Herbert River carving its way through the bedrock. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Herbert River carving its way through the bedrock. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Photos: Biking and hiking Herbert Glacier

Over the weekend Katie McCaffrey and I spent almost eight hours approaching and exploring the Herbert Glacier at mile 28 on the Juneau road system. We carried glacier travel and crevasse rescue gear just in case we got to walk on the ice. We had every intention to get an early start when the sky was clear and bright, but because of a leisurely Gonzo’s breakfast we didn’t begin on the trail until around noon. At first, the trailhead was super warm but the shade from the old-growth canopy helped cool the way. As we continued towards the more recent glaciated terrain, the trees thinned and a cool breeze could be felt from the ice and raging river.

We raced bikes for five miles. Katie won the race on the maintained trail. That was only because I had the heavier, less efficient of the two bikes. Ha! We ditched the wheels when the trail started skirting the Herbert River, because it became rocky and narrow and undercut from water impact. Continuing the next mile or two on foot, travelling up an alder-ridden hillside to one of the first viewpoints of the glacier.

The peaks of the ice look like the scorched tops of lemon meringue pie. That reminds me that I’m hungry, so we stopped for a snack near a field of moss and lichen that’s grown directly on gravel and silt deposited by the glacier as it’s moved through the landscape. Nutrients consisted of a mini loaf of bread containing full garlic cloves along with fancy bite-sized mozzarella balls. Also packed was about a 1,000 calories worth of Reese’s mini peanut butter cups. We had scoured Fred Meyer that morning for candy that didn’t include palm oil, and found most Reese’s to have some form of palm oil except for Reece’s mini cups wrapped in foil. ¿POR QUÉ HERSHEY?

Back on the trail we had to start using our hands while climbing over steeper slopes on the last stretch to the glacier. I broke my left pinky toe nail again! It’s been broken for about two years straight now. Just keeps re-growing over itself. I could really use a pedicure.

After getting to the ice’s edge and finding a short stretch of blue, unfractured ice with little rock or ice hazard, we decided to explore a system of caves from that specific entrance. There’s much more that’s involved when determining the safety of the underside or surface of a glacier. Knowledge that we’ve gained through multiple glacier travel courses and experiences. Yay, school!

We didn’t end up walking on the ice. It was very steep at the edge of the glacier and it seemed there was more to see underneath anyway. Under the ice, in the belly of the glacier, in the overwhelming blue light we noticed interesting ice formation above our heads. The bedrock seemed to have carved lines through the ice ceiling.

As soon as we were out of the trees and at the river’s border, we became aware of the active mining operation happening close to the glacier’s face. The noise of the generator and pounding machinery was enough to get our attention even before the operation came into sight. After getting back home we looked it up. With the glacier retreating and exposing new territory that’s never been mined before. Companies Grand Portage Resources and Quaterra Resources have started the Herbert Gold project to reap the exposed minerals. Get outta there, mining companies!

Other then the horrific mining operations, the Herbert Trail and Glacier were magnificent and a great time spent.


• California-born and Alaska-bred, Gabe Donohoe is an adventurer and photographer. He is a graduate of the University of Alaska Southeast Outdoors Studies Program. His photo archives can be seen on www.gabedonohoe.com. “Rainforest Photos” photo blog publishes every other Friday in the Empire’s Outdoors section.


The river flowing out from underneath the Herbert Glacier. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

The river flowing out from underneath the Herbert Glacier. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Katie McCaffrey exploring the belly of the glacier. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Katie McCaffrey exploring the belly of the glacier. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Deposited moraine covers the ground on the north side of the Herbert Glacier. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Deposited moraine covers the ground on the north side of the Herbert Glacier. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Multiple layers of Glacial Seracs span the entire horizon. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Multiple layers of Glacial Seracs span the entire horizon. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Herbert River gravel bar at the end of the biking path. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Herbert River gravel bar at the end of the biking path. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Primary succession at work on the recently uncovered earth. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Primary succession at work on the recently uncovered earth. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

More in News

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.
Aurora Forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of March. 19

The FBI Anchorage Field Office is seeking information about this man in relation to a Wednesday bank robbery in Anchorage, the agency announced Thursday afternoon. Anyone with information regarding the bank robbery can contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441 or tips.fbi.gov. Tips can be submitted anonymously.  (FBI)
FBI seeks info in Anchorage bank robbery

The robbery took place at 1:24 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kevin Maier
Sustainable Alaska: Climate stories, climate futures

The UAS Sustainability Committee is hosting a series of public events in April…

Reps. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, offering competing amendments to a bill increasing the per-student funding formula for public schools by $1,250 during a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday morning. McKay’s proposal to lower the increase to $150 was defeated. Story’s proposal to implement an increase during the next two years was approved, after her proposed amounts totalling about $1,500 were reduced to $800.
Battle lines for education funding boost get clearer

$800 increase over two years OKd by House committee, Senate proposing $1,348 two-year increase

A call for a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature to cast a vote that would reject recently-approved salary increases for legislators and top executive branch officials is made by State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a press conference Tuesday. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, rejected the joint session in a letter to Tilton on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
House efforts to nix legislative pay raises hit Senate roadblock

Call for a joint session rejected by upper chamber, bills to overturn pay hikes may lack support

A simulated photo shows the tailings stack and other features of Hecla Greens Creek Mine under the most aggressive of four alternatives for expanding the mine in an environmental impact assessment published Thursday by the U.S Forest Service. The tailings stack is modestly to drastically smaller in the other alternatives. The public comment period for the study is from March 24 to May 8. (U.S. Forest Service)
New study digs into alternatives for Greens Creek Mine expansion

Public comment starts Friday on four options that could extend mine’s life up to 40 years

This image shows the Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament's logo. The club is looking for submissions of logos for the historic tournament's 75th anniversary. The winning artist will receive a $250 prize. (Screenshot)
Take your shot at a Gold Medal logo

Upcoming milestone prompts call for art.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, March 23, 2023

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

The Juneau School Board recently announced the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position: Frank Hauser, Carlee Simon and Thom Peck. The district is hosting a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 at Thunder Mountain High School for students, parents and staff to meet the three candidates. Additionally, the trio will be interviewed by the school board on Tuesday, March 28. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
School district announces finalists for superintendent post

Public forum and interviews scheduled for next week.

Most Read