThe Mendenhall Glacier is the most accessible glacier in Juneau. It is in the Tongass National Forest and information about current conditions can be found at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center which can be reached at (907) 789-0097. If trekking in a private group without a guide, drive 9 miles north on Egan Drive/Glacier Highway to the south junction with the Mendenhall Loop Rd. Turn onto the Loop road until it reaches Montana Creek Road. Turn right on this road, following it all the way to the West Glacier Trailhead. From the ferry terminal, turn onto the north side of the Loop road at Glacier Highway mile 12 and drive about 2.5 miles to Montana Creek Road, turn left and continue to the trailhead. Follow the trail for one mile to a viewing bench where a spur trail leads up and over rocky outcroppings to the edge of the glacier where it is easiest to climb on. During a guided trek, transportation will be arranged. Either way, expect amazing views of blue crevassed ice in the midst of rocky cliffs and green lush alpine slopes above. Surrounding mountains are from 4,000 to 7,000 feet, some of which will remain capped in snow year-round. Mountain goats are frequently seen on the cliffs next to this glacier. The Herbert Glacier can also be accessed by driving to mile 27.5 of the Glacier Highway north of town. The Herbert Glacier trail follows the Herbert River for four miles to the glacier outwash plain where access to the ice is harder to navigate than the Mendenhall but depending on the ice and skill level of the trekker can be a nice alternative as it is a less traveled upon glacier.
The copyright of the article Glacier Trekking in Juneau, Alaska in Wilderness Backpacking is owned by Naomi Judd. Permission to republish Glacier Trekking in Juneau, Alaska in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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