Further up the valley, past the point where the summer trail is maintained, there is avalanche hazard from all slopes/aspects. A cornice fall or wet avalanche on this slope can send debris to the valley floor and overrun areas people may choose to travel. With that said, the valley itself, the creek that runs through it, and the persistent cones of avalanche debris that often linger well into the summer are all beautiful in their own right. Avalanche Debris near Byron Glacier Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra Yup, an avalanche happened here in late June...we weren't wearing our snow gripping shoesies...so, we didn't go too far out, but just far enough to glimpse 'ole Byron. Walked up the Byron Glacier Trail to assess the avalanche hazard as we head into May. Be careful not to go to high up on the avalanche chutes since the snow underneath collapses and some point during the summer. Just as I was arriving at the Glacier an avalanche came roaring down from the left side of the Glacier. Please upload photos below. Byron Glacier Trail, Girdwood Picture: avalanche snow in August - Check out Tripadvisor members' 8,975 candid photos and videos. Snowpack is isothermal along trail. Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place. This amount of rain is equivalent to ~30+ feet of snow in the upper elevations. It is a beautiful hike but be alert for avalanches at this time of year! This grassy ridge overlooks the entirety of Byron Glacier, along with Portage Glacier and 3 other glaciers across Portage Lake. Most likely times for natural springtime avalanches are during sunny afternoons/evenings or during warm rainy periods. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/byron-glacier-trail For those who are inclined to scramble around, there’s an enormous pile of boulders left by the glacier’s passage. Byron Glacier trail is fairly flat, gravel packed, and 1.6 miles round trip. wonderful day trip with Bryce and Sierra's class to Byron glacier - fabulous walk across an old avalanche shute :) Another photo looking up drainage taken near the official end of the trail. Many families are constantly on the lookout for great hikes to do with kids of all ages. Right now it is covered in avalanche debris from this season. We set out on an adventure back to Byron Glacier to check out the ice caves. No- seriously. North facing slopes with plenty of snow still hanging above the valley and debris piles from the recent avalanche cycle. On the West side of the valley (East facing slopes) there is no avalanche hazard as most of the snow already avalanched and the terrain has melted out and is almost snow-free. Byron Glacier trailhead is near Portage Lake. Cornices and snow covered upper slopes on the East side of valley (West facing slopes). The first photo looks right at the ‘ice cave’, which is now covered in avalanche debris from this season and not visible. Avalanche danger is highest during two types of weather. The weather was not ideal and was worsening by the minute. This hike is an easy, fun, fully accessible family-friendly trail that leads to overlook of Byron Glacier through lush forest. Bring a light jacket, as winds tend to pick up around the face of the glacier itself. Additionally, snow free slopes may have a rockfall hazard. I hiked the Byron Glacier Trail this morning and had a good workout in deep snow most of the way. No need to register, buy now! Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. The last portion of the trail is completely covered in old avalanche debris. Weather reports today announced that the Byron Glacier Trail is closed due to many avalanches. Essentially 2-6' of wet and unsupportable snow if venturing off the beaten path (post-hole-extravaganza). The cave is safest when temperatures are below zero. Photos from the Byron Glacier trail and surrounding avalanche terrain. The cave becomes visible when the snowpack melts out enough to exposes … Light variable winds. I know the risks and choose to … Rain weakens the already unstable crusts of melting snowpack and is known to trigger wet slab avalanches, the most deadly kind. Byron Glacier is one of the easiest to access glaciers in the Anchorage vicinity, about an hour and 10 minutes drive south of Anchorage, not far beyond the beautiful town of Girdwood. The Byron Glacier Trail near Girdwood, Alaska is a beautiful hike for trekkers of all ages. Loved this glacier...its easily accessible and if you are daring and its the right conditions you can concievably hike right up to the glacial morain. What a mighty lookin' glacier. Remember that portions of these caves can collapse at any time – which can be unsurvivable. This slope on the West side of the valley (East facing) has lost most of its snow and there is no avalanche hazard - however rockfall hazard exists if close to the cliffs. Byron Peak is located in the Chugach National Forest at the head of a short, steep-walled valley, and rises above Portage Lake. Be aware that during the summer this trail head can be packed, especially on the weekends. Remember the Byron Glacier trail is in avalanche terrain. The present study employed 16S rRNA gene amplicon metagenomic sequencing to survey the prokaryotic microbiota on Alaskan glacial ice, revealing a rich and diverse microbial community of … Please upload photos below. A wider angle look at the avalanche terrain that sits above the cave. Remember, nice warm days can melt the snowpack and cause avalanches. The afternoon and evening hours are generally the warmest part of the day and hence the most dangerous. The Byron Glacier trail is a great hike near Anchorage. Sadly, in June of 2018 a woman lost her life when ice from above fell on top of her. If you think a public avalanche center is important please support our organization. The large avalanche debris pile that sits in the bottom/middle of the photo is where the ice cave begins once the snowpack melts down enough. We got close but it was so warm that there was still considerable avalanche and rock slide activity. He had suffered massive injuries, troopers spokesman Greg Wilkinson said. This is where the avalanche hazard is that can be accessed from the trail. Avalanche debris from the south facing slopes. You then break out onto the outwash plains of Byron Glacier and behold a majestic sight. 1- Stormy weather (snow and/or rain). Find the perfect byron glacier stock photo. For those who are inclined to scramble around, there’s an enormous pile of boulders left by the glacier’s passage. Snow and ice caves. However, the East side of the Valley (West facing slopes) still has enough snow cover and over hanging cornices to be a threat. Several hikers on old avalanche debris and away from any avalanche concerns. From here, it is possible to access the ridge and head to Byron Peak, however this is … 10 reviews of Byron Glacier Trailhead "Glacier, Glacial or Glaciation...noun, adjective or verb...they are cool! Enjoy An Easy Family Friendly Hike To The Gorgeous Byron Glacier In Alaska. By the time they got to Byron Glacier, it was dark and too dangerous for a ground search, troopers said. A look up at the Byron Glacier with avalanche hazard on all sides higher up the valley, A look at the East side of the valley and where the caves form over the creek (hidden in the picture). Hiking on the weekdays or arriving early on a weekend is preferable in order to guarantee a parking spot. Temps in the upper 40'sF. In April 2018 a group narrowly escaped an avalanche on the Byron Glacier trail. It's a one-mile scenic walk to the glacier face along Byron Creek. The trail is still snow covered but folks have been walking most of the way up the trail before splitting off where the trail becomes lost under snow. Have me a good scare. With that said, the valley itself, the creek that runs through it, and the persistent cones of avalanche debris that often linger well into the summer are all beautiful in their own right.