Matanuska Glacier and the Glenn Hwy, Alaska

After leaving the area around Palmer, we continue driving east homeward on the Glenn Hwy. At first, the highway follows along the Matanuska River, but then winds ever closer to the Chugach Mountains.

Matanuska River

Glenn Hwy and Chugach Mountains

We pass what appears to be a large rock slide. Later we learn it's not a rock slide, but a Rock Glacier, which is a glacier so covered with rocks and debris, it's disguised as a landslide.

Rock Glacier

Glenn Hwy curving through mountains

The day becomes sunnier and we thoroughly enjoy the drive through the mountain scenery without many other vehicles on the road.
As the mountains become even higher, we get our first glimpse of the Matanuska Glacier, the source of the Matanuska River. According to the Milepost, 18K years ago the this glacier reached all the way to Palmer. Unlike many other Alaskan glaciers, it has remained stable for the last 400 years

We stop at the Matanuska State Recreational Site by the glacier and take a short nature hike to get a closer look. Even through you can almost drive up to the edge of the glacier, to do so, you need to cross private land with an entrance fee. It's odd that the State of Alaska doesn't have better public access to one of their natural wonders so close to a major highway. Perhaps the land was originally settled by homesteaders many years ago and the family has held onto the property.

Matanuska River

First view of the Matanuska Glacier

Fall colors start to show on hike to glacier outlook

Although we aren't able to hike to the edge of the glacier, Peter is able to capture it with his telephoto lens.

Foot of Matanuska Glacier

Close up of glacier

Helicopter flightseers

Pano of Matanuska Glacier

As we move a little farther down the road, we can see the glacier flowing from the mountain range. The terrain then becomes drier and very steep and we get to see even more glaciers to the south.

Matanuska Glacier flowing out of mountains

Steep drive

Nelchina Glacier in Chugach Mountains

We stop for lunch at the Grand View Cafe and & RV Park. Across the highway are mountains rich in mineral deposits prized by Dall sheep.  So many Dall sheep are in the area, that the cafe has spotting telescopes set up for customers to see them on the steep slopes. Needless to say, the main mountain is called Sheep Mountain (one of several we've encountered on this trip).

Sheep Mountain

Back on the road, we begin to see glimpses of Mounts Drum and Sanford in the Wrangle Mountain range, which has some of the tallest peaks in Alaska.

Wrangel Range

Mount Sanford

Views of Alacom Road with Chugach Moutains

Although we are only 10 miles outside of Tok, we decide to stay at the Tolsona Wilderness Campground, which is 3/4 mile off the highway and surrounded on three sides by wilderness areas. This is one of our favorite private RV Parks we stay at as it's in a quiet beautiful area with large private spaces complete with electricity, water, laundry, and WiFi that works (Marti's definition of a perfect RV Park)... all for a reasonable price.