Mendenhall on own

[piejamin]

Hi all

 

Can you get to Mendenhall visitor center/glacier viewing on your own/without a tour? It seems people felt rushed on some of the cruise ship tours. Maybe rent a car/take a taxi or something. Anyone try this? Also for the tram up the mountain too in Juneau.

Thanks

[Cruizer_J]

Both are very easy to do. You’ll find shuttle busses that run to the glacier throughout the day; look for ticket booths at the dock, especially the dock area nearest town. The tram station is also right at the dock and you can get your tickets there; this way, you can check the weather when you arrive before buying tickets.

[Yukon]

Just take a shuttle from the dock to Mendenhall Glacier for $14 return and stay as long as you want. No need to pre-book, there are several ticket kiosks. Don't pre-book the Mt. Roberts tramway, either - if you get good weather, just walk over to the tramway terminus, which is right at the main cruise dock, and get your tickets (which are good for all day, as many trips up as you want).

[NC-17]

just follow the links,

http://www.juneau.org/capitaltransit/index.php

 

you will find all the info regarding about the public tranportation, fare and maps. So you will comfortable with when you're arriving at the port.

 

Enjoy your trip.

[Toyz711]

just to give you the idea of how close things are to the docks. here's a photo...the parking lot is where you will find the shuttle, for mendenhall, booths. the tram is very hard to miss ;), very easy to do on your own..weather permitting you wanting to go up. (the day we were there was in late sept and weather was NOT permitting)

[Yukon]

Sorry, public transportation isn't applicable to this question. It's a long walk from the end of the transit bus loop to the glacier.

[floatinrocks]

Just take a shuttle from the dock to Mendenhall Glacier for $14 return and stay as long as you want. No need to pre-book, there are several ticket kiosks. Don't pre-book the Mt. Roberts tramway, either - if you get good weather, just walk over to the tramway terminus, which is right at the main cruise dock, and get your tickets (which are good for all day, as many trips up as you want).

 

 

Yukon,

We are only in Juneau from 7am to 1:15, is it possible to take the shuttle, walk around on the Glacier, shuttle back and still do the tram??

[Yukon]

Yukon,

We are only in Juneau from 7am to 1:15, is it possible to take the shuttle, walk around on the Glacier, shuttle back and still do the tram??

 

Yes, that gives you ample time.

[piejamin]

Great info everyone! Make planning (& dreaming) easier when you have details to work with!!!

[Budget Queen]

Be aware that the shuttle buses to return can encounter long lines, where you will be waiting through several buses for a seat. So do not plan on taking the last bus you can back. IF you want the most time, then have a phone number for one of the cab companies and call them about 30 minutes before you want to leave.

[floatinrocks]

Does anyone know how far or how long of a trek it is to the glacier after the shuttle bus drops you off? We're in our 50s.

 

Also, how much would a cab back to town cost approximately????

[MichTraveler]

This is one of the State's most easily accessible glaciers and one trail is wheel-chair accessible. There are longer trails for the hikers, but short ones for those of us who want to see the glacier without all the hiking.

 

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/mendenhall/

 

Except from the website above:

Easy trail with scenic glacial views

Length - 0.3 miles

Time - 20 minutes

Elevation gain - 10 feet

 

As its name implies, Photo Point Trail is the best vantage point to capture panoramic shots of Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding peaks. The entire trail is accessible, with benches and interpretive information spaced along it.

[tee_harbor]

 

Also, how much would a cab back to town cost approximately????

 

At least $25. And you'll need to have the phone number of a cab company with you to call one. I've heard they're not longer allowed to just wait for a fare to materialize.

[Budget Queen]

Does anyone know how far or how long of a trek it is to the glacier after the shuttle bus drops you off? We're in our 50s.

 

Also, how much would a cab back to town cost approximately????

 

You have NO glacier access from the visitor center side, where the shuttles drop off. The closest view on an official trail is photo point, short and doable by most everyone. A closer view can be had, if you walk along the lake, which is supposed to made into a trail in the future??? At present, you do climb over stuff, and rocks.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have gone out to Mendenhall Glacier a couple of times on our own -- took the Blue Bus -- it was really great -- we could take our own time and walked the trails without being rushed.

[judyf]

You have NO glacier access from the visitor center side, where the shuttles drop off. The closest view on an official trail is photo point, short and doable by most everyone. A closer view can be had, if you walk along the lake, which is supposed to made into a trail in the future??? At present, you do climb over stuff, and rocks.

