Tours

Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike

Juneau, USAby Above and Beyond Alaska

5.5 hours
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Up to 12 travelers
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Guide: English

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Overview

The Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike is our most sought-after adventure. Your journey begins at the Mendenhall Lake, where a canoe guide will provide paddle instruction. Equipped with gear, board your spacious canoe and set course for the Mendenhall Glacier. Witness Arctic tern nesting grounds and the cascading Nugget Falls as you glide past, with stunning views of the glacier in the distance. As the glacier draws near, keep your eyes peeled for freshly calved icebergs. Exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain, gaining intimate views of the glacier and learn about its rapid recession. Explore this ancient ice age wilderness and marvel at its ice features, including crevasses, ice fall at the toe of the glacier, and other deep blue mysteries. Constantly changing, the glacier offers a unique experience each day. This tour does not venture onto the glacier, but delivers front-row views. After immersing yourself at the glacier, board the canoes and paddle back across Mendenhall Lake.

What's included

National Park fees
Professional guide
Bottled water
Snacks
All necessary paddling equipment
Local taxes
Rain gear and rubber boots

Gratuities

Itinerary

1
Above & Beyond Alaska
1 hour
Guests will be transported from pick up location to gear warehouse. At the warehouse is the gear fitting, orientation, and chance to use restrooms.
2
Mendenhall Glacier
3.5 hours
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. Once you round the rock peninsula, the face of the glacier confronts. Blocks of ice stand tall, waiting for the right moment to calve into the waters. Exit the canoes and hike the rocky terrain, gaining intimate views of the glacier and learn about its rapid recession.
3
West Glacier Trailhead
1 hour
De-gear and return transport back to the main office, followed by transport back to meeting location.

Meeting and pickup

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.

End point

Good to know

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Age minimum of 12 years or older only
This tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation

Show all 17

Maximum weight 250 pounds
All clients will be outfitted in 8 person or 12 person canoes, with 1 to 2 guides depending on the group size.
All clients must be in physically fit condition and capable of paddling 5-6 miles and hiking about 2 miles roundtrip. All clients must know how to swim.
With group departures we try to maximize our trip capacity and subsequently may need to alter the time to accommodate additional customers. If your trip's departure time changes we will notify you as soon as possible.
Glacier Access and feature exploration: The Mendenhall Glacier is receding daily. Because the glacier is in a state of constant change, not all features may be present or accessible. We will explore the edges of the glacier safely from the bedrock. This tour does not include trekking on the glacier.
A specific amount of time exploring the edge of the glacier cannot be guaranteed. The amount of time at the glacier is dependent on the group's pace and weather conditions.
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.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY/ASSUMPTION OF RISK FORM: Every participant on the trip must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the waiver are not permitted.
Due to the inherent risks involved, we do not permit pregnant guests to participant.
You must include the following in the comments section when booking: raingear & shoe sizes for each passenger, (for adult men and women, S-XXL and youth, S-L) and any pertinent medical information. Smallest shoe size that can be accommodated is Youth 2 and largest is Adult 14.
Maximum weight limit is 250 lbs per person

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Juneau, USA

1.3 hours

1.3 hoursFree cancellation

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