Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier, a 13.6-mile glacier near Juneau in Southeast Alaska, flows from the Juneau Icefield into Mendenhall Lake within a protected recreation area of Tongass National Forest. Known to the Tlingit by earlier names and renamed in 1891 for Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, it has been scientifically monitored since 1942. The glacier is notable for both easy public access and sustained retreat, having pulled back substantially since 1929 and since about 1500 as the regional climate warms. Its retreat has revealed ancient forest remains, while the growing lake supports fish habitat. The site is also a major visitor destination with trails, a historic Forest Service visitor center, and local cultural associations.

Juneau, Alaska · United States