Tour Details

Private Glacier Trek in Juneau

Are you looking for an advanced trek but march at a different pace? This guided private tour to the Mendenhall Glacier is perfect for those looking to do it their way!

Set out with your private guide on this exclusive Juneau exploration. After departing the pier, you'll be driven for approximately 30 minutes to the Mendenhall Valley and the trailhead. After a 30-minute check-in and gear orientation, you will begin an approximately 3-hour hike over a 4-mile trail. The hike is mostly uphill, through the rainforest along Mendenhall Lake. The first mile of the trail is well-maintained and goes through the forests with a few switchbacks. The remaining three miles of the trail are distinct from the beaten path and offer loose gravel, bedrock, and rock scrambling on steep sections. It's important to have sturdy hiking boots that provide good ankle support for hiking on rocky terrain. For an average fit group, it takes approximately two hours to hike to the glacier. The vertical elevation gain's about 800 feet. It's all worth it when you climb the final ridge to find the jagged face of the glacier bursting into view with its river of ice coursing behind it.

Once you reach the terminus, you'll encounter close-up views of the many different features of the glacier. This may include streams, crevasses, and unique glacial formations. Glaciers are ever-changing landscapes. The scheduled sights will be confirmed on the day of the tour. The sights are confirmed based on weather conditions, glacial conditions, and the safety of our guests. The Mendenhall Glacier is receding at a fast pace and due to this, we are seeing drastic changes to the surface of the glacier. For this reason, it is not safe to walk on the glacier. The amount of time at the glacier is dependent on the groups' pace and weather conditions for the day.

Towards the end of the trek, you will return to the starting point of the trail.

Please Note: Guests must be in good shape and able to hike approximately 9 miles round trip for 8 hours in a challenging environment. It's important to wear sensible hiking shoes or boots, not sneakers, that provide good ankle support for trekking on rocky terrain. Persons sporting inadequate footwear will be denied participation and will not be entitled to a refund.

On this tour, all participants will need to trek with a provided backpack the entire way. The backpack weighs approximately 10 pounds and will hold mountaineering gear, snacks, water, and extra clothing you may wish to bring.