The Matanuska Glacier is located about 100 miles north of Anchorage on the Glen Highway. The best over-all view of the glacier is seen from Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site. There is a daily parking fee of $5, but you have 30 minutes to pay the fee. My recommendation is to take a quick view of the glacier from this vantage point (and maybe snap a few photos). This can easily be done in less than 30 minutes. After that, get back on the Glen Highway and head a short distance to Glacier Park/Glacier Access road (the road is bumpy, but most cars will be able to make it if taken slowly and carefully). At the bottom of the windy, dirt road there is a gift shop. The fee to drive the last two miles is $20 per person (there are discounts for military, seniors, and children). Waivers have to be signed for entrance since there is nothing to keep people from walking out to and on to the glacier.
Once at the final parking lot, the only thing left to do is get out and enjoy the scenery.
View from Matanuska State Recreation Site
The Jagged Ice
The Blue Ice
Notice the blue hue of the ice within the cracks. The blue hue is caused by compression of the snow and ice.
Glacial Till
To be honest, I just loved the blue skies and clouds. Capturing the glacial till (remnants left behind by the massive erosive pressure of a glacier) was just a bonus.
Another Photo of the Glacier on a Beautiful Day
Something I didn’t know
Wikipedia says that Matanuska Glacier is the largest glacier in the United States that can be driven to by car. I learn something new every day.
More About My Trip
To see all posts about my Alaska/Canada Road Trip click here.
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