Mendenhall Ice Caves, Ice cave system in Juneau, United States.
The Mendenhall Ice Caves form a network of passages within the 12-mile-long glacier, featuring varying shades of blue ice from aqua to deep cobalt.
The glacier, known to native Tlingit people as Sitaantaagu and Aak'wtaaksit, has receded nearly two miles since 1958, compared to half a mile over 450 years prior.
The caves serve as research locations for scientists studying glacial retreat patterns and their effects on global climate patterns and local ecosystems.
Access to the caves requires guided tours combining kayaking to the glacier edge followed by climbing, with tours typically operating from July through September.
The cave structures change continuously as water flows through the glacier, creating new passages while others melt away, making each visit different from the last.
Location: Alaska
GPS coordinates: 58.44234,-134.55591
Latest update: March 3, 2025 10:32
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