The mendenhall glacier trek is not your everyday adventure, and neither is the challenging trek to get there, but what an experience when you reach the majestic mendenhall glacier and explore this eerie blue world of ice, from deep crevasses and moulins steep shafts to crystalclear meltwater streams and emeraldgreen pools. This sightseeing cruise features guaranteed whale watching. The glacier and surrounding landscape is protected as part of the 5,815 acres 2,353 ha mendenhall glacier recreation area, a federally designated unit of the tongass national forest. Several exhibits in the visitor center cover the history of mendenhall glacier, depicting how it covered the valley when captain george vancouver toured the area in the late 1770s, and its diminishment over the last. The mendenhall glacier and whale watching are two of the main attractions in the juneau area. Juneau tours dont get more challenging, or rewarding, than this one. Be amazed by the mile 21kilometer mendenhall glacier, and take to the water on a whalewatching cruise. We were able to get very close much closer than on a boat with. Mendenhall glacier visitor center juneau vacations. The mendenhall glacier has plenty of activities you can do yourself but there are a number of fun charter tours that help you get the most out of your visit. View our 7year timelapse video of alaskas mendenhall glacier.
Mendenhall glacier and whale quest allen marine tours. Enjoy hotel pickup in downtown juneau, and then head over to mendenhall glacier, a glacier that stretches approximately 12 miles 19 km long. Alaska mendenhall glacier and whale watching combo this excursion combines two of the most popular attractions in juneau, the mendenhall glacier and whale watching. Or, if youd rather learn more about the city than the wildlife, consider the mendenhall glacier and juneau city combo tour. Juneau whale watch, mendenhall glacier and tracys king crab combo. Step into alaska with one of these dedicated and knowledgeable local guides. Tripadvisor whale watch and mendenhall glacier combo. Two of us did a tour for photographers that included whale watching and a small 1. Mendenhall lake is a proglacial lake in the mendenhall valley at the.
Finally, in 1891, it was named mendenhall glacier in honor of the noted american scientist thomas corwin mendenhall. There are two things you definitely need to experience while youre in juneau. Liability waiver required to be signed in the presence of the tour operator. Alaska cruises juneau, alaska shore excursions norwegian. Alaska inside passage cruise in 4k aboard the ruby princess duration. Mendenhall glacier is a young glacier, and has been melting since the end of the little ice age about 1700 ad. In 1888, the glacier was named auke glacier by naturalist john muir. From juneau, experience alaskan wilderness with this glacier and whalewatching combo tour. Whale watching and the mendenhall glacier, alaska this tour combines two of the best attractions in the juneau area the mendenhall glacier and whale watching. Juneau excursions and tours gastineau guiding company. Whale watching and mendenhall glacier combo tour from juneau.
The mendenhall glacier visitor center, administered by the u. Juneau city and mendenhall glacier combo tour juneau, united. Red lines indicate the size of the glacier in 2007, and again in 2014. Then off to the mendenhall glacier to spend some time hiking, watching fish spawn at steep creek or enjoy a. The mendenhall glacier beat has a hasty retreat 656 feet lost on its east side in 2004 and 269 feet lost on its west side in 2005 is attracting a lot of curiosity from visitors around the world. Mendenhall glacier very accessible glacier in juneau, alaska.
Mindfreezing facts about the mendenhall glacier us travelia. Juneau mendenhall glacier, whale watching, salmon bake. New juneau whale watching custom boats depart from juneaus auke bay harbor and explore alaska%u2019s inside passage. Whale watching and mendenhall glacier combo tour from juneau duration. Alaska mendenhall glacier and whale watching combo. Tour driver robert is knowledgeable and helpful but his busy schedule meant that we have to wait for him to pick us up at the mendenhall glacier as well as after the whale watching. The mendenhall glacier visitor center features interesting exhibits, interactive videos, and a gorgeous panoramic view of the glacier. As a local naturalist and photo guide, i enjoy helping people not only get better pictures but also telling them about things they see on the tour. About us in the spring of 1970, the allen family of sitka, alaska resurrected a sunken stephens motor yacht and outfitted it for sightseeing tours. Glacier gardens rainforest, nestled alongside thunder mountain, is a stunning combination of flowered paths.
Then off to the mendenhall glacier to spend some time hiking, watching fish spawn at steep creek or enjoy an outstanding view from the visitor center. The operators of this tour guarantee you will see a whale. The glaciers ice calves into mendenhall lake, and from there into the mendenhall river, which in turn flows into fritz cove. Mendenhall glacier also sitaantaagu is a glacier about. First part of our tour was a short hike to see the mendenhall glacier and then we boarded a 45person catamaran for whale watching. Forest service, is the focal point for visitors to the glacier. Informative professional driver guide during transfers. Ice trekking on mendenhall glacier for approximately one hour. The usda forest service mendenhall glacier visitor center is located in the mendenhall valley, 12 miles from downtown juneau. When you book your first tour online, contact us and well apply the discount when you want to book your second and third tours. Consider a day cruise that combines a visit to the glacier with a whalewatching tour of auke bay, for example. The mendenhall glacier is juneaus biggest attraction and a humbling sight.
