Monday, Aug. 22nd - Matanuska Glacier and the road to Denali

We woke up for a good breakfast in the lodge restaurant (it was not included in the room price and so cost extra, but was definitely worth it!). We picked up sack lunches which we ordered the day before, and left Sheep Mountain Lodge for the short drive to Mica Guides 'office' location, where we were we had reserved an Ice Fall Trek on the Matanuska Glacier. 

We were welcomed by the Mica Guides team (all-girls crew this morning) which took us efficiently through the paperwork and equipment fitting. We got crampons to attach to our hiking boots and a helmet (if you don't have hiking boots, they will provide that as well).

Matanuska Glacier

We then got into their old van, for the short drive to the glacier access area. This is a private area so you need to pay extra $20 pp and sign their waver. Our guide started us down the path to the glacier until the point where we had to attach our crampons. She then demonstrated how to use them and guided us down the treacherous path across the glacier moraine – parts of it look like dirt but you are actually walking on ice and it's important to know where it is safe to put your foot down.

Dirt Covered Ice

Near the Glacier

You don't need to be in a group to access the glacier - anyone who pays the fee can do it at their own risk. However we found it much better to be with a group, our guide was competent, friendly and informative and we felt very safe throughout the hike. The guides visit the glacier every morning to check out any changes in the glacier and to clearly prepare and mark a safe path for the hike groups.

Mica Guides in Action

Once on the actual glacier we quickly became immersed in the terrific, out of-this world scenery. We walked up and down ice hills (the guide teaches the technique for that), peeked (safely!) into deep crevasses, and explored amazing ice formations, tunnels and moulins.

On the Glacier

Glacier Ponds

Ice Tunnels

Glacial Moulins

It was cloudy but no rain, and the dark skies together with the deep green and yellow fall colors of the mountains, provided a stark contrast to the snow-white features of the glacier itself. Altogether, this was a truly (yet another) awe-inspiring experience. 

Matanuska Panorama

Eventually we got to the 'Ice Fall' – a 'lagoon' on the glacier surrounded by steep ice walls, simply beautiful. We stopped there for about 15 minutes for rest and photos,

Matanuska Ice Fall

Matanuska Ice Fall

Ice Fall Views

Ice Fall Pond

 From the Ice Fall we continued on a loop path out of the glacier and back to the parking lot, with more beautiful view of green and yellow forest, white ice and dark skies.

Matanuska Scenery

On the Glacier

On the Glacier

Matanuska Views

From the parking lot the van took us back to Mica center, where we returned our equipment. They have a tiny coffee booth there, selling espresso drinks and ice cream. We had coffee and ate our lunches. Around 2PM we left Glacier View on our long way to Denali. 

We backtracked down the Glenn Highway but we didn't mind since the scenery was still gorgeous and different in the opposite direction. We stopped at the beautiful Long Lake for stretching our feet and more photos.

Long Lake

We then continued through Palmer and Wasilla to the Parks highway and onward north towards Denali. Once we passed Wasilla it started to rain but again we didn't mind that, being tucked in our car. The clouds prevented any chance to see the Mountain so simply drove all the way to Denali, with only few stretch-up and refreshment stops at the Talkeetna junction and at Alaska Veterans Memorial. 

In the last 1/3 of the road, we drove through the green and yellow taiga forests which were really beautiful. We originally had some concerns about this long and event-less drive, but we ended up enjoying it a lot.

Around 8PM we reached our destination - the Nord Haven Motel in Healy, where we would stay on the next 2 nights. We reserved the room almost a year ahead and got a very good rate. We were positively surprised by how large and comfortable our room was, We liked the hotel a lot and we would definitely recommend it.

We were tired and hungry so immediately drove to the 49^th State Brewery which seemed to us the 'safest bet' in Healy. And indeed we enjoyed it a lot! The large space was full with a noisy crowd (in a good way! ). A happy fire was burning in the middle of the restaurant, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The menu was huge with many promising choices, and more important - a wide beer selection! Overall the food was good and the beer excellent. After a satisfying meal we drove back to the hotel and crashed there since we had a long day tomorrow.