Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Hike Adventure

4.92

(198 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small when we pushed off from the shore at Mendenhall Lake. Our guide, Ben, handed out paddles and cracked a joke about “Alaskan upper body workouts”—I laughed but honestly wondered if my arms would keep up. The water was this weird milky green, cold even through the rubber boots they gave us. We slid past these little islands where arctic terns were making a racket—one even swooped close enough that I ducked (Ben said they’re just dramatic). My hands started to ache a bit from gripping the paddle, but it faded as we got into rhythm.

The closer we got to Mendenhall Glacier, the quieter everyone got. There’s this moment when you realize that blue isn’t just a color—it’s almost glowing in the cracks of the ice. We spotted a chunk of iceberg bobbing near Nugget Falls, and I swear it looked like glass. The wind picked up suddenly and you could smell something sharp—like snow mixed with wet rocks. When we finally landed and clambered out onto the rocky shore, I nearly slipped (graceful as ever), but Ben steadied me and pointed out how fast the glacier’s been shrinking just in his lifetime. It hit different hearing it from someone who grew up here.

The hike itself wasn’t long but felt raw—lots of uneven stones, patches of moss, and that constant hush except for our boots crunching. We didn’t go onto the glacier itself (they told us upfront), but standing right at its edge was enough. You could hear little pops and cracks inside the ice if you stood still. I kept thinking about how old this place is—like you’re borrowing time from another world or something.