Mendenhall Glacier Park - Juneau, AK

The weather was an unusually sunny day for our trip to the Mendenhall Glacier just outside of Juneau, Alaska.

Bob, Tim and I decided to take a taxi to the Glacier and questioned the economic wisdom of that upon arrival. It was a $33 taxi ride, but then they charged us another $17/person for a pass into the park. Later, we found out that the Federal Government charges $7/person to enter and the taxi service charged us an additional $10/person. We did find out that the city bus would have taken us to within a mile and half of the entrance for $4. We didn’t know if on day 2 we wanted to hike 3 miles round trip to the bus and another 2 miles from the visitor center to nugget falls and back. So if you are in good condition, this can save you quite a bit of money by taking the city bus.

The Mendenhall Glacier is a must see when in Juneau. The visitor center provides a background on how the Mendenhall Glacier was 2.5 miles further towards Auke Bay 200 years ago. Today, snow melt of the glacier is a shocking 3 to 4 feet per day. Check out this side-by-side photo comparison by clicking here. At this rate, they will need to soon create a shuttle from the visitor center to the glacier. Nugget Falls use to spill out of the bottom of the glacier. The glacier no longer covers the falls.

On our hike to the Glacier, we passed through the Mendenhall Rainforest where lichen, pines, aspen have grown and taken over where the snow once slowly moved toward the ocean.

We had hoped to hike through an ice cave. The ranger let us know they have not had an ice cave in a long time. The ice caves form at the edge of the glacier before it breaks off and into the water. And because the glacier is melting so fast, it isn’t safe like it previously had been. Sad.

Again, the Mendenhall Glacier is a must see when in Juneau.