Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Trek
6 hours
Juneau, USA
About this activity
Pull on your boots, and step into the cool waters of the peaceful Mendenhall Lake as you stare at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier in front of you. During this tour, you will be guided on a canoe paddle across a lake fed by the glacier melt. Your paddle dips into the water as you make your way past ice bergs, freshly calved off the glacier, the famous Nugget Falls, and beautiful mountain peak on every side.
Once you round the rock peninsula, the face of the glacier confronts you like a giant. Arctic
terns circle overhead, fighting off intruding Bald Eagles. Mountain goats follow the retreating snow line, slowly making their way up looking for fresh greens. It’s truly classic scene of
Alaskan beauty.
Once you make landfall you will hike a short distance across rocky terrain, and to the edge of the glacier which is in constant change with features that disappear and reappear over the course of the season. Your guide will take you on a tour of the glacier's accessible features
along the edge, which may include exploring the other worldliness of an ice cave, hiking by glacier blue conduits and ice tubes, or peering into the deep blue well of a moulin.
Full description
Experience the famous Mendenhall Glacier up close and personal during this 6 hour adventure which includes paddling and glacier exploration. Paddle up to the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, over Mendenhall Lake, and past Nugget Falls to experience glacier exploration along the edge of the glacier.
Accessing ice caves, moulins, or any other glacial feature is not guaranteed: The Mendenhall Glacier features are in constant change. Your guide will assess each available feature prior to accessing to determine if it’s safe to explore. The Mendenhall Glacier is receding on a daily basis and due to this we are seeing significant changes to the surface of the glacier. There are very limited safe areas to access and explore on the ice with crampons. Safety is our number one priority and we can not guarantee every trip will hike on the glacier. The edge of the glacier has some of the most stunning features; caves, tunnels, tubes, and crevasses which create those beautiful blue colors.
Included / Excluded
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Professional guide
- All necessary paddling and glacier equipment
- Rain gear and rubber boots
- National Park fees
- Paddling and safety instructions
- Gratuities
Meeting point
Traveler pickup is offered.<br>The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers. Clients staying at major hotels in the Mendenhall Valley may be picked up directly from their hotel. Clients with their own transportation need to contact our office to arrange a meeting location.<br>490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.<br>Hotel pickup is offered. View the hotel list on our checkout page to see if yours is included among the pickup points.
Important information
Know before you book
- Duration: 6h
- Mobile tickets accepted
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
If you cancel between 8 and 14 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
Not wheelchair accessible
Age minimum of 12 years and older only
Safety harnesses fit up to 42 inch waist size and 28" inch leg size. Not able to accommodate larger waist/leg sizes. Max weight is 250 lbs per person.
You must include the following in the comments section when booking: rain gear & shoe sizes for each passenger, (for adult men and women, S-XXL and youth, S-L) and any pertinent medical information
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship's name
At time of booking, clients staying locally must provide the name of their place of lodging
At the time of booking, clients must provide the following for each participant: name, age, height/weight, rain gear and shoe size, and any pertinent information regarding medical issues (or history) and allergies. Smallest shoe size that can be accommodated is Youth 2 and largest is Adult 14.
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
All participants must be physically capable of paddling 5-6 miles round-trip and hiking/trekking approx. 2 miles round-trip
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
All participants are required to sign a waiver before beginning the trip
Accessing ice caves, moulins, or any other glacial feature is not guaranteed: Due to the dynamic nature of the Mendenhall Glacier features are in constant change. Your guide will assess each available feature prior to accessing to determine if it’s safe to explore. The Mendenhall Glacier is receding on a daily basis and due to this we are seeing significant changes to the surface of the glacier. There are very limited safe areas to access and explore on the ice with crampons. Safety is our number one priority and we can not guarantee every trip will hike on the glacier. We assess conditions day to day. The edge of the glacier has some of the most stunning features; caves, tunnels, tubes, and crevasses which create those beautiful blue colors.
Maximum weight is 250 lbs per person
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Age minimum of 12 years and older only
Safety harnesses fit up to 42 inch waist size and 28" inch leg size. Not able to accommodate larger waist/leg sizes. Max weight is 250 lbs per person.
You must include the following in the comments section when booking: rain gear & shoe sizes for each passenger, (for adult men and women, S-XXL and youth, S-L) and any pertinent medical information
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide their ship's name
At time of booking, clients staying locally must provide the name of their place of lodging
At the time of booking, clients must provide the following for each participant: name, age, height/weight, rain gear and shoe size, and any pertinent information regarding medical issues (or history) and allergies. Smallest shoe size that can be accommodated is Youth 2 and largest is Adult 14.
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
All participants must be physically capable of paddling 5-6 miles round-trip and hiking/trekking approx. 2 miles round-trip
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
All participants are required to sign a waiver before beginning the trip
Accessing ice caves, moulins, or any other glacial feature is not guaranteed: Due to the dynamic nature of the Mendenhall Glacier features are in constant change. Your guide will assess each available feature prior to accessing to determine if it’s safe to explore. The Mendenhall Glacier is receding on a daily basis and due to this we are seeing significant changes to the surface of the glacier. There are very limited safe areas to access and explore on the ice with crampons. Safety is our number one priority and we can not guarantee every trip will hike on the glacier. We assess conditions day to day. The edge of the glacier has some of the most stunning features; caves, tunnels, tubes, and crevasses which create those beautiful blue colors.
Maximum weight is 250 lbs per person
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers