[2025 Juneau Attraction] Travel Guide for Mendenhall Glacier (Updated Mar)

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and a bigger city in the southern part of the state. We arrived at the cruise ship terminal and took a short walk to the downtown Transit Center bus station and hopped on a bus towards Mendenhall Glacier. The glaciers are always changing and shifting (now at a faster pace due to climate change). The park surrounding Mendenhall has a waterfall (Nugget Falls) and hiking trails as well. We took the same bus back downtown and walked around the city, grabbed some food to warm us up from the cold rain. #us #usatravel #alaska #glacier

Below is an introduction to Alaska's blue glaciers: Formation - Principles of Physical Optics: Over vast periods, glacial ice becomes highly compressed, reducing internal air bubbles and making it extremely dense. When light penetrates the ice, most wavelengths are absorbed, while shorter blue wavelengths are less readily absorbed and penetrate deeper, scattering and reflecting more, giving the glacier its blue hue. - Oxygen Enrichment: During glacier formation, accumulating snow compresses, gradually releasing gases like nitrogen. However, under immense pressure, oxygen bonds with ice crystals, forming structures similar to impurities in gemstones, also contributing to the blue color of glacial ice. Main Distribution Blue glaciers are scattered throughout Alaska's fjords and valleys. Glacier Bay National Park, Mendenhall Glacier, College Fjord, and Tracy Arm Fjord are all excellent locations for viewing blue glaciers. Famous Glaciers - Hubbard Glacier: North America's largest tidewater glacier, spanning 76 miles and reaching depths of 1,200 feet. Its highest point is equivalent to a 40-story building. It surges rapidly into the Gulf of Alaska, forming Yakutat Bay, an area rich in wildlife. - Spencer Glacier: Located deep in the Alaskan mountains. From Anchorage, travel to Whittier, then transfer to a train to reach the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. From there, a trail leads to Spencer Glacier. Viewing Methods - Cruise Tours: Cruises offer access deep into the fjords, providing close-up views of the magnificent blue glaciers, as well as witnessing dramatic events like calving and floating icebergs. - Helicopter Tours: Helicopter tours provide aerial perspectives of the blue glaciers, offering panoramic views of the entire glacier and its breathtaking intersection with mountains and ocean. - Hiking Expeditions: With professional guides, hike closer to the blue glaciers, experiencing their cold majesty firsthand. You can even touch the ice and observe its textures and structures.

#closetonature #100waysoftravel My experience on the Mendenhall Glacier tour was nothing short of breathtaking. From the moment we arrived, the beauty of Mother Nature enveloped us. The towering ice formations and the stunning shades of blue in the glacier were mesmerizing, a testament to nature’s artistry. The crisp mountain air filled my lungs, and the sounds of cascading waterfalls echoed around us. Each step brought new vistas of the icy blue of the glacier, reminding me of nature's incredible diversity. Witnessing the glacier calving into the serene waters below was a powerful reminder of nature’s force and fragility. It was a humbling experience, connecting me to the raw beauty of our planet. This tour is a must for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in nature’s wonders. The Mendenhall Glacier is a stunning embodiment of Mother Nature's beauty, and I left with memories that will last a lifetime. #alaska #glacier #onceinalifetime #beauty #nature

I was lucky enough to visit Alaska this year, and fly on top of the Mendenhall Glacier. We spent 2 hours on top of the glacier and did the trekking. The experience was awesome! After that, we had a nice lunch at the Creek Salmon Bake and did gold panning. It's really nice to see this part of the world.