This hiking route on the Matanuska Glacier is perfect if you have an advanced level and want to take on one of the most demanding hikes in southern Alaska. You’ll be amazed by the untouched landscapes of the glacier’s least-visited areas!
Trip Details
We’ll meet at 38100 Glenn Highway, where we’ll make the necessary preparations and gear up to explore one of the most accessible glacier systems in Alaska.
After a short 10-minute drive, we’ll reach the starting point of the Matanuska Glacier trail. From here, our adventure begins as we hike more than 9 km (5.6 mi) across dynamic glacial terrain, characterized by steep slopes, pressure ridges, and uneven surfaces.
We'll pass through the area known as Ice Falls to enter the heart of the Matanuska Glacier, where the formations become more complex and less traveled. Did you know this glacier is actually a solid river that can move up to 30 cm (12 in) per day?
Throughout the route, we’ll explore seracs, deep crevasses, and moulins—vertical shafts carved by meltwater. All the while, we’ll examine the stratigraphy of the ice, where each layer preserves thousands of years of geological history.
In some sections, we’ll carry out simple rappelling maneuvers to descend small formations created by thermal erosion.
The best part? We’ll do the route in a small group of no more than 4 people, allowing us to adapt the pace to our physical abilities and closely observe lichens, cryophilic algae, and microorganisms that inhabit this seemingly inhospitable ecosystem.
Finally, after a total of 6 hours of hiking, we’ll return to the vehicle and head back to the initial meeting point. See you next time!
Activity Requirements
- For the use of boots and crampons, the minimum shoe size is 38 EU (5 US) for men and 35 EU (4.5 US) for women. The maximum size is 49 (14 US).
- To take part in the activity, the maximum weight allowed is 113 kg (249 lbs), and the minimum weight is 45 kg (99 lbs).
- The difficulty level of this hiking route is moderate to difficult.
- This activity isn’t suitable for people with respiratory, physical, or mental conditions, or for those with central or peripheral cardiovascular diseases.
- A short balance test is required before departure. This simple exercise helps the guide assess participants’ mobility and stability, as they’ll need to walk on uneven rocks and go up and down stairs.
