Paddle your canoe through the calm deep waters of Mendenhall Lake, then hike across the rocky shores with views of Tongass National Forest to reach Juneau’s famous Mendenhall Glacier. Bald eagles and mountain goats will watch over you as you don your ice spikes and continue your trek along the glacier in search its stunning, natural blue-ice formations.
Experience the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier and Mendenhall Lake from a series of unparalleled vantage points on this exclusive glacial adventure!
Meet your tour representative near the cruise ship terminal and transfer to the edge of Mendenhall Lake – your paddling destination and the first phase of today’s exploration. Pull on your waterproof boots, and step into the cool waters of Mendenhall Lake.
On this exclusive tour, your guide will lead your group in a canoe across the glacier-fed lake. Paddle along this silt-rich lake with glowing blue icebergs, and reflections of the grand peaks of the Coastal Mountain Range. Each departure is tailored to your party’s needs and goals, whether it is extra time, a faster pace, or more.
The lake is quiet in the mornings. Your paddle dips into the water as you make your way past icebergs, freshly calved off Mendenhall Glacier. The only sound is the roar of Nugget Falls in the distance as it plummets off the mountain side.
Once you round the rock peninsula, the face of the glacier confronts you like a giant. Blocks of ice stand tall, waiting for the right moment to calve into the waters. Arctic terns circle overhead, fighting off intruding bald eagles. Mountain goats follow the retreating snow line, slowly making their way up looking for fresh greens.
When you make landfall, hike a short distance across rocky terrain, and onto the glacier itself. Glaciers are constantly changing, with features that disappear and reappear over the course of the season. After strapping on your micro-spikes, your guide will take you on a tour of the glacier’s accessible features which may include exploring the other-worldliness of an ice cave, descending into crevasses carved by melt water, or peering into the deep blue well of a moulin.
After your glacial exploration, paddle back across Mendenhall Lake, allowing the visually stunning experience to wash over you before returning to the lake’s edge.
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We had a wonderful time and we appreciate all of the arrangements you made. Everything was top notch. Great itinerary, great places, great people, great plans, great guides, great adventures, great food, great driver, the whole package. Loved it all!
Barbara Simon