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Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike

5 (186)

Juneau, US

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Experience the thrill of paddling and hiking your way to the famous Mendenhall Glacier on this 6-hour adventure. Get up close and personal with the magnificent glacier as you paddle across Mendenhall Lake, passing Nugget Falls along the way. Explore the edge of the receding glacier, where you'll find stunning ice formations, tunnels, and tubes that create beautiful blue colors. Walk safely from the bedrock and discover the unique moon-like landscape recently exposed by the receding glacier. Marvel at the crevasses filled with deep blue color and the icefall at the toe of the glacier. Keep your eyes open for freshly calved icebergs and feel the cool breeze generated by the ice. This tour does not include trekking on the glacier, but every day offers a different and unforgettable experience. Don't miss the chance to encounter the natural wonders of the Mendenhall Glacier.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
5 hours 30 minutes
Suitable for 1-12 Participants
Small Group Tour
Guided Experience

Highlights

Up close and personal with Mendenhall Glacier
Paddling across the cool waters of Mendenhall Lake
Exploring the unique moon-like landscape of bedrock
Witnessing freshly calved icebergs and ice formations
Experiencing the constantly changing features of the glacier

Included

Bottled water
Snacks
National park fees
Professional guide
All necessary paddling equipment
Paddling and safety instructions
Rain gear and rubber boots

Not included

Gratuities

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

The Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike is an exhilarating adventure that allows you to immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. This sought-after experience takes place at Mendenhall Lake, where you will embark on a journey filled with awe-inspiring sights and unforgettable moments.

What to expect?

During this adventure, you can anticipate witnessing the stunning Arctic tern nesting grounds and the cascading Nugget Falls as you glide past in your spacious canoe. As you approach the Mendenhall Glacier, keep your eyes peeled for freshly calved icebergs, creating a magical atmosphere. Once you reach the glacier, you will have the opportunity to explore the rocky terrain on foot, gaining intimate views of the glacier and learning about its rapid recession. Marvel at the ice features, including crevasses and the ice fall at the toe of the glacier, as you delve into this ancient ice age wilderness. With the glacier constantly changing, each day offers a unique and awe-inspiring experience.

Who is this for?

This adventure is perfect for nature enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and anyone seeking a truly immersive and unforgettable experience in the heart of Alaska. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, the Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike will leave you with lifelong memories and a deep appreciation for the natural wonders of the world.

Why book this?

The Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to witness the beauty and grandeur of the Mendenhall Glacier up close. With front-row views of the glacier, you'll be able to truly appreciate its magnificent size and intricate ice features. The combination of canoeing and hiking allows you to experience the glacier from different perspectives, providing a comprehensive and immersive adventure. Not only will you be surrounded by stunning landscapes, but you'll also have the chance to learn about the glacier's rapid recession and the impact of climate change on this fragile ecosystem. With knowledgeable guides by your side, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the natural forces at play and the importance of preserving these extraordinary environments for future generations.

Good to know

This tour includes all necessary paddling equipment, safety instructions, and rain gear to ensure your comfort during the adventure. Bottled water and a snack are also provided to keep you energized throughout the journey. Please note that gratuities are not included in the package.

Reviews

Travelers who have experienced the Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike have raved about the breathtaking views and the unique perspective it offers on the glacier. They describe the experience as awe-inspiring and highly educational, with guides who are knowledgeable and passionate about the environment. Many reviewers highlight the beauty of the Arctic tern nesting grounds and the thrill of paddling past freshly calved icebergs. Overall, the reviews reflect a high level of satisfaction and a deep appreciation for the natural wonders encountered during this adventure.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

Meeting point & End point

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.

