Twins in America - Mendenhall Glacier

Twins Kelly and Kyle in front of Mendenhall Glacier outside Juneau

Mendenhall Glacier is a glacier about 12 miles long located in Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles from downtown Juneau in the southeast area of Alaska. Originally named Auk Glacier by naturalist John Muir in 1879, it was given its present name in honor of of Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, the U.S. Coast and Geological Society Superintendent in 1892. It extends from the Juneau Icefield to the Mendenhall River and Mendenhall Lake.

The Glacier is monitored closely and has receded 1.75 miles since 1910 while the terminus of the glacier has retreated 1900 feet since 1948.