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Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike

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    6 Hours Duration
    Description feature image 0
    From pick-up to drop-off
    Physical Fitness Required
    Description feature image 1
    For full-day hiking and glacier traverse
    Glacier Views
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    Incredible, up-close glacier viewing!
    Food Provided
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    Hearty snack pack and water

    Description

    Tour Update: This tour does not include trekking on the glacier. We will arrive at panoramic views of the glacier with distant views of the crevasses and icefall at the toe of the glacier.


    Do you consider yourself an adventurer? A lover of exciting journeys to stunning and remote destinations? If so, the Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike could be just the unique adventure you’re looking for! In many ways a parallel to the standard Mendenhall Glacier Hike, but reserved for your own private group, this highly involved and somewhat technical outing gives you the chance to view the dazzling world of crystal-blue glacier ice! Especially if you’re on the hunt for a highly customized experience, or if you want to make sure your group can travel at whatever pace best suits it, the Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike is, simply put, one of the absolutely premier excursions in Juneau Alaska.

    Your awesome adventure starts with convenient pick-up from either the cruise docks or the place of your choosing. Then it’s off for a stellar drive to the famed Mendenhall Valley, where you’ll head out alongside your expert guide toward the stunning panoramas of the glacier itself! Next, you’ll start up a fairly strenuous, but immensely beautiful trail toward the ice, passing around lovely Mendenhall Lake via an ancient temperate rainforest. Later, incredible scenery awaits you with views of massive crevasses, crystal-clear meltwater streams, and bright blue glacial pools. And because it’s an exclusive private tour, you get to decide what’s next! No matter what your glacial-viewing dream day consists of, the Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike has you covered! This popular and adventurous excursion has very limited availability. Make sure you book early!

    Note: Price per person varies as a function of group size.

    If you’re down for glacier-front views but would prefer a shorter hiking portion, perhaps you’d be interested in the Private Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Hike.


    What's Included

    Roundtrip Transportation
    Knowledgeable Guides
    Hearty Snacks & Water
    Rain Jacket & Pants, Backpack, Dry Bags
    Ice Trekking equipment: Helmet & Trekking Poles
    US Forest Service Permits
    Guide Gratuities
    Hiking Boots

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will the tour still operate if it's raining?
    Because much of SE Alaska is a rainforest, these Juneau tours do operate rain or shine. Rain jackets and pants are provided on this trip. If weather conditions are unsafe, the trip will be canceled and we will provide a refund (minus non-refundable fees).
    What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?
    We will try our best to work with you to reschedule the tour to a later time. If that is not a possibility or your ship doesn't make it into port, then you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable fees.
    What can I do to prepare physically for this trip?
    Cardiovascular training is a must. You will be hiking approximately 8 miles roundtrip for 7+ hours on uneven terrain. Cardiovascular training will increase your endurance making for a more pleasant experience on the trail. In addition, get yourself out on a hike and choose trails that are uneven. We oftentimes get people who are in good physical condition (i.e. train at the gym daily, run several times a week), but struggle on the uneven surface because they are used to exercising on flat ground, which does not require much balancing and much use of the small muscles in the legs and ankles.
    What about restroom facilities along the way?
    You'll have a chance at the gear base to use the restroom but after that we will be entering the great outdoors. We recommend all guests follow 'Leave No Trace Principles' and should the need arise, we request packing all trash from the trip including toilet paper. If this is of concern for you, we recommend bringing toilet paper and a ziploc bag for easy packing.
    Will we see/explore ice caves?
    No, this tour does not visit ice caves. Because the caves are dynamic and change rapidly, we do not guarantee their presence, and for safety reasons, we do not include them in our tours.

    Know Before You Book

    Minimum Age: 8 years old
    Due to continued glacial ice melt, trekking on the glacier is no longer an option. Guests will hike along the rocky moraines near the face of the glacier.
    This tour is rated as strenuous, guests must be in good shape. Includes about 9 miles of hiking (about 6 hrs roundtrip) on steep, rocky, wet, uneven terrain.
    Because this tour involves strenuous hiking, this is not a wheelchair accessible tour.
    This tour involves inherent risks, and for their safety, pregnant guests are not allowed on this tour.
    Clients must disclose information regarding pertinent medical conditions/history, allergies and any type of restriction or limitation that might introduce a higher degree of challenge on this trip.
    A rescue fee of $250 per client will be charged for any rescue based on the client’s inability to complete the tour due to undisclosed medical conditions/limitations or an insufficient level of physical fitness that significantly inhibits the group’s pace. Clients that require a rescue due to an injury incurred on the trek will not be charged rescue fees, nor will those who have disclosed information regarding medical conditions (and have been approved to participate) prior to the trip date.
    Cancel up to 14-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 14-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.

    Quick Facts

    City
    Juneau

    Duration
    8h 00min

    Group of 2 Guests Rate
    $462

    Group of 3-6 Guests Rate
    $321

    Group of 7-12 Guests Rate
    $289


    Itinerary • 8h 00min • 5 activities

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    Your guides will pick you up at Mount Roberts Tramway, right by the cruise docks, or at several local hotels, to transport you to the trailhead for outfitting.

    Duration
    1 hour
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    Hike about 4-5 miles under soaring glacially carved peaks and alongside Mendenhall Lake as your journey towards the receding glacier.

    Duration
    2 hours
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    When you reach the glacier's edge, you'll explore the ice features that have formed on the edge and take in the massive river of ice.

    Duration
    2 hours
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    You'll return on the same trail you took to reach the glacier, while your guide continues to educate you about the local flora, fauna, and geography.

    Duration
    2 hours 30 minutes
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    After returning your gear, your guides will return you to your hotel or Mount Roberts Tramway, where you can check out downtown or hop back on your cruise ship.

    Duration
    30 minutes

    Customer Reviews 53

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    Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek

    Kendall Y Overkamp
    July 2
    We had an amazing time on our private Mendenhall Glacier trek. Peter was a wonderful guide with so much information ...

    Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek

    Zoila Mori
    August 10
    Peter is awesome. He is very knowledgeable and conscientious about who he's guiding. He personalized our trek according to our ...

    Amazing Experience

    Sam Chan
    August 16
    Adam and Mike were amazing guides. They made sure all 12 of us (ages 11-57) had a great time. On ...
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    Amazing!!

    Tara Jones
    June 7
    Our guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. I am scared of heights, and they coached me up the rock face. ...

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    Rodney Prater
    June 26
    I've been on several treks around the world. Matt was one the best guides I've ever worked with. Excellent knowledge ...

    Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek

    Jennifer Thompson
    August 1
    We loved our private Mendenhall Glacier Trek. Our family of 3 (youngest 11) was paired with Ian as our guide. ...