Prepare to come face to face with the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier on this ultimate Alaskan adventure. Traveling with a small group in a native-style canoe, your guide will help you navigate past icebergs, waterfalls, and steep cliffs once carved by ice. You will help paddle the canoe as close as possible on the expedition toward the face of the Glacier.
This small, intimate adventure begins by meeting your professional guide at the Mt.Robert's Tram building. You will enjoy a narrated scenic drive to a more remote part of the Tongass National Forest, where you will first lay eyes on the ever-changing Mendenhall Glacier. One of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in North America, the Mendenhall Glacier is just 12 miles from downtown Juneau but feels like a million miles away from the everyday. The 13-mile-long river of ice, which ends on the far side of Mendenhall Lake, is one of Alaska's shining gems. A half-mile wide with ice up to 1,800 feet deep, it's no surprise that Mendenhall is the most visited glacier in Alaska.
Gaze upon the other-worldly beauty and serenity of Mendenhall Lake from the seat of your canoe as you paddle across the lake. Keep an eye on the cliffs adorned with nests of Arctic terns, a giant waterfall, and wildlife while navigating past beautiful blue icebergs. You will come as close as possible to the face of the Mendenhall Glacier and be rewarded with front row views of the "ice falls", where miles of glacier ice flow steeply over the mountainside, and continue down to the lake in front of you. Your guide will steer the canoe to the best viewpoints of the glacier's towering ice seracs and blue crevasses. So make sure you bring your camera!
Group sizes are kept small and personal, with a maximum of 10 guests. You will be equipped with top quality gear including rain pants, rain jackets, waterproof boots, and everything else you will need to ensure your comfort and safety. Each guest is provided a dry bag filled with bottled water and snacks, to be used to store personal belongings while canoeing.
Important notice: This tour is canoe only and does not include hiking on a glacier. For a glacier tour experience, please view our Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour.
Included: Necessary rain gear and life jackets. Snacks and beverages.
Please note: Minimum age to participate is 12 years. Duration: 3.5-4 hours (Paddle time: 2 hours.)
Inclusions:
- Roundtrip transportation
- Gear/equipment: Rain jacket, rain pants, Xtratuf rain boots, paddling gloves, and a dry bag for personal items.
- Bottled water, snacks and hot beverage
Requirements:
- Minimum age: 12 years old
- Minimum weight: 90lbs
- Maximum wight: 240lbs
- Not recommended for guests with back, shoulder or hip problems
- Pregnant guests are not permitted on this tour
- Full use of limbs for up to 2 hours canoe paddling
- Signed liability waiver
Duration: 3.5-4 hours. Tour times below are approximate:
- 30 minutes narrated transport to glacier launch site
- 15 minutes equipment and safety briefing
- 2 hours+ canoe paddling
- 15 minutes equipment unload and hot beverage rest time
- 30 minutes transport back to port
Meeting Instructions:
- This tour meets in front of the Mt. Robert's Tramway building. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.
ADA Accessibility of Tour:
- This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible. This is an active tour which requires guests to get in and out of a canoe in the water as well as paddle for a duration of 2 hours, so full use of limbs is necessary.
Do I have to paddle?
Yes, we will be using a native-style canoe and everyone is expected to paddle along with guide.
How large is the canoe?
This tour is geared towards small, intimate groups. We will be using a 8 person, native-style canoe.
How close will we get to the glacier?
Our guides will bring you as close to the glacier that safe and accessible. The distance ranges depending on the weather as well as the group, but typically around 200 meters away.
Will I see any bears or wildlife on this tour?
Bald eagles, herons, shorebirds, arctic terns, mountain goats, porcupines are all common sights, but this is not a designated wildlife tour and nothing can be guaranteed.
Is it cold on the canoe?
This really depends on the weather. Typically the wind coming off the glacier causes it to be around 5-10 degrees cooler. We suggest you to be prepared for everything!
What should I wear on my canoe trip?
We provide everything you need to stay dry. Rain pants, rain jackets with hood, "Alaskan Sneakers" a.k.a Xtratuf rain boots, as well as paddling gloves. We suggest dressing in layers and according to the weather that day. Sunglasses if it is sunny and if you tend to get cold, please bring a hat/beanie as well as gloves.
May I bring a backpack?
Small backpacks are allowed on this tour. We provide dry bags that contain bottled water as well as snacks that may be used to store your personal items during the paddle.
Are there any physical requirements for this tour?
Minimum weight is 90lbs and maximum weight is 240lbs to fit into the required lifejacket. You must be able to get in and out of the canoe and full use of limbs. You must be able to paddle 2-2.5 hours on the canoe. We take frequent breaks to enjoy the surroundings and take photos.
May I take photos?
Yes, we encourage you to take photos. We take frequent breaks to enjoy the glacier, the waterfalls, as well as the beautiful Alaskan wilderness.
Want to learn more about our Mendenhall Glacier tours?
Check out our blog for more details on all of the Mendenhall Glacier tours we offer: https://alaskashoreexcursions.com/blog/mendenhall-glacier!
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