490 S Franklin St, 490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, US

Your Itinerary

W Glacier Trail

Above & Beyond Alaska

Mendenhall Glacier

Additional information

Not recommended for participants with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant participants
Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
Participants should have a high level of physical fitness
Age minimum of 12 years and older only
Please note, this tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation.
Maximum weight 250 pounds
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.
All clients will be outfitted in 8 person or 12 person canoes, with 1 to 2 guides depending on the group size.
All clients must be in physically fit condition and capable of paddling 5-6 miles and hiking about 2 miles roundtrip. All clients must know how to swim.
Due to the inherent risks involved, we do not permit pregnant guests to participant.
With group departures we try to maximize our trip capacity and subsequently may need to alter the time to accommodate additional customers. If your trip's departure time changes we will notify you as soon as possible.
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
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.
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.
Maximum weight is 250 lbs per person

Reviews

(186)

5 (186)

Bhavik

It was an awesome experience and must do if you want to see the beauty of glacier in close. Views during canoeing were totally worth it . It was well organised and we had lot of fun and memories

TexasRascal

Dan and Alex were exceptional guides. The day we went temps were in the upper 30s with intermittent rain. ABAK, the tour operator, supplied all the gear needed. They’ll give you rain suit, boots, life vest, and waterproof bag for storing personal items. You get a short canoeing lesson and safety briefing then it’s into the lake. The paddle is mildly strenuous as you’ll be paddling a couple miles but all the effort is worth it. Great trip with a great couple of guides.

Richard_D

Two great guides pushed and mush'd us. They were very informative on both the water and for the short hike. Their office was friendly and super responsive.

Julia2133

Our guides and the tour were amazing! Super knowledgeable and fun. I was impressed by how well run the trip was and how well prepped they were with gear and snacks for us. Would definitely recommend to others.

jrosebud10

This was an excellent experience with a fantastic crew! Guides were super knowledgeable (and funny to boot). Ben and Chris made everyone feel comfortable in the canoe and just had so much knowledge of the glacier. We were really lucky in that we also saw a couple of bald eagles along the way. It's a little sad to see how much the glacier has receded over time but it is still well worth going there and having your mind blown by how much ice there really is. Do the paddling tour -- it's taxing on the arms but the views and how close up you get to the glacier itself is so worth it! Thanks for a fantastic experience!

Gloria R

A great way to spend a day in Juneau. Noah and Keanu (spelling - sorry!) were fantastic guides. They are very knowledgeable about the history of the area, the geology and fauna and kept us all paddling along. You will need to paddle! Not kidding. It’s about an hour each way. So worth it though as the glacier is beautiful and the lake is peaceful. Not really a hike- we walked a bit to get closer to the glacier, but it’s really about the canoeing. The trip is very well organized. It was a bit chilly and there was rain on and off, so layer accordingly.

Renee_T

This is not a 4-6 hour trip. The actual activity is maybe 3 hours at best. The other times are waiting for people to arrive, fitting gears (less than 10 minutes). We rode the van to the west glacier trail head. The canoeing was fun. About 1 hrs to the glacier. We tested and bathroom break (behind rocks). Because of receding glacier, the viewing from a far is about 20-30 minutes. Then we row back. That's about 30-40 minutes. I was instructed to be at the pick up point around 0800. I got back from the trip, return gear, use the bathroom and in van to the drop off point by 1345. It is closer view of glacier than looking at it from the visitor center. There is significantly less carbon foot print than those helicopter,/ sea plane tour. But it didn't add much for 300+ than the view with binocularat the visitor center. There is NO longer trek on the Mendenhall glacier. Would I recommend it to my family. No at this time when there is significant receding of glacier. The view not that much from the visitor center

Jean A

Kimball Taylor was an excellent guide and gave us an experience to remember! The pick up was timely and despite the rainy weather we were able to get really close to the Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls

edwarddb2015

Top notch company. First class experience from pickup, to outfitting (rain gear), to the quality of the canoe. The unfortunate thing is that there really is no trek anymore. The glacier has receded significantly over the past year. Just a year ago apparently you could land on the beach and walk right onto the glacier. Now the glacier is hundreds of yards away and only there for a photo op. So the trek was all of maybe a 100 yr walk. If you want to trek on a glacier, you need to book a tour with a helicopter landing.

Bellasmommbsc

Outstanding Experience! Above and Beyond Alaska were wonderful, professional and helpful. Our tour of the glacier was amazing and our Guide Cash was fun, knowledgeable, and passionate in giving us the history of the glacier and the area. This tour was the highlight of our trip to Alaska. We highly recommend Above and Beyond Alaska and our guide Cash.

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2024-06-26 14:00