Mendenhall Glacier

In summer, a highlight is the Arctic Tern breeding colony.

Drop in at the Forest Service-managed Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center when you start your exploration of this area for information on trails, trail conditions, and interpretative activities. Here you will learn about the Mendenhall Glacier, and the Juneau Icefield and learn good information about the ecology, geology, and wildlife, including birds found at this spectacular site. Steep Creek Fish and Wildlife Viewing Area is also located at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area and is managed as a safe and accessible viewing opportunity for both salmon (sockeye and coho) and the bears and other animals that feed on the salmon. Many of the Visitor Center staff are bird watchers and happy to share their knowledge and sightings.

In summer, a highlight is the Arctic Tern breeding colony. This may be one of the most accessible places in the Americas to see this champion migrant up close. Also seen from the photo point are nesting Semipalmated Plovers and Spotted Sandpipers. The lake shore also hosts a large mixed colony of Glaucous-winged and Herring Gulls, as well as the occasional Short-billed Gull.

American Dippers frequent Steep Creek year-round. Look for interpretive signs about the many songbirds that use Steep Creek and a publication about the dippers. The recently de-glaciated areas on the Nugget Falls and Moraine Ecology Trail host shrub species such as Yellow Warbler and Warbling Vireo in summer, and finch flocks such as White-winged Crossbill in the winter. Thrushes and other deep forest-dwelling species are seen on the East Glacier Trail.

Directions:

From downtown Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier is 12 miles away. Take Egan Drive and turn right at Mendenhall Loop Road. Mendenhall Loop Road turns into Glacier Spur Road which ends at the Visitor Center.