Mendenhall Glacier hike without tour

[louisianacruisers]

We are going on Oviation of the Seas and will be in Juneau on July 9 and wanting to know if you can hike Mendenhall Glacier on your own, without a tour group?

[GTJ]

35 minutes ago, louisianacruisers said:

[C]an [a person] hike Mendenhall Glacier on your own, without a tour group?

Of course! The ultimate self-sufficient trip would be to use Capital Transit to and from the glacier. Cost is two dollars per person bus fare each way, walking the short distance from the transit bus stop to the visitor center. Add five dollars to the cost for admission to the visitor center. See here for directions: http://www.juneaucapitaltransit.org/how-to-ride-to-the-mendenhall-glacier-visitor-center-with-capital-transit. There are also some private companies that provide basic transportation to and from the glacier, also without a formal tour. The best known is the "Blue Bus," operated by M&M Tours of Juneau. The cost is $49.95 round-trip, including visitor center admission. See http://www.mmtoursofjuneau.com/product-page/blue-glacier-express.

[donaldsc]

Definitely "yes"!!!

 

DON

[wolfie11]

If you mean you want to hike to the actual glacier then yes.  The West Glacier trail starts at the Skaters Cabin and you’ll have to take a taxi to get there. The official trail is around two miles long to an overlook.  From there you can follow an unofficial, unimproved trail to the glacier.  It’s another 2-3 miles to the glacier itself.  Be prepared for rough conditions and a lot of scrambling.  Do not walk on the glacier when you get there without appropriate equipment!  The ice is rotten in places. Allow about 6 hours for the round trip.

[Aquahound]

I hiked both West and East Glacier last week.  Mendenhall has receded from the unimproved trail from West Glacier and is not so easy anymore to walk on.  Plus, the trail is not in great shape.  I do not recommend trying.  

 

East Glacier is still a beautiful loop through the woods with a nice glacier viewpoint.  

 

But for the op, I'm not sure if you're asking about these longer hikes, or the easier walk from the visitor's center to Nugget Falls that most people hike.  Either way, they are easily done on your own.  You just gotta get there, which will require a taxi, bus, public bus, etc.  

Edited June 28, 2023 by Aquahound