We will be arriving late afternoon in anchorage. I booked a room at Sheep Mountain near Matanuska Glacier. We will have all the next day to drive to Denali. I know we are going in a different direction than to Denali but was wondering if Matanuska Glacier and staying at sheep mountain is worth the extra drive? I've read you can pay to drive close to Matanuska Glacier. Has anyone done this?
Thanks Jamie

Not only can you drive/park (for a small fee) literally at the foot of the glacier, but you can climb the glacier. Don't wear footwear that you don't want to get dirty. As the glacier is melting, there is a muddy path that you follow to the glacier, however, there are boardwalks and a trail that lead to the best way to the glacier. Views are breathtaking and you climb at your own risk. The glacier is known be a thousands of feet deep and you can hear the melting water fall below your feet. Worth the drive from Sheep Mtn, however, a bit out of the way to head the other direction to Denali. That portion of the Glenn Hwy is a top 100 ranked most scenic route in N. America. There are very few facilities around Sheep Mtn. once you are north of Palmer. Watch for moose and bears. Take binoculars with you along with your camera.

Thanks for the reply. Thought this would be a nice drive since we will be arriving a little late and it would be nice to start our vacation out the next moring by seeing a glacier up close.

First, I would like to welcome you to AK and hope you have a great and safe vacation. The Matanuska Glacier is at approximately milepost 101, meaning 101 miles north of Anchorage. The Glenn Highway out of Anchorage starts out as six lane, down to a four lane for about 45 miles, then the remainder of the road is two lane with 45mph limits, steep grades and sharp curves, not a drive that is usually accomplished within two hours. Not too mention road construction. Check this website for road construction closures: http://511.alaska.gov/

I wouldn't head in that direction, unless I was getting out on the glacier. BUT, I only suggest a guided tour, the longest you can get. Just thinking of "walking" out on to the ice, isn't going to get you far, and for any decent trip, you are going to need crampons.

There is plenty to see and do on the way to Denali park, Do your homework and find out if any of it is of interest, and figure out your time. Hatcher Pass is definately worth the drive, but adding a glacier trek, then the drive to Denali is going to be too long of a day, in my opinion.

There are not that many people who can say they have walked on a glacier. You don't need crampons to walk on the Matanuska Glacier. I take friends and family out there just wearing sneakers. Walking on a glacier is nothing like walking on an ice rink. The glacier has a rough surface but don't take it for granted because it's still ice. You also don't have to spend a lot of time there. There are no other glaciers within driving distance that you can walk upon, or touch without someone saying to you "you can't do that". The driving distance would not be that much different if you started in Anchorage, you are just having to backtrack about 35-40 miles.