Getting CLOSE/Walking on a Glacier

We are headed to Alaska and DW has her heart set on walking on a glacier or at least getting very close. In Juneau, Mendenhall is the option but if you go to the park, it appears that you don't get very close. A strenuous glacier "trek" is probably out of the question. We can walk miles but rocky, very uneven ground is another story. Are there any options at the typical ports other than helicopter flights? Thanks for your help.

Harry

Will you be in Seward or Whittier?

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Kayak across the lake to Mendenhall?

Will you be in Seward or Whittier?

 

 

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Yes, Seward.

Kayak across the lake to Mendenhall?

Not the cards, I'm afraid.

Since you’re going to be in Seward you’ll be in Anchorage as well. If it works with your plans, Matanuska Glacier is 2 hours from Anchorage. It’s the most easily accessible glacier and the most inexpensive one you can trek on with a guide. From the parking area it’s a 10-15 minute walk and you’re on the glacier. There are several guides such as NOVA and MICA.

Byron Glacier is nr Girdwood, about 40 mile drive south of Anchorage. There's an easy trail 3 mi RT. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/byron-glacier-trail

http://familytravel.everything-everywhere.com/2013/08/byron-glacier-alaska-a-family-friendly-hike-between-anchorage-and-seward/

The Exit Glacier is a short ride from Seward, tho the walk from the parking lot keeps getting longer and longer. Probably 1/2 mile or so.

When I walked on my first glacier it didn't take long until I realized that it was a lot like walking on an ice covered sidewalk in front of my house....only far more dangerous.

Byron Glacier is nr Girdwood, about 40 mile drive south of Anchorage. There's an easy trail 3 mi RT. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/byron-glacier-trail

 

http://familytravel.everything-everywhere.com/2013/08/byron-glacier-alaska-a-family-friendly-hike-between-anchorage-and-seward/

The Byron Glacier walk is amazing, but it doesn't get you on a glacier. The white stuff the kids on standing in the link you provided is snow, not glacier ice. We hiked two miles up the Byron Glacier Valley last year and was still well short of glacier ice. And past the end of the developed trail, the hiking gets more and more dicey. Here's our pictures from our time there. http://akstafford.blogspot.com/2017/08/byron-glacier-trail.html

The OP's request was for " walking on a glacier or at least getting very close "

There are also flights out of Anchorage that fly around the face of Mount Denali and land on a glacier (in case the issue was you don’t like helicopters and not the cost).

Maybe someone here knows how close the boat across Lake Portage gets to Portage glacier?

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Here is a family friendly (read from perspective of can a young child do the hike) description of exit glacier which is very close to Seward.

https://www.trekaroo.com/activities/exit-glacier-seward-alaska

Don’t know if it is ok to post outside links?

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Maybe someone here knows how close the boat across Lake Portage gets to Portage glacier?

As close as they can safely get. You get a pretty good view.

Thanks for all the info. Looks as if Exit glacier is the place for us. Convenient shuttle, moderate hike in and close-up experience.

Harry