Mendenhall Glacier & Juneau Tram
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Port
Juneau, Alaska, US
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$109.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
This tour visits Juneau's hallmark attractions -- Mendenhall Glacier and Juneau Tram.
Your journey begins with a narrated tour of downtown Juneau and the city's highlights en route to Mendenhall Valley -- home of the mighty glacier. Your guide will point out many of the attractions that you'll want to see during your approximate 1½-hour stay at the Mendenhall Glacier area. Scenic Photo Point and the Visitor Center are well worth a visit. Take time to watch the short film about the glacier and the 37 other glaciers that make up the Juneau Ice Field. The area boasts several self-guided scenic trails that allow you to learn about the role the glacier had in carving the landscape. Each of these trails offers a different view of the Mendenhall through trees or along the shores of Mendenhall Lake.
Return to downtown Juneau for a ride on the Juneau Goldbelt Tram. You can either head straight up the mountain or detour into town and ride the tram at your leisure -- your ticket is good all day. You'll want at least 90 minutes to take in the beauty of Mt Roberts. On the ride up to 1,800 feet, take in the beautiful views with the Chilkat Mountains to the north, Stephens Passage to the south, Douglas Island to the west and, in the east, Silver Bow Basin where gold was discovered in 1880. At the top, explore the area trails and visit Goldbelt Tram Gifts at the Mountain House -- an educational experience because you can watch local artisans crafting traditional objects. Looking out at the surrounding mountains and islands that make up the Tongass area, it is easy to understand why Juneau-ites feel so isolated from the rest of Alaska.
Your guide will explain your options and tell you how to return to the ship from the tram terminal.
Notes:
This tour operates under a Special Use Permit issued by the US Forest Service. If you want an additional 30 minutes at the glacier, consider purchasing the Mendenhall Glacier Explorer, which allows two hours at the glacier.