My Alaska Glacier Adventure

Chasing Ice: My Alaska Glacier Adventure

There are few places on Earth where you can witness the power of nature quite like Alaska. This journey became a celebration of ice, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and landscapes so breathtaking that every day felt like stepping into a National Geographic documentary. From touching thousand-year-old glacier ice to hearing the thunder of glaciers breaking apart, this was an adventure I’ll never forget.

Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier – Up Close with Ancient Ice

Our glacier adventure began in the spectacular Endicott Arm, one of Alaska’s most dramatic fjords. Towering granite cliffs, countless waterfalls, and floating blue ice escorted us toward the magnificent Dawes Glacier.

The highlight was boarding a small excursion boat that brought us incredibly close to the glacier. Standing just yards away from this massive wall of ice was humbling. I even had the chance to touch glacier ice—a simple moment that somehow made the experience feel even more real.

Then came one of nature’s most unforgettable sounds.

Every so often we heard a deep, thunderous crack echoing across the fjord. Everyone instinctively turned toward the glacier, knowing another calving event was about to happen. Moments later, enormous chunks of ancient ice crashed into the water, reminding us that glaciers are not frozen in time—they are constantly moving and changing.

Juneau – Returning to Mendenhall Glacier

Our next stop was Juneau, home to the famous Mendenhall Glacier.

Having visited Mendenhall on previous trips, I chose not to spend as much time at the glacier itself. Instead, I wandered through downtown Juneau, enjoying its shops, local cafés, and relaxed waterfront atmosphere. Sometimes revisiting a destination lets you appreciate it in a different way.

Skagway – Glaciers Along the White Pass Railway

Skagway offered another incredible surprise.

Even from the streets of town, Harding Glacier could be seen in the distance, towering above the mountains.

One of the highlights of the day was riding the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad to Fraser, British Columbia. As the train climbed through rugged mountain passes, the scenery became increasingly spectacular.

Along the route we passed Denver Glacier, Laughton Glacier, and countless ice fields draped across the surrounding peaks. Every turn revealed another postcard-worthy view of snow, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and glaciers stretching into the distance.

Glacier Bay National Park – A Different Perspective

No Alaska cruise feels complete without visiting Glacier Bay National Park.

This visit was different from my previous one. Because of weather conditions, our ship wasn’t able to approach the famous Margerie Glacier as closely as planned. Surprisingly, I wasn’t disappointed since I’d already experienced Margerie on an earlier trip.

Instead, we sailed remarkably close to Johns Hopkins Glacier, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the voyage.

The glacier was magnificent. Floating icebergs surrounded the ship, and we could clearly see harbor seals resting peacefully on the ice. Throughout our visit, National Park Service rangers and naturalists came aboard, sharing fascinating stories about the park’s geology, wildlife, and the ever-changing glaciers. Their narration made the experience even more meaningful.

Yakutat Bay – The Mighty Hubbard Glacier

Our journey continued into Yakutat Bay, home to the immense Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier.

Its sheer size is difficult to comprehend until you’re standing before it. The towering wall of blue ice dominates the bay, reminding visitors how powerful and wild Alaska truly is.

Valdez – Celebrating the Summer Solstice

One of the most memorable days of the trip was spending the summer solstice in Valdez.

Before reaching Worthington Glacier, we traveled through mountain scenery filled with spectacular waterfalls cascading down towering cliffs. Every bend in the road revealed another breathtaking view.

Worthington Glacier itself was another reminder of Alaska’s incredible beauty—a landscape where mountains, ice, and rushing water come together in perfect harmony.

Seward – Hiking to Exit Glacier

In Seward, I explored Kenai Fjords National Park by hiking to Exit Glacier.

The trail was beautifully maintained and easy to follow, winding through forests toward the glacier. As with many hikes in Alaska, visitors are reminded that they are sharing the wilderness with wildlife.

A black bear had been spotted earlier that morning, so everyone remained alert while enjoying the hike. Thankfully, my encounter was only with stunning scenery and fresh mountain air.

College Fjord – A Perfect Grand Finale

Our final glacier destination was the magnificent College Fjord.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Calm waters created mirror-like reflections of snow-covered mountains and glaciers, allowing me to capture some of my favorite photographs of the entire trip.

College Fjord is famous for its glaciers named after Ivy League colleges, but the stars of the day were Harvard Glacier and Vassar Glacier.

Our captain skillfully navigated the ship through narrow waters, bringing us remarkably close to these towering rivers of ice. Watching the glaciers reflected perfectly in the still water was the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey.

From touching ancient ice at Dawes Glacier, to riding through glacier-filled mountain passes in Skagway, to watching seals lounge on icebergs near Johns Hopkins Glacier, and ending with the mirror-like beauty of College Fjord, this Alaska adventure reminded me how extraordinary our planet truly is.

Alaska isn’t just a destination—it’s a place that makes you feel wonderfully small in the presence of nature’s greatest masterpieces