Juneau tours multiple locations whale watch and mendenhall glacier combo tour the fine print. Whale watch and mendenhall glacier combo tour 2020 juneau. As well as humpback whales, theres a good chance of spotting bald eagles, blue heron, and other animal and bird life. Feast on juneaus famous king crab combo at tracys king crab shack. Ancient forest thaws from melting glacial tomb live science. All participants are eligible to enter the tour operators capture juneau photo contest and win cash prizes. The native tlingit indians named the glacier sitaantaagu. Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy unique sights of juneau and surrounding area. Most ice that has been tested is less than 150 years old.
Travel time, a photo safari by sea and a trail walk at the mendenhall glacier. Mendenhall glacier mendenhall glacier visitor center. Heated cabin with wide viewing windows, spacious decks for whale watching, and bathrooms on board. Whale watching and the mendenhall glacier audley travel. Bob janes, dawn wolfe and family owners of gastineau guiding. The city bus drops visitors a mile and a half from the visitor center. Against a majestic backdrop of snowcapped peaks and glaciers, the onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of wildlife you may encounter, including humpback and killer whales, sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles and more. Begin with a cruise to view humpback whales and other marine life from a picture perfect vantage point. Mendenhall lake, alaska, usa vacation info lakelubbers. Your experience will be indepth, authentic, genuine and personalized.
Nugget falls, with mendenhall lake and shore in middle distance, with pioneering shrubs alder and willow in the foreground. Visitors may reach the visitor center by city bus, taxi, tour bus or rental car. Juneau whale watch, mendenhall glacier and tracys king crab. This excursion is a chance to see two of alaskas natural wonders, the mendenhall glacier and its abundance of wildlife. The mendenhall glacier tour was good but the whale watching did not meet our expectation as we only saw two whales. Doing these two options as a combo tour will allow you to be as.
Continue to auke bay for your whalewatching cruise. Drive right up to the icy mass of mendenhall glacier, where you can hike, explore, and check out interactive exhibits at the visitor center. At the core of our juneau tours and excursions is a passionate guide who opens a doorway to the wild places that will stir your soul. This day outing is perfect for food lovers and those seeking an allinclusive alaskan experience. The glacier gains about two feet of ice most years, but is receding about 25 feet at the same time. Whale watch and mendenhall glacier combo tour provided by juneau tours. Mendenhall glacier visitor center juneau alaska glaciers. Browse juneau tours tour types mendenhall glacier combo. Numerous selfguided walking trails can be explored to experience the. We guide you on a 2 hour whale watching tour, spotting humpback whales and other wildlife. There are many helicopter tours providing spectacular aerial views of ice. Notice how ice melts at the glaciers edge, while thinning at the same time. Note the brownish carpet of mosses, lichens and short sedges in the spaces between the shrubs.
The mendenhall glacier visitor center provides amazing views of the glacier and lake. Promtional videos and photos are available for download for our products. This excursion combines two of the most popular attractions in juneau, the mendenhall glacier and whale watching. That summer, the allens operated their first excursion on the vessel a trip up silver bay in sitka and the familys reputation for warm, friendly hospitality and unmatched local knowledge. The mendenhall glacier has its origin in the juneau icefield. We saw a pod of orca whales only the 3rd siting this season and some humpback whales.
It extends from its source juneau icefield to mendenhall lake and river. Youll see that the glacier deflates like air releasing from a balloon. Visit mendenhall glacier and go whale watching on this combo tour from juneau, alaska. Juneau tours and whale watch offers tours and activities for these attractions. Best alaska mendenhall glacier and whale watching combo. Best alaska mendenhall glacier and whale watching combo shore. City, glacier and whale watching tours in juneau, alaska. Learn about its formation from the visitors center. Times are tough for the travel community right now. Purchasing these two options as a combo tour will allow you to be as efficient as possible with your time in juneau and reduces time spent in transportation. The adventure continues to mendenhall glacier, where. For a shorter and simpler adventure, check out our whale watching tour. Mendenhall glacier visitor center juneau 2020 all you. Join us for whale watching in our cool alaskan waters and then view one of 38 glaciers from the juneau ice fields the spectacular mendenhall glacier.
220 843 1268 485 663 1360 1011 142 740 1111 1553 765 841 532 960 1202 148 1180 298 1090 821 398 190 593 685 153 1404 968 1139 702 1261 585 1165 895 1376 14 884 838 1073 340 799 200 1434 160