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Mendenhall Glacier is one the best things you can do in Juneau. The first time I saw the Mendenhall Glacier was earlier that morning, when we were walking to the Nugget Falls. But when you see it from the distance you can’t anticipate its size. I suspected this ice monster must look totally different when you see it up close, so we signed up for a helicopter tour to the Mendenhall Glacier.
Visiting this glacier is something that I will never forget. Something that needs to be experienced at least once in a lifetime and totally worth adding to any Alaska bucket list!
What to Expect in the Helicopter
As we were driving towards the little heliport for our helicopter tour I was trying to imagine walking on that huge stretch of ice. If just seeing it from a distance was so intimidating, how would it feel flying over the sleepy giant and then descending on it? It was not only my first time on a glacier, but my first time on a helicopter too and I was feeling a little uneasy.
After getting off the bus we were invited to a large waiting room where we had to sign a waiver. Hmmm! Why do we need to sign a waiver? Is this helicopter thing safe after all? “Hey! Do you want to grab a snack?” my husband asked as we were waiting to be fitted with some special glacier walking boots.
“A snack? How can you eat now?” A rock began forming in my stomach as a ton of worrisome thoughts were flooding my mind. What if … oh no, that cannot happen. These helicopters are pretty safe. Just look at all these happy people lining up for the rides. Nothing bad can happen, just don’t think about it.
As we boarded the helicopter we were quickly instructed as to the use of the headphones and the switch-type button that can be used to signal for verbal communication with the pilot. We were seated in the back together with another couple. She was a little scared too. He acted like he was not, but who knows.
As we climbed above the trees, we saw Juneau getting farther and farther away and only soft green stretching to the horizon. It was a sunny afternoon with perfect visibility for miles and miles in all directions.
The helicopter swayed a little, but the pilot maneuvered it precisely knowing just how far to swing out to give us a perfect view of the glacier. It was so beautiful! A few minutes into the flight all my fears have disappeared.
We were now approaching the landing point. From above we could see the sapphire-blue color of the glacier. Why is it blue? Snow is white, isn’t it?
It appears that although snow is white, after it gets pressed into glacier ice it turns into a beautiful sapphire blue color. Glaciers can even be red where certain algae have started growing…or may have a brownish/grayish color where debris or dust has accumulated.
What to Expect on the Mendenhall Glacier
We exited the helicopter and proceeded towards the meeting point which was marked by a flag. Two other helicopters landed together with ours. When the entire group was gathered at the flag, we began walking on the slippery surface led by a local guide.
As you get closer to the glacier you’ll begin to see it transform before your eyes. What looks like a crumpled up piece of blue and white paper from above turns into huge peaks of ice stretching toward the distant mountains. To my surprise, the edge of the ice proved even more intriguing than what I could see from above. I could see a big torrent of melted water that made a hole into the glacier’s side, carving out a huge void. It looked really treacherous.
The guide told us that during the warm summer months the surface of the Mendenhall Glacier is dotted with blue melt water pools that fluctuate a lot in size throughout the year.
Depending on the path taken by the water, a melt water pool can empty out on the side of the glacier, or into its depths. There are several ice caves that are quite challenging to access and are very dangerous.
Our glacier-top stroll lasted about 30 minutes, but it seemed more like 5. Once you are up there time really flies. Looking up close at this forceful colossus of ice you realize that its majestic beauty masks an incredible danger for those who venture out here without a guide. In spite of being so beautiful, the glacier is never safe.
Mendenhall Glacier has been retreating since around the turn of the 20th century. The glacier is certainly one of nature’s wonders that we are loosing to climate change. Locals say they have seen in their life time how astonishingly the glaciers have receded, so enjoy the beauty of this glacier while it’s still visible.
anda
I think I’d be too terrified to go up in a helicopter. Any other way to reach the top of Mendenhall? Probably not. I’ve only been on top of one other glacier, but it was covered in snow, so we couldn’t really see any difference from the rest of our surroundings. That blue meltwater and the edge of the glacier are incredible in your photos. Glad I got to see it through you.
I was scared about the helicopter ride also, Michele, but it proved to be less terrifying than I thought.
What a fun experience, to fly above the glacier and actually walk on it. Amazing captures!
Sounds like a bucket list experience, I would love to ride a helicopter. Seeing a glacier is wonderful in itself, but to fly over it? Awesome! Your photos are too gorgeous, as always. 🙂
Alaska was a pleasant surprise, Vlad. I resisted the temptation to visit it for 26 years, but I finally gave in.
Yes, I would love to do the helicopter trip to Mendenhall Glacier. Amazing photos and now I want to go.
I would love to have an opportunity to helicopter onto a glacier like you did, Anda. Judging from the beautiful shots you captured during your flight, I have to ask: If you had to choose, which was your favorite part, flying high above with those incredible views or being on the glacier itself?
It would be a very hard choice, Linda. I actually like both.
Such beautiful photos of Mendenhall glacier. How exciting for you to get up so close on the ice! 🙂
Yea, I have to say it was a great experience to walk on the mountain of ice, Lyndall.
Beautiful views and sounds like a wonderful place to see by helicopter! I really need to return to the U.S. and get up to Alaska one of these days.
Alaska is one of those experiences that you’ll never forget, Jessica. You may like it or not, but you’ll be marked by it.
What an adventure and gorgeous photos.
Anda, How lucky you are! I’ve only done the Mendenhall Glacier walk. It is a gorgeous area. I would love to take a helicopter ride over it. Love your photos.
It was very exciting riding that helicopter, Corinne. You should try it.
What a stunning experience – something I am sure you will never forget.
wow!seems so exciting…I really like these views and captures.
How amazing to see the glacier up close! I’ve been in a helicopter but never landed on ice – must take a skilled pilot
Walking on that glacier was so exciting. You are surrounded by ice and mountains. It’s wild nature at its best.
Stunning photos! I used to live in the Mendenhall Valley and could see a bit of the glacier from my second-floor kitchen window. Loved Juneau, and loved hiking out at the glacier. I did the helicopter tour and it was amazing; thanks so much for bringing back such happy memories!
Thank you, Vanessa. I’m so glad if I could bring back some good memories.. After visiting this great state I hold in very high esteem the people living in those harsh conditions. Although very beautiful, Alaska is a very tough place to live in.
Looks like a good trip. I hiked the bottom of it, and remember peering warily into a crevasse. It was an amazing and treacherous place.
Hiking the glacier is quite dangerous. You were very brave.
Loved this piece: lively narrative and fenomenal pictures. Just a word of caution for light plane and helicopter rides: take proper clothing, and a decongestant before the flight if you have problems equalizing the pressure in your ears!
Thanks, Laz. You left me such a nice comment. It makes me want to keep writing.
Great pictures! Sounds like an adventure dream!
How exciting, that you got to stand on top of Mendenhall. Beautiful. I love the blue of glacier ice.
Thank you, Rhonda. It was really exciting to stand on the glacier.