Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike

4.9 (72 reviews) 6 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

72 reviews

4.9

Mendenhall Glacier Hike — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience the Mendenhall Glacier Guide Hike, a thrilling 6-7 mile adventure! Your journey begins with a 3-mile trek through the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest. Your experienced guide will lead you through this wilderness, winding past beaver ponds and scrambling up exposed glacial terrain, where the trail fades into the wild.

Upon emerging from the forest and reaching the final ridge, you'll be greeted by the breathtaking view of the Mendenhall Glacier's jagged facade and its ice river. Here, we savor panoramic views of the glacier, indulge in hearty snacks, and capture awe-inspiring photos. Gaze upon the glacier's deep blue crevasses, cascading icefall, surrounding mountains and Nugget Falls.

This hiking tour is not for the faint of heart; it demands exceptional balance and sure-footedness. The trail includes 800 feet of elevation gain, through rocky, uneven, and slippery terrain. It's a memorable journey that promises unforgettable views.

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At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English
Operated by: Above and Beyond Alaska

Ages: Adults (10–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: Professional guide
Included: Hearty snack
Included: Forest Service Permits
Included: Backpack, rain jacket and pants -- please advise supplier of sizing

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Goldbelt Tram

45 min

Pick up at "C" Sign at the base of the Mount Roberts Tramway and van transport to main office for gear orientation and outfitting. Once outfitting is complete, guests will be transported to the West Glacier Trailhead.
West Glacier Trailhead

2 hours

Hiking to the glacier begins with 3.5 miles through towering Sitka spruce and hemlock in the largest temperate rainforest in the world.
Mendenhall Glacier

30 min Admission included

Viewpoint, photography and snacks: enjoy the panoramic views of the Mendenhall Glacier!
West Glacier Trailhead

2 hours

Return 3.5 mile hike back through the Tongass National Forest.
Goldbelt Tram

45 min

Drop off back downtown. Thanks for joining!

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

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.

End point

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.

Pickup points

Aspen Suites Hotel Juneau
The Waterfront On Glacier
Best Western Grandma's Feather Bed
Frontier Suites Airport Hotel
Super 8 By Wyndham Juneau
Travelodge by Wyndham Juneau
Best Western Country Lane Inn
Aspen Suites Hotel Anchorage Downtown

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.

Using your ticket

Upon booking, please contact Above and Beyond Alaska at least 72 hours ahead of time at +1 907 364 2333 with the following information for all passengers:
all participants names
raingear & shoe sizes (for adult men and women, S-XXL and youth, S-L)
ages
height & weight
any pertinent info re: medical conditions, allergies or dietary restrictions
Visiting specific features such as ice caves, moulins, etc. cannot be guaranteed due to the constantly changing nature of the Mendenhall glacier. Your guide will assess the hazards the day of the trip and determine if a particular area is safe enough to trek upon or enter

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

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
Minimum age is 10 years. For families with children between 8-9, we can customize a private trip.
Please note, this tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation.
All clients must be in good enough shape, conditioned and capable of hiking up to 4 hours, covering about 7 miles roundtrip
Clients need to wear sturdy hiking boots that provide good ankle support while hiking on uneven, rocky terrain . All clients will need to hike with a backpack the entire way on this trip.
Due to the inherent risks involved, we do not permit pregnant guests to participant.
This tour does not include trekking on the glacier or exploring around the glacier's edge, but will get groups to the glacier view vista.
A specific amount of time spent at the glacier viewing area cannot be guaranteed. The amount time is dependent on the group's pace and weather conditions.
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.
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.