The Mendenhall Glacier began forming some 3,000 years ago and is one of many major glaciers that connect to the vast Juneau Ice Field, a 1,500 square mile remnant of the last ice age. 

The glacier, pictured above, is famous for being a vast 13-mile-long river of ice situated within easy reach of downtown Juneau. It is the only glacier in Southeast Alaska that is accessible by road and features a brilliant, glowing blue and turquoise colour.

Since 1929 the glacier has retreated 1.75 miles (2.8 km) with the melted ice filling the lower valley basin now known as Medenhall Lake.