Kristin Thompson exits an ice cave through a jumble of ice blocks at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kristin Thompson exits an ice cave through a jumble of ice blocks at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Stunning photos of the ice caves at the Mendenhall Glacier

A winter wonderland of ice.

  • By Michael Penn Juneau Empire
  • Wednesday, February 13, 2019 1:03pm
  • NewsPhotography

The frozen Mendenhall Lake makes for easy access to a winter wonderland of ice.


• Contact staff photographer Michael Penn at 523-2262 and mpenn@juneauempire.com. Follow our Instagram at @Juneau.Life.


Paul Rodriquez rides his bake back from the Mendenhall Glacier after taking pictures with a drone on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Rodriquez has started a drone photography business called DynaHover. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Paul Rodriquez rides his bake back from the Mendenhall Glacier after taking pictures with a drone on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Rodriquez has started a drone photography business called DynaHover. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A bicyclist rides across Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A bicyclist rides across Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Robert Luna, right, and Stephanie Garren take a day off from their Coast Guard jobs to enjoy the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Robert Luna, right, and Stephanie Garren take a day off from their Coast Guard jobs to enjoy the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sam Post, left, and Lydia Steele ski back from a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Sam Post, left, and Lydia Steele ski back from a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

People walk to and from the Mendenhall Glacier on the frozen Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

People walk to and from the Mendenhall Glacier on the frozen Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon Thompson makes his way through a jumble of ice block at the entrance of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon Thompson makes his way through a jumble of ice block at the entrance of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon Thompson makes his way through a jumble of ice block at the entrance of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Salmon Thompson makes his way through a jumble of ice block at the entrance of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alexia Keifer and her son, DJ, 8, explore an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alexia Keifer and her son, DJ, 8, explore an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alexia Keifer and her son, DJ, 8, explore an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alexia Keifer and her son, DJ, 8, explore an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Shawn Lovell explores an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Shawn Lovell explores an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Interior views of an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Helen Rice and her husband, Jason Writesel, visiting from Ohio, explore an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Helen Rice and her husband, Jason Writesel, visiting from Ohio, explore an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Helen Rice and her husband, Jason Writesel, visiting from Ohio, explore the ice at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Helen Rice and her husband, Jason Writesel, visiting from Ohio, explore the ice at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Explorers scamper over an icy patch on the way to an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Explorers scamper over an icy patch on the way to an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The face of the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The face of the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

An ice skaters tracks left in the snow on Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

An ice skaters tracks left in the snow on Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The frozen Nugget Falls flows into Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The frozen Nugget Falls flows into Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alexia Keifer pulls her son, DJ, 8, after a day exploring at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alexia Keifer pulls her son, DJ, 8, after a day exploring at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Julie York Coppens and her playful dog, Simeo, returns with Tai Kim, right, from a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Julie York Coppens and her playful dog, Simeo, returns with Tai Kim, right, from a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Greg Cook, with his dog, Hibou, and Dr. John Connolly relax in the sun while out skiing at Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Greg Cook, with his dog, Hibou, and Dr. John Connolly relax in the sun while out skiing at Mendenhall Lake on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

People gather outside the entrance to an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

People gather outside the entrance to an ice cave at the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Two flags with pro-life themes, including the lower one added this week to one that’s been up for more than a year, fly along with the U.S. and Alaska state flags at the Governor’s House on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Doublespeak: Dunleavy adds second flag proclaiming pro-life allegiance at Governor’s House

First flag that’s been up for more than a year joined by second, more declarative banner.

Students play trumpets at the first annual Jazz Fest in 2024. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Fortier)
Join the second annual Juneau Jazz Fest to beat the winter blues

Four-day music festival brings education of students and Southeast community together.

Frank Richards, president of the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., speaks at a Jan. 6, 2025, news conference held in Anchorage by Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy and Randy Ruaro, executive director of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, are standing behind RIchards. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
For fourth consecutive year, gas pipeline boss is Alaska’s top-paid public executive

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, had the highest compensation among state legislators after all got pay hike.

Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Flood district plan charging property owners nearly $6,300 each gets unanimous OK from Assembly

117 objections filed for 466 properties in Mendenhall Valley deemed vulnerable to glacial floods.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Jan. 31, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney gives the State of the University address in Juneau on Jan. 30, 2025. She highlighted the wide variety of educational and vocational programs as creating opportunities for students, and for industries to invest in workforce development and the future of Alaska’s economy. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
University of Alaska president highlights impact on workforce, research and economy in address

Pat Pitney also warns “headwinds” are coming with federal executive orders and potential budget cuts.

Most Read