Juneau Shore Excursion: Private Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike
Embark on a private guided hike through the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest. Your 4-mile journey begins hiking past towering Sitka spruce and hemlock trees. Ascend the trail to encounter rugged wilderness with steep terrain, rock scrambles, and undefined paths. Emerging from the forest, you behold the Mendenhall Glacier. Your guide leads a hike along the rocky moraine, revealing the glacier up close. Explore this ancient ice age wilderness from the glacier's edge. This exploration allows you to observe ice features such as crevasses, ice fall at the toe of the glacier, and deep blue depths of this river of ice. The glacier is constantly changing, making each day a unique adventure. While this tour does not trek on the glacier, it brings you to the edge, where you can enjoy front-row views. Your private guide can tailor this strenuous hike to your group's needs, whether you want to go faster, slower, or spend more time in the stunning scenery.
About this activity
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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.
Additional Information
- 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
- A maximum of 12 people per booking
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- All clients must be in good enough shape, conditioned and capable of hiking up to 6-6.5 hours, covering about 9 miles roundtrip.
- Cruise-ship passengers must provide hotel or ship name at time of booking
- Minimum age is 8 years
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clients need to wear sturdy hiking boots that provide good ankle support while hiking on uneven, rocky terrain & trekking on the glacier. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Includes
- Bottled Water
- Professional, Private Guide
- Forest Service Permits
- Backpack, rain jacket and pants -- please advise supplier of sizing
- Hearty Snack
Special Instructions