Breathtakingly beautiful, the Mendenhall Glacier fills the valley for as far as the eye can see. As you stand on the banks of the glacier-fed lake, at the foot of the ice flow, cool breezes and fresh air brush your cheeks. Inching down from the Juneau Icefield nearly 3000 years ago and now receding at a rate of 150-200 feet per year, the deep blue and lighter hues reveal the remains of an ancient forest overcome a 1000 years ago by the slowly creeping ice. After an 80-year journey, ice accumulated each winter at the top of the mountain slips down to form the terminus of the glacier only to slowly melt in the warmer summer air. Nearby, a waterfall plummets 377 feet down the side of a mountain, roaring into Mendenhall Lake. Surrounded by forest, in a steep valley carved out by advancing and receding ice for hundreds of thousands of years, the Mendenhall Glacier can only truly be appreciated in person.

Discover Alaska’s capital city! Nestled between stunning mountain vistas and winding waterways, the modern city of Juneau is reminiscent of the old west. From the colorful port, to the busy capitol building, to the famous whale statue, this unique city has a surprise around every corner. Join us for a colorful narrated tour!

The crowning point of the tour is Juneau’s natural treasure, the Mendenhall Glacier. One of 38 glaciers flowing from the massive 1,500-square-mile Juneau Ice field. At this stop you can explore this glacial wonder from a variety of perspectives like Nugget Creek Falls and Photo Point Trail, which winds along Mendenhall Lake to an unobstructed view of the glacier’s face. There you can also visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for an elevated view of the glacier as well as interactive geological exhibits explaining glacier formation.