Guide companies from Juneau lead groups across the massive Mendenhall and Root glaciers using crampons and ice axes. Helicopter access to remote glaciers provides an accessible introduction to glacier travel.
Alaska Glacier Trekking brings visitors onto active glaciers in one of the most accessible alpine environments in North America, with Juneau — Alaska's state capital — serving as the primary base. The Mendenhall Glacier, located approximately 13 miles from downtown Juneau and reachable by city bus or shuttle, is the most visited glacier in Alaska and the starting point for guided ice walks ranging from two-hour beginner excursions to full-day explorations of the lower icefield. The glacier is part of the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest icefields in North America outside of polar regions, covering approximately 1,500 square miles and feeding more than 30 named glaciers. Guides equip participants with microspike crampons, trekking poles, and helmets at the glacier edge before leading groups across the ice surface. Walking on glacial terrain involves navigating crevasse margins, meltwater streams running through channels carved into the ice, turquoise moulin pools, and towering seracs. Guide companies identify safe walking corridors and adjust routes daily based on melt conditions and crevasse changes; no glacier trek should be undertaken independently without knowledge of current ice conditions. Operators including Above & Beyond Alaska, NorthStar Trekking, and Liquid Adventures operate from Juneau and offer helicopter-accessed glacier experiences in addition to surface treks. Helicopter-accessed tours from Juneau provide access to the upper Juneau Icefield and more remote glaciers beyond the Mendenhall's public access zone. Combined helicopter-and-trek itineraries run 3-4 hours including flight time and offer aerial views of peaks, fjords, and adjacent icefields before landing on pristine ice far from the Visitor Center crowds. No prior experience with crampons or glacier travel is required for beginner guided walks on the Mendenhall. Participants should be able to walk on uneven terrain and cover 2-4 miles at a moderate pace. Most operators accept participants aged 8 and older for surface treks; helicopter tours have additional age and weight minimums set by aviation regulations. Weather is the dominant variable in Juneau glacier planning: the city receives over 1,500mm of annual precipitation and experiences frequent low cloud that grounds helicopter operations for hours at a time. Most helicopter operators offer 24-48 hour rebooking windows tied to weather conditions. Booking flexible dates is strongly advisable for any helicopter glacier itinerary. The primary season runs May through September. Early summer (May-June) offers bright white ice with good contrast and long daylight hours; late summer (August-September) produces vivid turquoise melt pools but also accelerated crevasse formation in lower glacier zones.
Activity facts
- Where
- Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, Alaska
Highlights
- Walk on Mendenhall Glacier — accessible by bus from downtown Juneau, no helicopter required for surface treks
- Helicopter glacier tours over the Juneau Icefield, covering more than 1,500 square miles of ice and peak terrain
- Turquoise glacial meltwater pools, active crevasse fields, and ice seracs explored on guided crampon walks
- All glacier gear provided by operators — crampons, trekking poles, helmets, and safety equipment included
- Brown bear and mountain goat sightings frequently reported near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Tips for visiting
- Book helicopter glacier tours with maximum schedule flexibility — Juneau averages overcast conditions more than 200 days per year and operators reschedule frequently
- Dress in waterproof, windproof layers even in summer — glacier surface temperatures run 10-15°C colder than the Juneau waterfront
- Wear sturdy waterproof hiking boots with ankle support; crampons attach only to boots with a firm sole and cannot be used with trail runners or soft sneakers
- Combine a surface glacier trek with a visit to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for exhibits on glacial retreat and Tlingit cultural connections to the ice
- Morning departure slots tend to have better weather windows than afternoon in summer — book the earliest available time if departure time is flexible
Frequently asked questions
Is glacier trekking in Juneau suitable for children?
Most surface glacier treks accept children aged 8 and older. Helicopter tours have aviation-regulated weight and age minimums that vary by operator, typically 3-5 years minimum and specific weight limits per passenger. Families should confirm requirements at booking.
What is the weather cancellation policy for helicopter glacier tours?
Licensed operators in Juneau offer full refunds or free rescheduling when fog, rain above safety thresholds, or low visibility prevents safe helicopter operations. Surface treks typically proceed in light rain with appropriate gear provided. Confirm specific terms with each operator before payment.
How far is the Mendenhall Glacier from central Juneau?
The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is approximately 13 miles from downtown Juneau. City bus service runs to the visitor center in summer, and most guide companies offer shuttle pick-up from cruise ship docks and downtown hotels.
How physically demanding is a beginner glacier trek?
Beginner guided surface treks are moderate in effort — comparable to a 2-4 mile hike on uneven terrain. Crampons provide good traction and stability but require deliberate foot placement. Full-day icefield routes involve more elevation gain and are rated moderate to strenuous; confirm the route profile with the operator before booking.
Is the Mendenhall Glacier retreating?
Yes. The Mendenhall Glacier has retreated approximately 3 miles since 1929 and continues to lose around 100-200 feet per year. The scale of change is illustrated in photographic panels at the Visitor Center, and guide companies incorporate glacial change science into all trekking programs.