Visitors to the area are astounded by the mountain vistas . Part of Chugach State Park, Eklutna Lake Campground has . Many people from all around the world come to Alaska to see this natural phenom enon. Connect With Us . Elevation Difference. The best part is that most of the falls here don't require overnight trips or long hikes. Spencer Glacier near Anchorage; Kachemak Bay outside of Homer; The Inside Passage, with day trips departing from Sitka and Ketchikan; . Print/PDF Map. To get a view this glacier you hike up the Butte. However, it's not the best maintained trail, so going with a guide could save you from getting lost (bonus: they'll have all the tools you'll need to hike safely on the glacier and know where the best ice caves are). Hiking & Ice Climbing. Select an Itinerary. Related Topics . Skip to main content. Castner Glacier Caves. Crystal Ice Cave. With easily accessible, shallow vertical ice cliffs perfectly suited for introductory ice climbing. One quarter of Alaska's glaciers more than 4.5 million acres can be found within Alaska's . Our Helicopter Ice Climbing and Caves day half-day tour includes an epic flightseeing trip to the glacier. 5 miles wide, 150 feet high, and the most famous part of the massive Juneau Icefield that even John Muir once raved about. When you reach Castner Creek on the Richardson Highway, you will want to park on the south side of the bridge. Eklutna. Less easy to stroll through than Matanuska, it's a perfect candidate for ice cave kayaking! Anchorage, AK 99501 [email protected] Phone: 907-278-3572 Fax: 907-278-3572. Going Into These 9 Caves In Alaska Is Like Entering Another World. It is the . To begin on this adventure, you first have to find the trailhead. Call Us (907) 331-4912 . Glaciers are located throughout the Inside Passage, Southcentral Alaska's coastal waters, and the high mountains of Interior Alaska. There's a reason people get so excited when they talk about the surreal blue interior of Alaska's ice caves. The enchanting Root Glacier is located in America's largest national park, the 13.2 million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias. July 14, 2022. Located roughly 60 miles from Anchorage, Spencer Glacier rises 3,500 feet from Spencer Lake. Source: Jacob Player / shutterstock. Ice Caves in Alaska. Downtown Anchorage in Alaska Dall's Sheep, Polychrome Pass, Denali National Park, Alaska. It's better to order a tour with an experienced guide (usually offered from July till September). Get To Juneau. Get vehicle access to the glacier or hire a pro for a tour! Places Near Anchorage, AK with Ice House. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. While visiting Root Glacier, you'll have . It's about a 2.5 - 3 hour drive each way (145 miles), depending on road conditions. The most famous alaskan ice caves are located under mendenhall, root, spencer, matanuska, and kennicott glaciers. Share. McCarthy, AK 99588. Mendenhall glacier is a very popular tourist destination, conveniently located just 12 miles from downtown juneau, alaska, so if you happen to be in juneau or are planning a trip there, a visit at. After you arrive, your expert guide will lead a safety talk and instruction and get you started. The flat, fast trail to Byron Glacier (3.2 miles round trip) leads to close views of cavernous ice caves; for a picturesque perspective of Portage Glacier, board the mv Ptarmigan for an hour-long, iceberg-lined tour across Portage Lake. Mendenhall Ice Caves - The Mendenhall Glacier is the jewel of Alaska's frozen landscapes. This trip is available departing from Anchorage or Girdwood on the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic Train. By far one of the most challenging and rewarding Mendenhall Glacier tours Juneau has available! With nearly 100,000 glaciers, 5 percent of Alaska is covered by ice year-round. Seward and Portage Lake tend to run 10-15 degrees cooler than Anchorage to begin with. 66500 S. Glacier Park Rd. 4. 2 Hours North of Anchorage, Alaska; Year-round Guided Glacier Tours 2 Scenic Hours North of Anchorage, Alaska. On both of our glacier hikes, temperatures dropped 5-10 degrees from the start of the trail to the end. BEST ALASKA ICE CAVE TOURS - Enjoy a glacier hike with Matanuska Glacier Adventures of Alaska! In addition, winds blowing off the ice can make things feel even colder. Careful not to fall into one of these death traps. Thunderbird Falls, Anchorage. Blue light passing through walls of ice; Views out through cave entrance; Touching different textures of ice walls and ceiling; Feeling separate from the whole world; . I don't mind the trip down until anchorage but is there any way/tours available specifically dedicated to ice tours? 