The most accessible glacier in Alaska provides plenty of recreational activities

Spanning 27 miles long and four miles wide, Matanuska Glacier is the largest road-accessible glacier in Alaska. Heading east on the Glenn Highway, it is hard to miss the spectacular sight of massive blue ice.

Besides admiring the view from the roadside, there are a myriad of activities available that incorporate exploring the glacier and the surrounding area.

Here are some ideas to experiencing the glacier to the fullest.

There is road access to the face of the glacier through Glacier Park, located at Mile 102 Glenn Hwy.

The entrance fee to access the park based on a per person rate. Glacier Park offers overnight camping, RV parking as well as a shop to purchase Alaska goods and snacks.

Once past the gate, travel two more miles to the start of the trailhead that leads to the glacier.

Matanuska Glacier can be explored on your own, but without the proper gear it can be a slippery and dangerous place. MICA Guides, located at the base of the glacier, offers guided treks for all ages with no prior experience needed.

Guided tours include crampons, trekking poles, helmets as well as boots, backpacks, rain gear, sunglasses and sun block if needed. These tours range from an hour and a half to five-hour treks, all the way through multi-day excursions.

Guide will teach you how to move about safely on the glacier, fascinating facts about the different ice formations and Alaska geology. Don't forget to bring something to eat and drink along with plenty of film for your camera. Another popular activity is a six-hour ice climbing adventure. Again, no prior experience is needed and they provide all the equipment.

Now is the perfect time to try ice climbing by taking advantage of the September discount rate offered all month long.

For more information about these activities and other services, call (800) 956-6422 or visit www.micaguides.com.

Where there are glaciers you will find water close by. Matanuska River, fed by glacier waters, creates the perfect conditions for relaxing float trips for the whole family, to exciting Class IV whitewater rafting adventures.

NOVA has provided rafting and adventure excursions since 1975. They offer an assortment of river trips combined with glacier trekking.

If you are an adventure seeker and don't mind getting wet, the Lionshead Run is the prefect trip for you. After checking in, groups gather at Hick's Creek to get geared up in dry suits, life jackets, helmets, wet socks and mitts.

The run begins further up the Glenn Highway at Caribou Creek, where the guides explain the area, safety instructions and what to expect to see along the way. The Lionshead Run is similar to raft trips offered at the canyon outside of Denali National Park, but with more opportunities to really get wet.

There are opportunities to experience not only the fast, rushing water, but calmer waters when you can take time to enjoy the view of the Matanuska Glacier and the amazing rock formations surrounding you.

For more information, call 746-5753 or visit www.novalaska.com.

If rafting, glacier trekking and ice climbing weren't enough to do, another exciting alternative to experiencing Matanuska Glacier is via helicopter.

Last Frontier Air Ventures, located at Mile 81 Glenn Hwy., offers an unforgettable flightseeing opportunity in their Alouette III helicopter which seats up to seven.

This helicopter, from France, is primarily used for high altitude mountain and glacier rescues and also makes a wonderful aircraft for flightseeing with its large bubble-like windows. Last Frontier Air Ventures offers two types of helicopter tours -- a 30-minute tour providing a full view of the glacier starting at the face and working up to the mountains, and a 1-hour tour that also includes the College Fjords, Marcus-Baker, and Knik ice field and glacier.

For more information, call (877) 750-5701 or go to www.lastfrontierranch.com.

These are but a few activities available at Matanuska Glacier. Explore these options now -- the fall colors will be in full glory, the air crisp and the sky blue.

Call the Mat-Su Visitors Center for places to stay and eat while you're discovering your own back yard.