Brotherhood Bridge Fireweed Field

Field of fireweed with the Mendenhall Glacier in the background. Kara Davis (Atlas Obscura User)

This entry is a stub

Help improve Atlas Obscura by expanding Brotherhood Bridge Fireweed Field with additional information or photos.

Each year from July to August, the Mendenhall River greenbelt comes alive with an explosion of fireweed flowers. This meadow by the Brotherhood Bridge is filled with the tall, showy wildflowers, which blanket the land in magenta blossoms sometimes used to make brightly-colored syrup or jelly.

The Brotherhood Bridge was designed by Roy Peratrovich, Jr, who was a leader of the Alaska Native Brotherhood, to connect Glacier Highway across the Mendenhall River. Though originally built in 1965, the current bridge was completed in 2015.

Know Before You Go

Though the fireweed will typically peak around late-July and last until mid-August, this will vary year-to-year depending on weather conditions.

Heading north on Glacier Highway, turn right at Industrial Boulevard just after Brotherhood Bridge. The field is situated at the beginning of the Mendenhall River / Kaxdigoowu Heen Dei Trail.