Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike

Love Hiking? This one is for you!

Duration
Day Trip
8-Hours

Activity
Hiking

Highlight
Rainforest hiking, glacier edge exploration

Price
$199 per person + tax

Difficulty
Strenuous

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

Experience The Trip

The Mendenhall Glacier Tour begins with a 4-mile hike through the Tongass National Forest – the largest temperate rainforest in the world, dominated by towering Sitka Spruce and Hemlock Trees. As you follow your guide through the dense vegetation, around beaver ponds, and up rock scrambles, the wilderness trail becomes less defined.

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 guided trek to explore an array of glacial 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, and features come and go which makes every day different. This tour does not get onto the glacier, it brings you to the edge of the glacier with front-row views of it.  

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 you require a faster or slower place, please consider booking the Privately Guided Mendenhall Glacier Trek.

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

The Trip Itinerary

8 Hour Trip

30 minutes

Pick up from Downtown Juneau

Van transportation to ABAK

30 minutes

Gear Outfitting and Orientation

Get to know your guide and gear!
Questions about the gear sizing?

2 hours 15 minutes

Hike approximately 4 miles to the Glacier

A fun jaunt through temperate rainforest via the West Glacier Trail

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 Trailhead

Don’t worry, it’s mostly downhill!

30 minutes

Return Van Transport


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

$199.00 + 5% sales tax = $208.95 per person

Group Size: Minimum of 4, Maximum of 12

Minimum Age: 10

Clients must be able to hike for at least 6 hours/9 miles round-trip on steep, rocky, slippery, uneven terrain carrying a 10 lb 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 and pants) and backpack
  • Hearty, healthy snack & bottled water.
  • 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 stay with us.
  • Professional Photography
  • Gratuity for your guide: If you feel that your guide went Above and Beyond to facilitate an exceptional experience, a gratuity is a welcomed way to show your appreciation.

Departure Times: Please click on the Book Your Trip tab to find updated departures times.

Dates of Operation: May 1st – September 30th, 2023

Group Size: Minimum of 2, Maximum of 12

Minimum Age: 10 years old. Families with children under 10 need to book a privately guided trip, for which the minimum age is 8. We do not permit clients to carry their infants/toddlers due to safety concerns.

Activity Level: Challenging & Strenuous – Participants 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.

Documentation Needed

  • Name of each client
  • 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 & shoe sizes (please specify male or female)
  • Any pertinent medical issues, allergies or dietary restrictions
  • Primary language spoken, if other than English
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