Matanuska Glacier Hike

Matanuska Glacier

Where:  Mile 102, Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway. It is about 2 hours drive Northeast of Anchorage.

Guided Hike With: Matanuska Glacier Adventures

Glacial lake Inside Matanuska Glacier

(can you see the climbers above the glacier for comparison how huge this glacier is?- you can click the picture to enlarge)

The Matanuska Glacier is the largest valley glacier accessible by car in Alaska.  Since we were in Denali National Park the day before we explored Matanuska glacier, we made Wasilla as our place to sleep in from Denali. 

Matanuska Glacier ( you can click on the photo to enlarge )

Glacier hiking was one in my "must do" lists when I was planning for our trip. Before the trip, I searched for the cheapest guided glacier hike near Anchorage. I found a lot of guided glacier hikes online, but either they were so expensive or their pictures did not catch my fantasy! Thankfully, the one that caught my fantasy was also the cheapest I found. The Matanuska Glacier Ice Fall Trek is $90 per person ($70 for the guided trek + $20 for entrance). I was so happy about it knowing that other guided glacier hikes range from $150-$350 per person. I thought $90/person was the cheapest I found online, but we were in for a better surprise!

Fireweeds, Inside Matanuska Glacier Park

Nature intervened beautifully in our plans. We did not meet MICA Guides but we met Matanuska Glacier Adventures. A day before we planned to hike Matansuka Glacier, there was heavy downpour of rain. Because of heavy rain we did not attempt to book guided Matanuska Glacier hike with MICA Guides. The next day, the rain was again pouring! Because of rain, we decided to just drive to Matanuska Glacier without making any reservations.

Our First Close Glimpse of Matanuska Glacier and Mountain

Despite the heavy rain, the drive was very pretty. I will share some pictures of the scenery along Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway in a later post. Nature was so kind to us because when we got to Matanuska Glacier Park, the rain stopped. On top of that, we were greeted by  Matanuska Glacier Adventures at the entrance which offer guided glacier hike and ice fall trek for 3 hours, but only for $50/person and without entrance fee! Now, that saved us $40/person.

Guided Trek with Becky ( the one in front)

( the black muddy like soil is actually moraine- debris of gravel and sand that collected above ice!)

The best thing with Matansuka Glacier Adventures is that we were not with a group unlike most guided glacier hikes! We were happier we did not have to go with other people! Not that we are allergic to people, but we preferred always to have our own time with nature. Our guide, Becky, was awesome and very knowledgeable with glaciology! We did not only save money, but we enjoyed and learned more from our private tour and lesson on ice! Though we were unfamiliar with hiking on ice, but it was actually so pleasant, easy, smooth, and above all, SAFE and fun with the help of our guide, Becky. Here are some more glacial features we found in our guided hike.

Features Inside Matanuska Glacier (you can click the picture to enlarge)

Inside Matanuska Glacier were a lot of little reflecting pools like in the above picture. Everywhere we looked seemed to be ice sculpture, such as the arch above and the hoodoo like formation which seemed to be looking up to heaven ready to catch all the blessings.

Just Us and our Guide Becky exploring Matanuska

( what a treat!!! I could imagine tha chaos if we went with bigger glacier guided tours )

 

After some easy uphill and downhill walk on ice, we reached the glacial lake inside the glacier. It was such an out of this world experience to be in it.

Glacial Lake inside Matanuska Glacier (you can click the picture to enlarge)

 (you can click the picture to enlarge)

Crevasse and Moulin  (you can click the picture to enlarge)

It was definitely interesting to see the crevasses and moulin up close. A moulin is a narrow, vertical tubular hole through which meltwater enters a glacier from the surface down to wherever it may go, sometimes into the sea.

This looks like Slot Canyon to Me, Only that the Walls are Ice

After our glacier hike, we stopped at the fireweeds meadow which is inside the Matanuska Glacier Park. On our way out, we saw the Micah Guides guided tour coming in, the company we were initially planning to reserve, and on seeing the crowd of people (too many) and the heavy clouds coming in (threat of rain), we felt so lucky we had a more private almost an on our own hike on ice. 

Fireweeds and Matanuska Glacier from Rifle Lodge in Rain

When we finally reached Rifle Lodge for lunch and physical nourishment, the heavy rain poured. I looked out at the glacier again from the restaurant, I couldn't help but thank nature for stopping the rain before we started our hike, and waited for us to finish the hike before the heavy rain poured again! I also thanked nature for beautifully intervening in our plans, saving us $40 each and giving us so many pictures to bring home without the crowd hanging around us. We discovered Matanuska Glacier Adventures by serendipity, rain was such a blessing for us on that day.

Pink Fireweeds and Blue Ice, What's Not to Love? 
** that giddy smile in the midst of pink wildflowers and blue glacier was because I was surrounded by pink and blue! :)  **

Though in our trip we saw several towering glaciers, have hiked to two valley glaciers, Exit Glacier and Byron Glacier, but we did not explore deeper inside because of our fear of unfamiliar glacial terrain. After Matanuska Glacier hike, we knew that experiencing the glacier inside cannot be compared from simply watching it up close, and we gained enough confidence that glacier hiking can be as safe as it can be.

