Description
Tour Update: This trip will spend time exploring the glacier up close and hiking around the edges of it safely from the bedrock. For safety reasons, this tour no longer takes guests on the glacier.
While many tours include glacier views from a distance, this one actually lets you step right up to the Mendenhall Glacier and experience this frozen world first-hand. Paddle across the lake with your professional guide and approach the massive face of Mendenhall Glacier before leaving the canoe behind for a guided hike. Starting in 2016, permits began allowing guided trips like this up to Mendenhall, so don't miss this opportunity to experience the glacier up close and personal!
Pick-up from the cruise docks and many Juneau hotels is included and from there a short ride over to Mendenhall Lake allows time to get properly fitted for gear and equipment. Cast off, following along while the guide paints an informative backdrop of the ancient geological formations comprising your view. Calmly coast among floating icebergs and glide along shorelines, keeping your eyes peeled for river otters, porcupines, beavers, bald eagles and even black bear all known to inhabit this area.
The paddle portion culminates at the glacier's edge where you'll step on land and continue this adventure by foot. A 1-2 hour hike takes you up to the glacier to explore the breakthtaking landscape. All the while, your guide is providing insights into the area and with a maximum of 6 guests per guide, you'll enjoy the intimacy of this smaller tour. Downtown Juneau will seem like a world away. Eventually, return to the canoe and retrace the journey, and enjoy all that this multi-sport activity has to offer. Experience Alaska on a self-propelled wilderness excursion leaving crowds and motors behind.
For the same glacier experience but with a hike around the lake instead of canoeing across it, check out the Mendenhall Glacier Hike.
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the trip still operate if it is raining?
What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?
What about restroom facilities along the way?
How many guests can attend on this tour?
Will we see/explore ice caves?
Know Before You Book
Quick Facts
Itinerary • 5h 30min • 7 activities
Your guides will pick you up from Mount Roberts Tramway, just a short walk from the cruise docks, for transfer to the warehouse.
At the warehouse, you'll receive a rain jacket & pants, rubber boots, a waterproof backpack, dry bags, & paddling gear before being taken over to Mendenhall lake.
Hopping in the canoe with your guide, you'll paddle for an hour to reach the opposite shore, going by icebergs and the face of the glacier.
Upon reaching the opposite shore, you will hike up to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier to explore the edges & fascinating ice formations of the massive river of ice.
After your time at the glacier, you will hike back down to the canoes to paddle your way back across the lake to the launch site.
You'll be taken back to the warehouse to return your gear & collect anything you may have left behind during your tour.
At the end of your tour, you'll hop back in the vans for a drive back to Mount Roberts Tramway, where you can take a short walk to your cruise dock or explore downtown.