 

Our time is limited on the MG, how long will these walks take?

 

Thanks

[bmcc]

This is one of the State's most easily accessible glaciers and one trail is wheel-chair accessible. There are longer trails for the hikers, but short ones for those of us who want to see the glacier without all the hiking.

 

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/mendenhall/

 

Except from the website above:

Easy trail with scenic glacial views

Length - 0.3 miles

Time - 20 minutes

Elevation gain - 10 feet

 

As its name implies, Photo Point Trail is the best vantage point to capture panoramic shots of Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding peaks. The entire trail is accessible, with benches and interpretive information spaced along it.

 

Thanks for the link. I like the 10 feet elevation gain part. ;)

[Paumavista]

We've got a family of 5....when I considered the cost of the shuttle; bus or cab.....it was the same price as renting a car. Plus we could really set our own schedule.

 

We'll rent a car, drive out to the glacier and then do a little exploring around. If we find parking difficult in town...we'll save that for last and return the car, then tour the town and walk back to the boat.

 

Check out all your options.

 

Judy

[judyf]

This is one of the State's most easily accessible glaciers and one trail is wheel-chair accessible. There are longer trails for the hikers, but short ones for those of us who want to see the glacier without all the hiking.

 

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/mendenhall/

 

Except from the website above:

Easy trail with scenic glacial views

Length - 0.3 miles

Time - 20 minutes

Elevation gain - 10 feet

 

As its name implies, Photo Point Trail is the best vantage point to capture panoramic shots of Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding peaks. The entire trail is accessible, with benches and interpretive information spaced along it.

 

Thanks for the info.

[ike201]

How long does it take to take the trail/walk around the lake?

Is 4 hours enough time (including taking the shuttle back & forth) if we

want to do photo point trail & the walk around the lake?

Is there any place to eat there if we want to take a cab to our next

excursion?

[Budget Queen]

How long does it take to take the trail/walk around the lake?

Is 4 hours enough time (including taking the shuttle back & forth) if we

want to do photo point trail & the walk around the lake?

Is there any place to eat there if we want to take a cab to our next

excursion?

 

There is no walk "around the lake" the river and glacier prevent this. If you are referring to the lake walk up to the water fall, an hour is doable, unless you need extended time for stepping over the stuff that washes up and gets moved due to the water. The shuttle is an hour, IF you don't get caught up in long return lines. Depending on where your "next excursion" is a cab may be your best option and time saver. This would include any whale watching, helicopter flights with anyone except ERA, Glacier Gardens, Alaska Brewery etc.

[dreams_of_travel]

I fully agree with the OP of this thread. The excursion booked via the ship did not allow for much exploring time at all. FWIW, this is the ONE excursion the kids agreed to go on again. LOL

 

Just take a shuttle from the dock to Mendenhall Glacier for $14 return and stay as long as you want. No need to pre-book, there are several ticket kiosks.

Are they any shuttle companies that should be avoided? Bad experience, etc? Any that are more awesome than others?

 

Sorry, public transportation isn't applicable to this question. It's a long walk from the end of the transit bus loop to the glacier.

Thanks for that comment, otherwise I wouldn't have checked out the transit routes. I definitely would not recommend walking that road in to the park. Too many bears. LOL

 

Be aware that the shuttle buses to return can encounter long lines, where you will be waiting through several buses for a seat. So do not plan on taking the last bus you can back. IF you want the most time, then have a phone number for one of the cab companies and call them about 30 minutes before you want to leave.

Are there a few cab companies you would recommend? Ones that are more reputable or best for arriving when requested? Thanks!

[Budget Queen]

All the shuttles will get you back and forth to Mendenhall, makes no difference who you go with. Doesn't matter which cab company either, in my opinion. listings http://www.traveljuneau.com

[dreams_of_travel]

All the shuttles will get you back and forth to Mendenhall, makes no difference who you go with. Doesn't matter which cab company either, in my opinion. listings www.traveljuneau.com

 

Thanks! I will check it out. :) Added link to my cache of travel bookmarks.

[deaconacc]

We took taxi and I think it was 30 each way(I could be wrong, but whatever it was it was not unreasonbale, IMO) The shuttles cut off at a certain time and we wanted to stay and not be rushed.

 

We hiked all the way over to the falls just to the right of the glacier. Lake was a little high at points so had to climb some rocks at beginning. But that was a great hike, and no one else was doing it so had it all to ourselves.