Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Guided Hike

Explore Mendenhall Glacier up close on a guided canoe across Mendenhall Lake and a glacier-edge hike in about 5.5 hours.

Getting started

Begin at the designated meeting location, where you check in and meet your professional guides. After a brief overview of the plan and required Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk Form, you board the round-trip van transport from the meeting location. On arrival near the lake, your guides review safety, outline the paddling route, and organize the group for canoe outfitting.

What to expect

Mendenhall Lake

This section of the tour takes you across Mendenhall Lake toward the edge of the Mendenhall Glacier in 8-person or 12-person canoes. Expect up to 5 to 6 miles of paddling, with one or two guides on the water depending on group size.

Features

• Comfortable pacing: The group paddles together across Mendenhall Lake toward the glacier edge, adjusting pace for conditions and fitness while your guides manage direction and timing.

• Equipment included: All paddling equipment and glacier gear are provided, so you do not need to bring technical equipment. You are outfitted in the group canoes with everything needed for the lake portion before setting off.

• Rainwear provided: Rain gear, including a hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants, is supplied along with a dry bag backpack so you can keep personal items protected in this all-weather operation, except in unsafe conditions.

Mendenhall Glacier

After reaching the shoreline near the Mendenhall Glacier, you step out of the canoe and transition to hiking terrain close to the glacier edge. The guided hike covers about 2 miles round-trip on varied surfaces with changing weather and glacier conditions.

Features

• Safety is a priority: Every participant wears all safety gear including helmet and trekking poles if needed are available for the hike, and guides explain how this equipment supports both the paddle and the on-land portion near the glacier.

• Guided experience: A guided hike is included, and your professional guides lead the group along the route near the glacier, setting a pace that matches group ability and prevailing weather. They decide how close you can safely get, since the Mendenhall Glacier is receding daily and not all features may be present or accessible.

• Permits included: US Forest Service permits are included for this glacier area, so your access to the hiking zone is fully arranged in advance and aligned with local regulations that govern use of the site.

• Hearty snacks: Healthy snacks are provided during a suitable break, giving you a chance to refuel before or after the hiking portion, depending on timing and group needs.

• Souvenirs: A souvenir water bottle is included, which you can use for hydration throughout the tour and then take home at the end of the day.

After the hike and paddle back across Mendenhall Lake, you return your paddling and glacier gear, dry bag backpack, and rain gear, then board the van for round-trip transport back to the original meeting location.