Homepage / Tours / Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike

Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike

6 Hours Duration

From pick-up to drop-off

Physical Fitness Required

For full-day hiking and glacier traverse

Glacier Views

Incredible, up-close glacier viewing!

Food Provided

Hearty snack pack and water

Description

Tour Update: This tour does not include trekking on the glacier. We will arrive at panoramic views of the glacier with distant views of the crevasses and icefall at the toe of the glacier.

Not your everyday adventure, the Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike is among the most exclusive and in-depth excursions in Juneau Alaska. Similar to the standard Mendenhall Glacier Hike but with a guide leading your own private party, this involved and exciting outing allows you to explore a stunning world of crystal blue ice up-close and personal. Conditions permitting, it even features the opportunity to explore the otherworldly Mendenhall Glacier ice formations! Particularly if you’re looking to customize the pace or content of your glacier experience, the Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike is quite simply one of the premier excursions in Juneau Alaska.

Your epic adventure begins with pick-up from the cruise docks or the place of your choosing, followed by a lovely drive to the famed Mendenhall Valley. Then it’s time to suit up with your trekking gear and, guided by your personal expert guide, head out toward the glacier itself! You’ll head up a scenic (and fairly strenuous!) trail toward the ice, skirting Mendenhall Lake through stunning temperate rainforest. Thanks to this tour’s private nature, you get to decide what’s next! On the hunt for even more incredible views of Mendenhall Glacier ice formations? Your guide will lead the way! Whatever your glacier dream entails, the Private Mendenhall Glacier Hike has you covered! As it’s of the most exclusive excursions in Juneau Alaska, though, this trip has very limited spaces, so book early to guarantee your spot! Note: Price per person varies depending on group size. See the Additional Information tab for pricing specifics.

For stunning glacier-front views and less hiking, you might consider the Private Mendenhall Glacier Paddle & Hike. To learn more about glacier caves, check out this article on Mendenhall Glacier ice caves, part of our Nature & History series.

What's Included

Roundtrip Transportation

Knowledgeable Guides

Hearty Snacks & Water

Rain Jacket & Pants, Backpack, Dry Bags

Ice Trekking equipment: Helmet & Trekking Poles

US Forest Service Permits

Guide Gratuities

Hiking Boots

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the tour still operate if it's raining?

Because much of SE Alaska is a rainforest, these Juneau tours do operate rain or shine. Rain jackets and pants are provided on this trip. If weather conditions are unsafe, the trip will be canceled and we will provide a refund (minus non-refundable fees).

What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?

We will try our best to work with you to reschedule the tour to a later time. If that is not a possibility or your ship doesn't make it into port, then you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable fees.

What can I do to prepare physically for this trip?

Cardiovascular training is a must. You will be hiking approximately 8 miles roundtrip for 7+ hours on uneven terrain. Cardiovascular training will increase your endurance making for a more pleasant experience on the trail. In addition, get yourself out on a hike and choose trails that are uneven. We oftentimes get people who are in good physical condition (i.e. train at the gym daily, run several times a week), but struggle on the uneven surface because they are used to exercising on flat ground, which does not require much balancing and much use of the small muscles in the legs and ankles.

What about restroom facilities along the way?

You'll have a chance at the gear base to use the restroom but after that we will be entering the great outdoors. We recommend all guests follow 'Leave No Trace Principles' and should the need arise, we request packing all trash from the trip including toilet paper. If this is of concern for you, we recommend bringing toilet paper and a ziploc bag for easy packing.

Will we see/explore ice caves?

No, this tour does not visit ice caves. Because the caves are dynamic and change rapidly, we do not guarantee their presence, and for safety reasons, we do not include them in our tours.

Know Before You Book

Minimum Age: 8 years old

Due to continued glacial ice melt, trekking on the glacier is no longer an option. Guests will hike along the rocky moraines near the face of the glacier.

This tour is rated as strenuous, guests must be in good shape. Includes about 9 miles of hiking (about 6 hrs roundtrip) on steep, rocky, wet, uneven terrain.

Because this tour involves strenuous hiking, this is not a wheelchair accessible tour.

This tour involves inherent risks, and for their safety, pregnant guests are not allowed on this tour.

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.

A rescue fee of $250 per client will be charged for any rescue based on the client’s inability to complete the tour due to undisclosed medical conditions/limitations or an insufficient level of physical fitness that significantly inhibits the group’s pace. Clients that require a rescue due to an injury incurred on the trek will not be charged rescue fees, nor will those who have disclosed information regarding medical conditions (and have been approved to participate) prior to the trip date.

Cancel up to 14-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 14-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.

Quick Facts

City

Juneau

Itinerary • 8h 00min • 5 activities

Your guides will pick you up at Mount Roberts Tramway, right by the cruise docks, or at several local hotels, to transport you to the trailhead for outfitting.

Duration

1 hour

Hike about 4-5 miles under soaring glacially carved peaks and alongside Mendenhall Lake as your journey towards the receding glacier.

Duration

2 hours

When you reach the glacier's edge, you'll explore the ice features that have formed on the edge and take in the massive river of ice.

Duration

2 hours

You'll return on the same trail you took to reach the glacier, while your guide continues to educate you about the local flora, fauna, and geography.

Duration

2 hours 30 minutes

After returning your gear, your guides will return you to your hotel or Mount Roberts Tramway, where you can check out downtown or hop back on your cruise ship.

Duration

30 minutes