Blue Pools

Categories: Glacier Education, Glacier Information, Matanuska Glacier FeaturesTags: , , , ,
a man swimming in the water

Glacier Feature: Blue Pools

When you travel out on the glacial ice in Alaska, the experience is breathtaking, 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. From there, they open into one of the most popular and highly sought-after ice features, the pristine blue glacial pools.

Often, 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 see.

Pristine Glacier Pools

Typically, you can find blue pools that are 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.

scenic view of blue water on a glacier with mountains on the background
Alas, it is pretty frigid, resting just above freezing. Some even take quick swims in these pools that take their breath away momentarily, both for their raw beauty and their 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 nearby ice wall while reveling in the beauty.

Deep Blues

We enjoy the views of these brilliant colors because of the light’s reflection and refraction. The longer that light has to travel through water and ice, the bluer they appear. Blue light has the shortest wavelength and absorbs longer wavelengths. (USGS) The density of the ice at the bottom and the depth of the meltwater affect how blue the water appears to us.
More often than not, on a glacier, there are many clear blue sky days. Clear skies offer more consistent opportunities to see some of the most vibrant shades of blue. When there is less cloud cover, the more magnificent the blue hues appear to us.

Exploring Blue Pools

Some trips let you get up close and personal with these magnificent features and also offer added adventure. Going on an adventure like a private Advanced Trek gives you the chance to get some added thrill. This tour brings you onto the ice to these fantastic areas, and you get to be up close and personal with some basic rope systems to help support you.
You will have your 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. And you might just capture some of your best Alaska memories this way, too. Sometimes, being there firsthand is the finest way to learn about these glacial gems.