After the Rain at Wasilla, Alaska

Just would like to share with you after rain photos of Lake Lucille in Wasilla, Alaska. The photos below were taken at about 11 pm, very close to midnight, yet there was still so much light. 

Why we were up and jumping at this time of the night was because it rained the whole day. Though the rain did not stop us from Hiking at Savage River in Denali National Park, but it did stop us from taking photos for fear of losing our camera to the rain. From Denali, we moved South to Wasilla so we can be closer to Matanuska Glacier, which we plan to hike the next day.  

This was the last night we would be sleeping in Alaska, and we were rewarded with such a pretty view. Yet, during the planning, I simply considered this place as a sleeping place, no more than that! But to my surprise, the view from our room was this beautiful lake, and there was a glass door that connects to the patio and then outside.

I believe the beauty of this lake was enhanced by the rain, clouds scattered up the sky for some colors, but allowed enough light for reflection. 11 pm, should we be outside or inside?

My Cousin, photo taken by me ( I wanted to show reflection)

Me, photo taken by my cousin ( my cousin wanted to show me flying)

And a muskrat joined us :) Though the low light and the very fast swimming muskrat did not allow us to take a better picture, so all I can say is that this muskrat had fish in his mouth, since when we saw him fast swimming, he dived, disappeared, and when the muskrat came out, he had a fish! Muskrat's dinner at 11 pm!

All the jumping and playing in this lake had to end since we knew we had to get up early the next day for the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway drive and Matanuska Glacier hike, which I hope to share next. 

A Break From The Waves... Critters Came to Play

Giant Barrel Cactus in Bloom, Cactus Garden- Balboa Park

Finally decided yesterday would be the last day for me chasing the waves this summer. So, today, I took a walk at Balboa Park and am so pleased with who greeted me. My first stop always at Balboa Park is the Cactus Garden, the unique twisting of cacti branches always awe me.

Cactus Garden, Balboa Park

After the Cactus Garden, I went to Zorro Garden, where I would usually see a lot of butterflies and hummingbirds. The hummingbirds today were too restless for me to take picture, but some butterflies cooperated.

Monarch on Pink Flower

They were so busy enjoying the sweet nectar of the flowers that they hardly mind my presence.

In fact, it was I who got tired taking shots of this monarch since it won't leave the flower. I finally decided to leave it alone and enjoy the flower without my presence. I wished another butterfly would join but all the other butterflies were simply busy fluttering their wings around, so confused probably which flower to enjoy.

After Zorro Garden, I then continued my walk to Alcazar Garden, and then to the Palm Canyon Trail.

From Palm Canyon Trail, I made a loop to Organ Pavilion and then to the the Reflecting Pond.

Reflecting Pond

Nearby the reflecting pond I saw some more busy creatures. 

Happy Moth

Closer

Busy Bee

and when this busy bee looked up, I walked away :( I was afraid the bee did not want me there :) But as I walked away, it made me think, "hmmm, maybe the bee was just greeting me, asking me where have I been?"

My walk today made me excited to wander on land again and just merely get contented looking and listening at the sea. No more riding the waves, but well, happy to say this summer had been my best so far in terms of enjoying the waves. Now, the land is beckoning me.

In the Deep Silence of My MInd

In the deep silence of my mind 

Beyond the echoing of the birds 

The swaying of the trees

And the splashing of the blue ocean

Moose @ Denali National Park

While comfortably sitting inside the Green Bus of Denali National Park, I was whining deep inside what a disappointment it was at Wonder Lake because swarm of mosquitoes feasted on us :( while the mountains played hide and seek, covered with very thick clouds. 

Instead of focusing on the negative feelings of regretting the trip to Wonder Lake, I shifted to being thankful for what a beautiful day had it been!! I thanked the Lord for allowing us to see grizzly bears, caribou, moose, golden eagle, dall sheep, among others safely. Denali National Park has very rich wildlife, it was for that reason that the National Park was established, to protect the mammals that inhabit the place. But the vast and inspiring landscape of Denali, and the presence of Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,320 ft inspired so many who were able to experience the beauty of this immense place.     

Moose Swimming in the Pond and the Denali Mountains

(this is how far we were from the moose)

Now, on our way back to Eielson Visitor Center, I was looking far afar towards the mountains wishing the clouds to be lifted up, so I can at least see Mt. McKinley. Then, I shifted the direction of my eyesight to the many glacier-carved ponds of the tundra. I saw a huge brown ball kind of floating on the water. Pointing to that brown ball floating on the water, I shouted to the bus driver, "STOP! There's an animal down the water..a bear?..." And then, the moose head popped up, and those who were looking at where I was pointing, shouted, "MOOSE!!!" :)

Moose, Enjoying a Swim

And our very kind and friendly Green bus driver teased me while shaking his head: "Bear, huh?  How on Earth were you able to spot that moose far?" But I just gave him a smile back and just like everybody else in the bus, got busy with our camera following the moose. 

Moose, Why Are You Staring at the Ducks?

