Tongass National Forest

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Photo Gallery

A paved parking lot fronts a panoramic view of Mendenhall Glacier between the hills that define its course.

Your first view as you come to
the parking lot is spectacular.

Drive on in and see the
covered pavilion on your left,
site of the fish cam monitor
during the fish run.

Look to the right
for your first glimpse of
the visitor center.

 To the left of the parking lot rises the stone structure of a covered pavilion.
From the path, you can catch glimpses of the glacier and its "hatchlings" - icebergs in the lake. The curved window wall of the observation room defines the structure of the visitor center atop a rock bluff overlooking the parking lot and trails. A paved trail takes you on an easy stroll through a fresh landscape to a photo point which gives you an unobstructed view of Mendenhall Glacier
Icebergs dot the smooth surface of Mendenhall Lake viewed through a frame of willow branches. Mendenhall Glacier and a short waterfall form a backdrop for willows and a fish stream in the foreground. A rock wall-lined paved path curves beside a stream toward a viewpoint across the lake from the glacier face. Benches and interpretive signs are dotted along the walk.
  A sand bar, iceberg-dotted lake, and flowing glacier sit between steep hills under a cloud-dappled blue sky.  
Mama black bear joins her two small cubs in a willow tree. This is bear country. Keep your eye out for black bears fishing, strolling, or following their youngsters up a tree. Give them wide berth, especially mamas with cubs. A black bear ambles along a spit between two parts of Mendenhall Lake with the glacier in the background.
  Several yards later, the bear continues its stroll.  
The successful foray resulted in a nice fish for the bear's dinner. Carrying its prize, the bear moves away from the water to find a good picnic spot.   Bears like trails, too. This black bear takes advantage of the cleared area as it goes about its business.
  Four intrepid swimmers emerge from the lake onto a sandy beach.
Bears aren't the only ones to enjoy the lake. A warm sunny day brings out swimmers to brave the ice-fed water.
Visitor Center store displays photos, books, t-shirts and other merchandise available for sale.
Inside the center building, the Alaska Natural History Association (ANHA) runs a store. Items carried range from T-shirts to books to stamps to maps, with lots of other good stuff along the way. For more information, contact the store manager at 907-789-6641 or mwarrenchuk@alaskanha.org
  

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