Privately Guided Mendenhall Glacier Guide Hike

Experience the Mendenhall Glacier   Up Close & Personal – With Your Own Private Guide!

Duration
Day Trip
8 -hours

Activity
Hiking

Highlight
Private Guide, Rainforest Hiking, Glacier Exploration

Price
Group size determines price.

Difficulty
Strenuous

Transportation
Meet at "C" Sign by the Mount Roberts Tramway

Experience The Trip

The Private Mendenhall Glacier Trek begins with a 4-mile hike through the Tongass National Forest. The largest temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass is dominated by towering Sitka spruce and hemlock trees. As you follow your private guide through the dense vegetation, around beaver ponds, and up rock scrambles, the trail becomes less defined as you head into wilderness.

As you emerge from the forest and approach the final ridge, the jagged face of the glacier bursts into view, its river of ice coursing behind it. We’ll embark on a guide hike to explore an array of glacier features along the edge. While hiking along the rocky moraine, you will get close up views of the glacier and learn about how quickly this glacier is receding. Explore an ice age wilderness from the edge of the glacier and look for stunning ice features such as crevasses, seracs, and other deep blue mysteries of this ancient river of ice. The glacier is in a state of constant change, which makes every day different. This tour does not get onto the glacier, but brings you to the glacier’s edge with front-row views.

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This hiking tour is strenuous and requires excellent balance and sure-footedness. While total elevation gain is only 800 feet, the terrain is steep, uneven, slippery, and rocky. We’ll cover 4 miles, each way, in approximately 2-2.5 hours. If your private group needs to go faster or slower, or spend more time taking the perfect photo, your private guide can customize this experience to meet your needs.

After an adventure on the glacier, we’ll hike back via the West Glacier Trail and provide transportation back to your pick-up location.

Privately guided glacier trek tours are limited to 12 people. If you would like to book a larger group, please inquire to make a special departure.

The Trip Itinerary

8 hours

30 Minutes

Pick up for Downtown Juneau

Van transportation to ABAK

30 Minutes

Gear outfitting & Orientation

Get to know your guide and gear!

Questions about gear sizing?

2 hours 15 minutes

Hike Approximately 4 miles to the Glacier

A fun jaunt through the temperate rainforest via the West Glacier Trail with your own private guide!

1-2 Hours

Hiking & Exploration

Get up close to the Mendenhall Glacier and explore all the features along the edge!

2 hours 15 minutes

Return Hike to the Trail Head

Don’t worry – it’s mostly downhill!

30 Minutes

Van Transport back to Pick-Up Location


Practical Info

Client Pickup Information

Located at the base of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, the C-Sign is ABAK’s primary downtown meeting location for cruise passengers and clients staying in the downtown area.

Clients arriving at AJ Dock:

Clients who dock at the AJ Dock within 30 minutes of the ABAK pick-up time will be picked up directly from AJ DOCK.

Clients staying Locally:

Clients can be picked up from any major hotel in the Mendenhall Valley.

Clients staying at major hotels in the Downtown area will meet at our Downtown meeting location.

ABAK is unable to provide pick-up in residential neighborhoods. Clients staying at private residences, Air BnB’s, VRBO’s, or have own transportation please contact our office for meeting location information at 907-364-2333 or info@beyondak.com.

downtown juneau dock c
This is the "C" sign. Right by the tram.

Price

2 people: From $400 per person

3-6 people: From $275 per person

7-12 people: From $250 per person

Group Size: Minimum of 2, Maximum of 12

Minimum Age:  8 years old

Clients must be able to hike for at least 6 hours/9 miles round-trip on steep, rocky, slippery, uneven terrain carrying a 10 lbs backpack, and provide their own hiking boots with adequate ankle support. 

Included In The Price

  • Professional guides
  • Roundtrip van transport
  • US Forest Service permits
  • Rain gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots and pants) and backpack
  • Hearty and healthy snacks
  • Souvenir water bottle (we strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to help minimize waste)
  • All safety gear including helmet and trekking poles if needed.

Not Included In Price

  • Boots! Clients must provide their own hiking boots for this trip.
  • Hot shower at the end of the day, but you can book your unique stay here.
  • Professional Photography
  • Gratuity for your Private Guide: If you feel your guide went Above and Beyond to facilitate an exceptional experience, a gratuity is a welcomed way to show your appreciation.

Important Notes

  • This trip operates in all weather conditions (barring unsafe conditions, to be determined by ABAK) – it is very important to dress to get wet.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Every participant must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk Form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the form are not permitted
  • Due to various fitness abilities and weather variables, we prefer clients not schedule other excursions directly before or after our trip. Please let us know if your clients have another excursion booked on the same day.
  • A rescue fee of $250 per client will be charged for any rescue based on the client’s inability to complete the trek due to undisclosed medical conditions/limitations or an insufficient level of physical fitness that significantly inhibits the group’s pace.
  • Due to inherent risk involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.
  • Clients must provide their own sturdy hiking boots for this trip.
  • Clients must be able to hike for at least 6 hours/9 miles round trip on steep, rocky, slippery, and uneven terrain carrying a 10 lbs backpack.

Departure Times:
Departure times available daily depending on your schedule.

Dates of Operation: May 1st – Sept. 30th, 2024

Group Size:
Minimum of 2, Maximum of 12

Minimum Age: 
8 years old. Children need to be in good enough physical condition to hike 9 miles roundtrip on their own.

Activity Level:
Challenging & Strenuous – Clients need to be in good physical shape and able to climb over rocks, slippery surfaces, and have no major mobility issues. No hiking experience necessary.

Information Needed:

  • Name of client(s)
  • Cell phone contact number of client
  • Desired trip date and departure time
  • Name of cruise ship or hotel
  • Clients’ ages, especially anyone under the age of 18
  • Rain gear (please specify male or female)
  • Any pertinent medical issues, allergies or dietary restrictions
  • Primary language spoken, if other than English
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