Eliza Myers is from the tiny town of Skagway, Alaska. With a population of just over 1,200, the city is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Klondike.” Recently, on a day off, she decided that hiking to a glacier would be fun because she “lives in Alaska.”
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The first step of Eliza’s adventure is to take a 40-minute train ride. As she begins her hike, she mentions that she has seen a few bears in the area in the past. Several other people are also hiking to the Alaska glacier. Hopefully, they will produce enough cumulative noise to deter any curious bears. The path is well-worn and easy to follow. Bugs have been the only annoyance thus far on the journey.
The scenery from the train ride and the first part of the hike is incredible. Snow-capped mountains and dense, green forests are visible in every direction. When she arrives at the glacier, Eliza offers a glimpse of a barren, grayish moonscape. The first thought is, “This is what we came for?”
The hikers put on the warmer coats they had brought along as they ventured further out onto the icy landscape.
Hiking Onto The Ice Of A Glacier In Alaska
Eliza continues to walk out onto the actual ice of the glacier. The landscape turns from moon-like to a sparkling, crystallized vista. Hiking carefully over a rocky surface, Eliza chooses her steps as she goes further onto the Alaska glacier. The warmer air temperatures cause melting, creating streams of runoff that carve into the rocky surface.
The sound of the water cascading down the gentle slope is relaxing. Footing for the hikers becomes more treacherous as they go further out onto the glacier. Crevices and ice require them to concentrate before placing each step.
No hiking adventure on a glacier in Alaska would be complete without the obligatory couple’s pose.
As the hikers make their way back to the train, they explore the area, appreciating the raw beauty of the Alaska wilderness. The day’s adventure comes to a close amid wildflowers and a roaring river.
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