Glaciers & Ice Caves
All glaciers and ice caves can be dangerous.
Please do your own research, use caution and enter at your own risk!
One of the most memorable things you can do while visiting Alaska is see a glacier or ice cave up close and personal.
You may choose to book a ferry/cruise for viewing from a vessel, or you can also hike/kayak to many of these locations.
There are benefits to doing these treks during both winter and summer months, however the element of danger will always remain.
Summer hikes make for warmer temperatures, a trail you can see, green foliage and melted bodies of water that allow for floating icebergs or possibly calving of the glacier. This, however, creates the danger of getting too close as ice can break away and create a much bigger ripple than you would expect.
The nice thing about doing winter treks is more than likely everything is frozen completely solid in place, and you can comfortably walk around and even get close enough to touch the ice!
Bodies of water are frozen over therefore any glaciers that sit at the base of a lake can be easily accessed just by walking across. Calving risks are much lower, however avalanches along the neighboring mountainside are common, especially as temperatures begin to increase.
Here you will find information and pictures from the following locations:
Need a rental car? Click here
PORTAGE GLACIER
Portage Glacier is 50 miles south of Anchorage and 10 miles south of the Alyeska Highway/Girdwood junction.
The parking lot is accessible by road via the Seward Highway and Portage Glacier Road.
During summer the only way to access the actual glacier is by hiking the Portage Pass trail located in Whittier, kayaking across Portage Lake, or booking a ferry tour.
During winter, however, you can walk, ski, skate or fat bike directly to the glacier via Portage Lake which will be frozen solid. Parking can be found at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center.
It is approximately 2-3 miles each way and can also be very windy. Do research and plan accordingly!
BYRON GLACIER
Located right next to Portage Lake, this is a great hike if you are looking for a relatively easy and short trek (approximately 3 miles round trip).
It offers amazing views and a chance to walk around along the surface of the ice.
This is something that you can do any time of year but be aware of avalanche risk during the warmer months.
It is also advised to bring snowshoes during winter as the snow can be quite soft & deep.
During the right conditions, it is also possible to find ice caves. Enter at your own risk!
MATANUSKA GLACIER
Located approximately 2 hours north of Anchorage, this is a private tour that must be booked in advance.
You will be supplied appropriate gear and taken down to the glacier with a guide as they educate you and allow you to get as close as (safely) possible.
This tour lasts about 2-3 hours and is a great option if you are visiting Anchorage and do not feel comfortable doing other hikes on your own.
It is also available 365 days of the year.
EXIT GLACIER
Located about 3 hours south of Anchorage in Kenai Fjords National Park, this is a moderate hike only available during summer months.
No pets are permitted on the trail.
This is one of the best hikes you can do to learn about the history of glaciers and the constant struggle our planet faces regarding climate change.
Markers are placed along the road and trail, indicating a year and where the glacier was at during that point in time.
The hike does end at a viewpoint; however you may choose to explore beyond the trails at your own risk.
This will allow you to get closer to the ice, although it will require a good amount of rock climbing.
In addition to this hike, you may opt to take one of the Kenai Fjords glacier/wildlife cruises offered from Seward. This will provide the opportunity to see much more aquatic wildlife as well as dramatic views of the surrounding landscape.
CASTNER GLACIER (ICE CAVE)
This is a hike outside of Big Delta, AK. It is relatively easy and short with an epic experience awaiting you at the end!
This is one hike I have done during spring, fall and winter and would suggest a winter visit if possible.
During summer, the warmer temperatures result in the ice melting. Water drips from inside the cave and rocks or other larger boulders will periodically fall from the entrance.
During winter, everything is frozen in place and there are also some unique snow crystals that form on the underside of the cave.
Photos below are arranged from fall, to winter, to spring.
The opening at the front is extremely risky and dangerous. Enter at your own risk!
VALDEZ GLACIER
If you are planning a trip to Valdez, this is a must-see as you can park right on the shore.
The glacier sits at the back of the lake and although it can be accessed via watercraft during summer, the glacier can also be accessed during winter by simply walking across the frozen lake.
This creates a special type of experience, as you are surrounded by a playground of icebergs frozen in place and ice walls large enough to resemble what it would feel like to walk around Antarctica.
In the summer, you may want to look renting a kayak in order to really get closer and paddle your way around this majestic sight.
Again, play it safe and do not get too close. The majority of the ice is beneath the surface and if it decides to roll, you don't want to be caught in it!
MENDENHALL GLACIER & ICE CAVE
Mendenhall Glacier is located in Juneau, AK.
There are many tours ranging from sight-seeing to flight-seeing and even dog-sledding!
The face of this glacier can be accessed by going to the visitor center and following the trails.
In the summer, there are icebergs in the water as children play and swim.
This glacier also has ice caves, however, must be accessed by course of a hike which takes you to the back of the glacier. A guide would be suggested so they can assist with navigating the path as well as some tricky crossing maneuvers.
It is very scenic, offering views of the lake, glacier and surrounding mountains. Photos found below were taken in 2014, and the ice cave could collapse or change locations at any time.
Please research before assuming the caves are still accessible.
MARJERIE GLACIER (GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK)
Although many glaciers can be found inside the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Marjerie Glacier is certainly the highlight.
A plane or boat tour/cruise is the only way to get up close to this glacier as it sits deep in the park with no road access.
This is a great way to see the ice calve from the comfort of a vessel as well as scope out different wildlife as you sail through the fjords.
Different weather and lighting will allow the ice to look different at all times.
