Snowbird Glacier
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Snowbird Glacier | |
|---|---|
 Snowbird Glacier as viewed from the southern pass. | |
  Snowbird Glacier | |
 Interactive map of Snowbird Glacier | |
| Type | Hanging mountain glacier |
| Location | Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska, United States |
| Coordinates | 61°51′8.6″N 149°12′19.5″W / 61.852389°N 149.205417°W |
| Terminus | alpine moraines |
| Status | retreating |
Snowbird Glacier is a hanging alpine glacier in the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska.
Snowbird Glacier is located near the southwestern corner of the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska. It sits in a high alpine bowl surrounded by largely unnamed rugged granite peaks, glaciers, and canyons. Snowbird Glacier is located in a high alpine zone characterized by rock, ice, and minimal vegetation.
Human activity and recreation
During the winter and spring, Snowbird Glacier is often visited by backcountry skiers and snowmachiners. During the summer and fall, the glacier is frequented by hikers and backpackers. The glacier lies on the popular Bomber Traverse in the Talkeetna Mountains, which connects several remote mountain huts.
During winter months, adjacent peaks and snowfields may be subject to avalanches. Snowbird Glacier is generally considered safe to travel on during summer months without technical gear, though light crampons or Yaktrax will significantly improve footing. Visitors during all seasons are strongly cautioned to beware of surface water features and moulins, large vertical shafts carved by meltwater which dive from the surface into the heart of the glacier.
