Juneau Icefield, spectacular and unique.

Every few weeks I put up something about the unique nature of the area I live. One of the most incredible features, and the one that has shaped the physical features of this area is the Juneau Icefield. It's been described as one of the top natural wonders of the world, just not many people get to see it, or even know about it.




Here is a photo from above Douglas Island where I live, looking toward Juneau (on the waterfront) and the Icefield.



The icefield is about 1,500 sq. miles and at it's deepest, around 5,000 ft thick. It spawns well over 35 glaciers including some of our "backyard glaciers" here in town.

Wiki Article

Heliskiing

Heli-trek

Climbing Mendenhall Towers



The ice field spills over into BC about 35 miles away and you can ski across to Atlin, BC. It's a local playground and tourist area. Visitors can take helicopter tours to the glacier to sightsee, trek or even dogsled.



Locals access the ice caves on a trail system near the Mendenhall Glacier.



For the studious, you can spend a summer on the icefield as part of JIRP, the Juneau Icefield Research Project.

Video


JIRP video


Couple more videos about the icefield

Blue Obsession movie trailer

Blue Obsession


Flightseeing


Just one of the great N. American icefeilds still in existence. This one, literally a short hike from a Capitol city. The glaciers spawn some of the awesome rivers we fish, raft, and kayak as well as create the beautiful valleys here in SE.