2-4:30 PM - Depending on your group's desires, your guide's discretion & advice, as well as the weather of the day . Mendenhall Glacier Float. Mendenhall Glacier Trek. 2825 Rose St Ste 203. United States ; Alaska (AK) Anchorage ; Anchorage Travel Forum; . Appears in 1 List. They are cool to explore but deadly natural . Ice caves to explore. This is strictly an introduction and is . At El Capitan, the state's most widely visited cave, 13,000 feet of passageways have been mapped out by explorers, making . 1. Unlimited hiking areas. Favorites. The glacier's peaks and headwalls are inside the Chugach National Forest just south of the Turnagain Arm. The new "back" trail up Flattop (my preferred route) is hike 44 in Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska and hike 15 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage. You'll sleep well while dreaming of glaciers and ice caves after you cross this adventure off your bucket list! Matanuska Glacier Cave. It's an ethereal experience that will leave you with . Visiting Byron Glacier, Alaska Updated April 2022, Visiting Byron Glacier, Alaska was originally written in February 2020 Byron Glacier is one of the easiest to access glaciers in the Anchorage vicinity, about an hour and 10 minutes drive south of Anchorage, not far beyond the beautiful town of Girdwood. I'm researching ice caves myself and still deciding if we should go to Fairbanks or Anchorage. The Butte is a short popular 45-minute hike just outside of Anchorage. Anchorage Tourism Anchorage Hotels Anchorage Bed and Breakfast Anchorage Vacation Rentals The ice caves are usually found beneath or beside the glaciers. The Byron Glacier Ice caves killed a woman in July of 2018 the roof of these blue ice caves partially collapsed on camera in Spring 2019. Over night hotel in anchorage near train station Oct 07, 2022; See . I googled ice cave tours as well and there are some for sure. Susitna (Sleeping Lady), and several other mountain ranges, including the Talkeetna Mountains. Directions: Head north from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. Situated in Chugach National Forest about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Anchorage, Portage Glacier ranks as one of Alaska's most visited attractions. The focus of the 3. Alaska. Anchorage. Get to know this 6.1-mile out-and-back trail near Juneau, Alaska. If you are not experienced in glacier travel, hire someone who is. Ice caves, meltwater pools & more! All gear for our Glacier Tours is provided. Explore this 3.2-mile out-and-back trail near Girdwood, Alaska. This glacier near juneau, alaska hold's one of the world's most beautiful sites, the mendenhall ice the network of cerulean ice caves is what makes mendenhall glacier so unique and special. Mendenhall Ice Caves. Go to alaska r/alaska Posted by Taco_2s_day. Answer 1 of 7: Hello. Answer 1 of 5: Hello, Based on my reading so far I have learnt that ice caves come and go. Our helicopter glacier hiking tour features an amazing round trip flight and fully guided exploration of glacial ice caves, crevasses, blue pools, and more! (Update 2021 - Only tours are offered on the glacier summer of 2021). These are the jewels of Alaska. I mean "cool" both literally and figuratively because a lot of these caves look too chilly for words. There are an abundance of caves in Alaska but the ones found on Prince of Wales Island and the surrounding areas hold not only scientific value but bones and human remains as well! . It is a gorgeous yet conducive setting to give ice climbing a try. Skip to primary navigation; Skip to main content; COVID-19 Response Read our Kindness Policy. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Glacier tours are offered twice daily, in the morning and afternoons. 8. 2. In Alaska Travelgram by scottMarch 26, 2022. Seek and Explore glacier ice caves on KBA's 5-Day Glacier Ice Cave Explorer expedition in Lake Clark National Park. The Matanuska Glacier is a massive 26-mile long advancing valley glacier located in Chugach Mountains just 100 miles north of Anchorage. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 2 min to complete. Ice Caves Near Anchorage. I don't mind the trip down until anchorage but is there any way/tours available specifically dedicated to ice tours? 5. Ice Cave Technology - CLOSED. Where to kayak in ice caves in Alaska. Anchorage. Although it's a very easy "hike" by summer, the gorgeous Trail of Blue Ice in Portage crosses some avalanche runout paths in the winter/spring. Glacier Hiking & Climbing. Icebergs from the glacier bob in the waters of Portage Lake, while at the visitor center, travelers can see live ice worms, explore a simulated ice cave, and touch an iceberg. You'll arrive in one of three ways. I tried searching but don't want to be disappointed. Here are the 15 magical waterfalls that should be on your must-do list in Alaska. There is plenty of room for vehicles in several pullouts and the actual trailhead is on the east side of the highway marked by a highly visible path. Ice. Visiting first week of Dec and want to go through the caves; is it possible? These are some of the best caves that you will come across in Alaska. Elevation gain: 100 ft. Insane views. Alaska Tourism Alaska Hotels Alaska Bed and Breakfast Alaska Vacation Rentals Alaska Vacation Packages Flights to Alaska . (Equipments??? 