Mendenhall Glacier Cave, Juneau, AK, June 2013

This was my third hike to the glacier cave at Mendenhall Glacier that has been the “go to” cave for the past few years. I went in July 2011 and October 2011 – for moving at glacial speeds, it’s amazing how much has changed in between visits!

Much more of the face has calved off and melted over these two short years and the entrance to the cave itself has receded at least 100 feet. It actually looks a bit more stable now, as the previous ice outcropping that was at the entrance before was relatively thin looking. Inside the cave is just as amazing – the bluest of blues and the sound of water rushing under the glacier. If you go, be safe and bring rain gear!

Enjoy the photos.

Glacier Cave Entrance

Glacier Cave Entrance

Peering In

Peering In

Looking Out

Looking Out

On the Glacier

On the Glacier

Hiking Out

Hiking Out

Glacier Dog

Glacier Dog

Lower Glacier

Lower Glacier "Cave"

West Glacier Unnamed Creek

West Glacier Unnamed Creek

Glacier Cave EntrancePeering InLooking OutOn the GlacierHiking OutGlacier DogLower Glacier "Cave"West Glacier Unnamed Creek

Mendenhall Glacier Cave, Juneau, AK, October 2011

A crisp, clear October morning turned into another hike out West Glacier Trail to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier, then on and under the glacier for a repeat visit to a glacier cave I was last at this past July. The interior of the cave has opened up and is much wider and taller at points, while the arch at the entrance looks significantly less substantial than it did – I have a feeling that this winter’s snow will be too much weight and it may collapse at some point. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

In any case, the cave was just as exhilarating as it was three months ago: the colors, the sound of the water echoing off the walls, the temperature, everything. I definitely noticed that upon exiting the cave, my heart rate was up and I had a bit of an adrenaline rush going! All in all, this was an awesome way to spend a sunny October Sunday.

Hard to stay inside on a Juneau day like this.

Hard to stay inside on a Juneau day like this.

Closing in on the Mendenhall Glacier.

Closing in on the Mendenhall Glacier.

Iceberg viking ships!

Iceberg viking ships!

Standing where the glacier one was.

Standing where the glacier one was.

Looks like fun!

Looks like fun!

Sunny valley behind Mt. Bullard.

Sunny valley behind Mt. Bullard.

Nondescript ice cave entrance.

Nondescript ice cave entrance.

Looking into the depths.

Looking into the depths.

The ceiling can be very aurora-like.

The ceiling can be very aurora-like.

Some idea of perspective here. The ceiling was anywhere from 20 feet high at the entrance to less than 4 feet as it got deeper. About 9 or 10 feet here.

Some idea of perspective here. The ceiling was anywhere from 20 feet high at the entrance to less than 4 feet as it got deeper. About 9 or 10 feet here.

Frozen water and rushing water. Oh the juxtaposition.

Frozen water and rushing water. Oh the juxtaposition.

Ice cave waterfalls.

Ice cave waterfalls.

Ice cave abstraction.

Ice cave abstraction.

And more abstraction...

And more abstraction...

Got the blues.

Got the blues.

Going towards the light.

Going towards the light.

End of the tunnel.

End of the tunnel.

Let there be light!

Let there be light!

On the glacier looking back towards the valley. Not a usual view.

On the glacier looking back towards the valley. Not a usual view.

Hard to stay inside on a Juneau day like this.Closing in on the Mendenhall Glacier.Iceberg viking ships!Standing where the glacier one was.Looks like fun!Sunny valley behind Mt. Bullard.Nondescript ice cave entrance.Looking into the depths.The ceiling can be very aurora-like.Some idea of perspective here. The ceiling was anywhere from 20 feet high at the entrance to less than 4 feet as it got deeper. About 9 or 10 feet here.Frozen water and rushing water. Oh the juxtaposition.Ice cave waterfalls.Ice cave abstraction.And more abstraction...Got the blues.Going towards the light.End of the tunnel.Let there be light!On the glacier looking back towards the valley. Not a usual view.