Thankfully, Moose is Vegetarian, he just wanted to challenge the ducks swimming

 Moose are excellent swimmers. They are not very social animals, and oftentimes find alone. They are the largest members of the deer family. Adult males can weigh 900-1400 pounds. Moose use their long legs to wade into bodies of water and eat plants off the bottom.

Sleepy Eyes?

While we were busy following the moose swim, someone from the group inside the bus shouted with excitement: "The clouds were moving higher, Mt. McKinley can now be seen, take picture! take picture! Before it disappears again!"

Moose Swimming on a Glacial Carved Pond and Denali Mountains

Thankfully, the clouds did not go down low so fast to hide Mt. McKinley! I may not have Mt. McKinley at Wonder Lake, but finally, happy to see part of its face. I'll share more about Mt. McKinley and Denali's immense landscape in a later post. 

Mt. McKinley in Partial Clouds

 On our way outside of the park, we saw this bull moose. We were really that close, and I did not have to use a zoom lens for this one, I only used 100mm focal length for this shot. Thankfully, we were inside the bus and safe, since the bull moose can be very aggressive when disturbed.

Though we may not have the best weather in Denali, but the moose sure went out to play with us :)

Beloit Glacier

Beloit Glacier at Blackstone Bay, Prince William Sound, Alaska

First, I hope you are not tired yet of another "icy" post. If you are, I will warn ahead that there will be more. However, as much as possible, I alternate my glaciers post with other non-icy post, they are my icebreakers :) These days, I am 100% taking advantage of summer enjoying the ocean's waves, where I shared a poem of what I feel like when I am "One With The Wave" in my 3 months old Breathe In...Breathe Out blog. I am taking advantage of my lack of taking photos these days by sharing photos from our summer trip in Alaska. 

Now, moving on to Beloit Glacier, another tidewater glacier in Blackstone Bay which is actually not that much farther from Blackstone Glacier which I shared in my previous post. How close are Blackstone Glacier and Beloit Glacier to each other? The answer is in the picture below. 

Beloit Glacier and Blackstone Glacier 

Beloit Glacier is on the left side while Blackstone Glacier is on the right side of the picture. I used an arrow to point to a waterfall in Blackstone glacier, hoping you would recognize it after seeing the up close picture of Beloit Glacier with the waterfall in my previous post. Our Major Marine Tours cruise ship took us up to about half a mile to the glacier, but for safety reasons, we could not come closer. Here are more pictures as we got closer to Beloit Glacier.

Valley Glacier

On our way to Beloit Glacier, we saw a lot of valley glacier and cirque glacier.A cirque glacier is a small glacier that occupies a bowl shaped depression between mountain valleys. Alaska has a lot of them, often unnamed. Valley glaciers, like the one above are also called hanging or alpine glaciers. They are glaciers that flow down out of mountain valleys, generally larger at the head and smaller at the base. The terminus of the valley glacier is above sea level. 

Floating Ice as we get closer to Beloit Glacier

Beloit glacier is a tidewater glacier or a fjord glacier, it is actually also a valley glacier but occupies a fjord and the terminus lie below sea level and has an almost vertical face often more than 1000 ft high. Tidewater glaciers shed off huge chunks of glacial age called calving. 

Beloit Glacier and Waterfalls

When we were closer to Beloit Glacier, the sound of the many waterfalls around it was so soothing. 

Some of the Waterfalls Up Close

The feeling of looking at the 1,700 ft tall glacier above us, and sometimes hearing the thunderous sound of calving was beyond words of describing. It was our first time to be that close (half a mile away) to a towering sea of ice and it was overwhelming. It is during this kind of moment usually that I fail to think properly how to take pictures, I just simply am immersed with the surroundings. How can we freeze and bring home the beauty of nature that we see? We can't! 

Nature's Ice Scuplture, Beloit Glacier Up Close

No pictures we have for me brought any justice to the majestic scenery. But I am glad at least I brought home some pictures to see again, to relive our experience of being there, and imagine the sounds we heard. As we left Beloit Glacier and headed back towards Whittier Port, we saw these two courageous kayakers who were approaching the glacier.

Kayakers Approaching Beloit Glacier

Perhaps it is a lot more different experience for them since they are really approaching the glacier much closer, however, after hearing the thunderous sound of calving, and seeing waterfall rushing underneath the glacier, 

Stream of water and ice rushing out underneath the glacier

I was glad I was in the safety of coast guard certified Emerald Sea with a National Park Ranger inside. I am not daring and adventurous enough to kayak very close to a tidewater glacier, where the glacier can send huge masses of ice down to you anytime. On our way back to Whittier Port, our sightseeing did not end, because everything we see was something different from what we normally see. 

With humpbacks and orca whales in the water, our camera did not get a chance to rest all, except when we wanted to have some foods!

Humpback whale( see the bird next to it?)

Orca 

Kittiwakes and Waterfall

Kittiwakes are actually member of the gull family. Kittiwakes are coastal breeding birds that secure their nests to the sheer cliffs. This bird is common throughout Southcental Alaska.

Hope you had enjoyed my two posts on Blackstone Bay at Prince William Sound, Blackstone Glacier and today's post, Beloit Glacier.  

Happy weekend everyone.......