1. List. It is not guaranteed. Rated as one of our most strenuous tours, be ready for a full 8-hour day of hiking and glacier trekking. Lawyers Cave. Beautiful ice formations inside the Spencer Glacier ice cave near Anchorage, Alaska. The glacier is located on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management). Trails there and beyond seem infinite, but Alaskans know the territory like the back of their hand. Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip to glacier. The good news is you can still enjoy Chugach National Forest and the Byron Glacier blue ice trail without risking it all. Colander Cave. Distance: 102 miles north of Anchorage. . The best times to visit this trail are June through August. Naturally, we couldn't visit Juneau and miss the chance to experience the ice caves for ourselves. Staying for 4-5 days and looking to hit up a different glacier to explore each day. Ice Caves Near Anchorage.It's also a great option if you want to explore ice caves. A torrent of meltwater gushes around big chunks of ice at the mouth of the Castner Glacier ice cave and dumps into Castner Creek. 66500 S Glacier Park Rd Sutton, AK 99674 USA Phone: (907) 745-2534 Text . Firstly, you'll need to get to Juneau. Jennie is a born-and-raised fourth-generation Seattleite and former Fairbanksan. Otter Den Cave. About an hour northeast of Anchorage is Eklutna Glacier, which provides most of the drinking water for Alaska's largest city. Shop the best flight deals on Expedia and Skyscanner. These caves are magnificent, and you will be blown away by their sheer structure, size, and beauty. A viewpoint for the glacier is accessible from the Byron Glacier Trailhead, by a short 0.8 . At mile 102, you can drive down to Glacier Park and pay a day fee (888-253-4480), then hike 15-20 minutes to the face of glacier. Drive Time: 3 hours. Because of the greenhouse effect, ice caves . After a safety briefing, we hot-load for . Season: May 01 to Sep 30 $165 3.5 hrs. 5 Map Website. Ice floating in a glacier lake, Alaska . . Not sure where to start? Plan to fly into the Anchorage International Airport (ANC), and then take a 25 minute flight from . Alaska has several huge fields that are larger than some states. Anchorage Tourism . That said, accessing them is no easy feat. Personal Responsibility. The Castner Glacier Trail begins at Castner Creek near Paxson, Alaska. Let us show you the Alaskan ice! I am travelling to Alaska in July 2019. . Potential to camp higher up on a ridge. There's no shortage of Anchorage hiking trails, with 155 peaks within Chugach State Park alone. The old entrance where Castner Creek used to emerge from the cave has dried up and the creek is now flowing out of a new opening that formed in the back of the cave where the ice forming the exterior wall of the cave melted away. Thunderbird Falls, Anchorage. Matanuska Glacier. Five glacial views. 5 hour Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip is great views of the namesake glacier, which is 1. Hotels near Campbell Park; Hotels near Russian Jack; Hotels near Russian Jack Park; Hotels near Tudor Area; A man is framed by the entrance to a large ice cave near the terminus of Augustana Glacier in the Alaska Range in winter Tall archway entrance to deep blue ice cave in the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska. She writes about outdoor adventure and travel in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada. This makes it not so much of a hike, but it's definitely one of the easiest ways to stand on top of a glacier in Alaska. or the Girdwood Train Depot if coming from Anchorage by the Alaska Railroad. Nautilus Cave. Enigma Cave. Exploring an ice cave at Castner Glacier, 143 miles from Fairbanks. Alaska has the highest number of glaciers in the US, so the odds of finding an ice cave here are bright. 11:30 - 2:00 PM - Glacier Trek onto the ice at Spencer Glacier looking for ice features, pools, caves, etc. We all know Alaska is well known for its many glaciers and mountains, and the perk about those two things is that there ends up being a lot of COOL places that exist underground. I tried searching but don't want to be disappointed. Once you're at the top you get stunning views of Knik Glacier, the Kink River valley, Mt. . Covid-19; Contact us; Reserve now; Faq's; . Each winter this underground cave forms a dazzling ice palace. Website (907) 771-0543. . Anyone has visited any ice caves in Mendenhall recently. You'll start out exploring Anchorage, Alaska's largest city.Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, the city offers an abundance of shopping and a great variety of . By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Jennie Flaming of Ordinary Adventures. Toll Free: (888) 933-5427 Local: (907) 554-4445 Cell: (907) 231-6395 [email protected] Can you tour the ice caves at Mendenhall Glacier in December? This flat, easy trail near . We'll set up our base camp near the spot that our bush plane drops us off at. To get there, head southeast from Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway, past North Pole, Eielson Air Force Base and Salcha. Alaska's largest road-accessible glacier. For over 30 years, NOVA has been the original guide service operator of the Matanuska glacier. These companies and guides can help you pick the best trails, show you the best routes and share . Alaska's Prince of Wales Island features more than 850 grottos and caves. Anchorage, AK 99508. Rugged glacier hiking adventure in the Alaska Range. The Byron Glacier Blue Ice Trail is a gorgeous Alaskan hike with mountain and glacier . Call Us: 907-783-0505. A 20-minute drive from Juneau, this 13-mile glacier has the most . Drive out on the highway to Girdwood, and turn left at the sign that says "Portage Glacier". 1. Find 2 listings related to Ice House in Anchorage on YP.com. Spencer Glacier, Chugach National Forest - This lake-side glacier is also near Anchorage. All of NOVA's daily glacier tours are only a couple hours long, creating a perfect half or full day escape. Sutton, AK 99674 USA. But if . You'll need a car or if you're taking a tour you can arrange for a ride at an additional cost. The Matanuska Glacier is where all . Drive Toward Mendenhall Glacier In The Tongass National Forest. The trailhead is located right off the side of the Richardson Highway at about mile post 217. Make exploring an ice cave near Anchorage, Alaska a priority during your travels. The most famous Alaskan ice caves are located under Mendenhall, Root, Spencer, Matanuska, and Kennicott Glaciers. You can refer to the graphic below. Located a short 12 miles outside Alaska's capital city of Juneau, the Mendenhall Ice Caves are ever-changing due to melting ice and glacier recession but an absolute wonder to explore. By air, by cruise ship, or by the Marine Highway (aka: the ferry). The torrent has widened the cave opening near the . Directions. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 44 min to complete. Northwest Gel Inc. Ice. One of the most popular glaciers in Alaska, Mendenhall sits just 12 miles outside of Juneau.The West Glacier Trail, a roughly four-mile jaunt, is the easiest way to get there. Salmon Berry Travel & Tours . Byron Glacier Trail. The Trail of Blue Ice. Matanuska Glacier is a 2-hour scenic drive north of Anchorage and it's the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States! Soak up the sunset over Turnagain Arm on the 1.5-hour drive back to Anchorage. The Bagley Icefield, which is the largest non-polar icefield in North America, covers approximately 1,900 square miles. August 17, 2022 Update: The ice cave at the front of Castner Glacier has morphed considerably this summer. 3. )Wouldn't mind driving to Valdez and staying a. This includes an area near Fairbanks, Alaska, . 116 ft. This is perhaps one of the best falls for family ventures. . 9 Places In Alaska That Will Make You Wish You Lived Underground. None of the tours I looked up showed dates in Dec so wondering if there is a way. The drive from Anchorage takes 4 hours and 57 minutes and follows a paved road the entire time. Jber (6 . Planning a trip to Anchorage and was wondering how many glacier spots have ice caves to see? Ice caves in winter at Alaska - Anchorage Forum. A visit to Root Glacier includes views of Donoho Peak and the rock-covered Kennicott Glacier, which might not look glacial, but there is actually ice underneath the dirt and stones. Phone: (907) 745-2534 Text: (907) 232-9046. Along with climbing, your guide will lead an exploration of glacial features such as: crevasses, caves, surface rivers, tubes and ice caves. Do it all on this great week-long winter adventure in Alaska with 4 nights in Anchorage and glacier hiking on Matanuska Glacier and 2 nights at Chena Hot Springs for the ultimate prize: Northern Lights viewing!! See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Ice House locations in Anchorage, AK. Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield. . Even if it's in the 70s in Anchorage, bring long sleeves or a jacket.