Blue Pools
Glacier Feature: Blue Pools
When you travel out on the glacial ice in Alaska, the experience is breath taking and the all encompassing beauty is almost overwhelming. Beyond the majestic ice falls and kettle ponds you start to enter crevasses of deep blues and beautiful ice features. And from there they open into one of the most popular and highly sought after ice features, the pristine blue glacial pools.
Often times, this means going miles away from the crowds and into the more remote areas of the glacier. We highly recommend taking the chance to make the most of visiting the blue pools by traveling by helicopter. These glacial waters are some of the more rare features you can visit.
Pristine Glacier Pools
Typically you can find blue pools not too far from meltwater winding through and over solid white glacier ice. Where thicker glacial ice sheets exist and there are depressions in the ice from meltwater and gravity, you can observe some of the most brilliant hues of blue water. This water is vibrant in color and looks almost like it belongs in warm tropical regions.
Alas, it is quite frigid, resting slightly above a freezing temperature. Some brave souls have even taken quick swims in these pools that take their breath away. Both from the raw beauty and the icy cold temperatures. Sometimes you may even have a nearby waterfall pouring into and creating a seemingly everlasting pool of blue. In certain areas you may even be able to climb a near by ice wall while reveling in the beauty.
Deep Blues
We get to enjoy the views of these brilliant colors do to the reflection and refraction of light. The longer that light has to travel through water and ice, the bluer they appear. Blue light is the shortest wavelength of light and absorbs any longer wavelengths of light. (USGS) The density of the ice on the bottom and the depth of meltwater effect how blue the water can appear to us.
Exploring Blue Pools
There are some trips that let you get up close and personal to these magnificent features and offer some added adventure too. By going on an adventure like a private Advanced Trek you can have the chance for some added thrill. This tour brings you out onto the ice to these amazing areas, and you get to be up close and personal with some basic rope systems to help support you. You will have your own crew of professional glacier guides to assist you along the way. They have ample glacier knowledge, can help you with your gear, and answer any questions or concerns that may arise. And you might just capture some of your best Alaska memories this way too. Sometimes, being there first hand is the finest way to learn about these glacial gems.