Actually enjoyed nugget falls more than the glacier. Recommended Line 3 bus, travel via Mendenhall Loop Road and Dredge Lake Road 7-10 days is the most common. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com. We really wanted to explore the ice caves but were unable to hire a guide while we were there. Half the price and more open timewise than ship one which limited time. the Mendenhall Glacier is part of the 5,815 acre Mendenhall Glacier Recreational Area and part of Tongas National Forest. A light snack and refreshments will be provided. The bus, somewhat bizarrely, drops you 1.5 miles short of the visitor center. It is breathtaking. Thanks in advance! Tall black cottonwood trees (Populus balsamifera subsp. Mendenhall Lake in Juneau is seen on Nov. 6, 2021. The scenery and the adventure is like nothing youve experienced before as a hiker. City Public Transportation: The city bus charges a minimal fee. The cruise-ship industry projected 1.65 million visitors to Alaska this year. The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. I recommend the walking tour to the water falls. The staff are super friendly, helpful and if you ask them they will tell you of bears have been seen recently or how many salmon have been counted in the stream on any given day. We are wanting to see the glacier in June. This is groundcone (Boschniakia rossica), a member of the broomrape family, that makes its living by parasitizing the alder roots. Blue bus to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau - Alaska - Cruise Critic The last bus of the day depends on the cruise-ship schedule. Are there wheelchairs available for rent for elderly visitors who are ambulatory but too far to walk to the falls? Highlights plus less visited destinations. On our quest for whales, we will also be on the lookout for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bears and more of Alaskas wildlife. Day use only, visitor center area closes at night, A range of hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Juneau. It was a fun excursion. Sali. FYI there is another restroom in the visitor center and a little hike in a loop near the parking lot area. Nice hiking with great views of the falls and the Glacier. 90% of travelers recommend this experience. We purchased a combination whale watching tour and Mendenhall Glacier tour, so the bus we boarded in Juneau took us to both places, then back to the vicinity where we started, which was near our cruise ship. Nice walk on a good path way. Cruise along the shore to observe true Alaskan wildlife at its finest. Can it be done in that short of time? Several trails radiate from the visitor center offering access to a variety of habitat types and stages of plant community development. There are three species of twistedstalk; the tallest (up to 1 meter or more) is clasping twistedstalk (Streptopus amplexifolius) with leaf bases clasping the stem and greenish white bell-shaped flowers hanging on thin, kinked stalks; medium sized rosy twistedstalk (S. lanceolatus var. I highly recommend being on the first bus and get there early, because it does tend to get packed later in the day. She said her business plans to carefully manage its remaining permits for glacier visits. Looking up at a rock face along the Trail of Time; ICE LIMIT 1938 carved into the rock of a whaleback (rock outcrop shaped and smoothed by glacial action). Juneau Sightseeing and Mendenhall Glacier Tour 2023 Nice little visitors center with lots of information concerning the Mendenhall Glacier and nugget falls. Mendenhall Glacier is very scenic. LockA locked padlock What attractions are near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center? Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. But because they ran later shuttle buses--as promised--it was not a problem for us.] (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon). Read our. You can access most trails without paying for a pass but you get neat little membership cards for keepsakes if you get the season pass. The team is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, it is a delight to work with them. Seeing the glacier. The trail off to the right that carries you to the base of an ice cold roaring waterfall is a worthwhile 1 mile stroll. Pick up point is central to the dock unless you are on a Norwegian ship. Visitors may reach the visitor center by city bus, taxi, tour bus or rental car. US Forest Service, FM-RM-VE The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Highly recommend taking the blue bus to the mendenhall glacier! We ended up taking a public bus back to town to avoid him, We got to the glacier fine If you are up to a small walk (1.5 miles) this is the best way to get to the visitors center!!! But with the exception of the pandemic which shut down the industry for nearly two years the number of cruise-ship visitors has grown. The Juneau Icefield's most visible ambassador, 13-mile long Mendenhall Glacier ends at Mendenhall Lake and is easily viewed from the Forest Service's historic visitor center. Pioneering shrubs and herbs on the lake margin. What hotels are near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center? How To Get To Mendenhall Glacier From Juneau Cruise Port Visitors will then need to follow the sidewalk from the bus stop 1.5 miles to the . Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (Juneau) - What to Know BEFORE You Go. The driver was Informative and good. He made the tour even livelier! She acknowledged that for Juneau visitors, the glacier is iconic. Could have provided a better experience if bus was better equipped to un-fog windows. We have other trip planned with Viator. The Forest Service is considering further expanding facilities as a longer-term solution. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Ben was our driver and narrator. Three black bear cubs napping in a cottonwood tree. We used the public bus; however, doing so necessitates a considerable walk. This happened with both tour buses going and leaving the glacier. It ends at Mendenhall Lake, the reason for all the icebergs. Through. The views were absolutely stunning. Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is located approximately 13 miles from downtown Juneau and cruise ship docks. Had the whole bus to ourselves and the director was very informative and funny. When you get to Mendenhall Glacier . This is Southeast Alaskas most affordable bear-viewing site (though it can be partially closed due to heavy bear traffic in summer). Both bus drivers were true locals with interesting insight. You wont be able to get super close to the glacier btw, but some broken off pieces of ice will be within reach that you can touch. Overwhelmed by choices? Archie was a a wonderful The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall Glacier By M&M Tours of Juneau 66 reviews Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay later Free cancellation Ages 0-100, max of 40 per group Duration: 1-8 hours Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket English What's included What to expect Departure and return Accessibility Secure easy and reliable transportation to the Mendenhall Glacier from Juneau with the Blue Bus Glacier Express. Mendenhall Glacier - What To Know BEFORE You Go | Viator It is on a blue school bus but it is only 15 minute ride. General Water Hookups: Electrical Hookups: Sewer Hookups: Tent Spaces: Dump Station: Contact 6000 Glacier Spur Rd, Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: (907) 789-0097 Visit Website Send Email View Map We checked in at the shoreline booth to find the pick up point (in front of the Tram building). You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. On a sunny day its beautiful, with blue skies and snowcapped mountains in the background. Set out on a coach tour that includes highlights of Downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, and the Mendenhall Glacier. 1 ship docks at 1:30 pm. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. I would like to share how we got to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center from the cruise port as we arrived on a cruise ship which was docked directly across from the Mt. Hotels near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center: Restaurants near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center: Attractions near Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center: 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Wet seepy conditions encourage devils club (Oplopanax horridus) and skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) to form thickets and lush patches as inclusions in the forest matrix. $149.00 $14.90 savings. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Thanks again! United States. Pioneering shrubs and herbs on the lake margin. The Alaska Beacon is an independent, nonpartisan news organization focused on connecting Alaskans to their state government. There are city busses that take you to a bus stop that is still a mile walk to the visitor center and then trails to close up of the glacier. Very uncomfortable and not practical for adults. Some days it is every hour. This tour was wonderful . 8 Best Mendenhall Glacier Tours - Alaska Shore Excursions Very knowledgeable driver with lots of interesting facts and seeing parts of Juneau not easily seen! Most common is pink wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia), recognized by its roundish, shiny, dark green basal leaves and small bell-shaped pink flowers nodding along the tall pink flower stalk. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. There are options in port to bookif they are full (as they were when we were there) take the bus trip into the National Forest, its worth a look. The Blue Bus Glacier Express Is a fully narrated trip to the Mendenhall This trail meanders over glacial outwash plain and into young forest 25 100 years old. Juneau: 'On Your Own' Transportation from Port to Mendenhall Glacier Might Take a city bus. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. If you have kids or teenagers you have to visit. Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip 2023 - Juneau - Viator Please meet behind Mt Roberts Tramway, under the white canopy, 15 minutes prior to tour time. I hear sometimes waiting for the blue shuttle can be nightmarish too. No, that is not sufficient time to take the public bus. The Mendenhall Glacier is an incredible site to see. Its was absolutely breathtaking and left us speechless at times. Built and furnished in 1912 at a cost of $44,000, the mansion is not open to the, Overlooking downtown Juneau, this site preserves the 1898 home of pioneer judge and statesman James Wickersham. We had to take a blue bus back into town. The Blue Bus driver was a character and she kept the bus well informed as well as entertained. Mendenhall Glacier is worth seeing! We do not want to have to walk the 1.5 miles like people who take the city bus have to. The city bus drops visitors roughly 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the visitor center, so plan accordingly. Tongass National Forest - Offices Bus service was excellent. [FYI: We took the hike to the falls and did not get back in time to make the tour's pickup bus. Snacks, water and binoculars are also provided. Can we walk from ship port to Mendenhall Glaxier? An experienced guide rows your raft, allowing you to soak up the gorgeous mountain scenery as you float along for six miles around the foot of the glacier. Take the time to walk to Nugget Falls. We were given sufficient time to do the hike to nugget falls and to go to the visitor center. . Take Egan Drive and turn right at Mendenhall Loop Road. A limit of 517,650 visitors was set in 2015 after an environmental analysis of the area. One of these goes clockwise and the other counterclockwise around the Mendenhall Loop Road. To also add to the posts from John and M_M, the walk from the public bus stop would also be uphill. The buses ran to schedule and the narrated ride offered great information about the area. Kenny was great, very entertaining! I would suggest doing a tour through Juneau Tours called "Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour" (or something close to that). If you go to Juneau read A Wolf Called Romeo! He passed them around for purchase which just made it awkward. 220. from $45.00. It was a fun adventure that included an hour longboat ride a short hike through the woods and then paddling a canoe to get closer to the glacier. Business owners knew this day was coming, but it still stings, said Serene Hutchinson, general manager of Juneau Tours, which has operated for more than 20 years. Do yourself a favor and save some money and control your time by booking bus tix to Mendenhall via Big Blue Bus. Our facility and lands are managed by the federal government through the United States Forest Service. This area is generally flat with large open areas with a thick ground cover of an array of lichens, including Iceland, whiteworm, foam, coral, reindeer, Cladonia, kidney and pelt lichens. Three other trails begin behind the Visitor Center and travel upslope into forest 100 400 years old. Staff was nice and helpful. The driver was informative and we saw lots of eagles on our way! You used shuttle bus or local transit? Cut-off times are based on the experiences local time. It's a steep climb, but the house has some, Of 1893 vintage and etched against the backdrop of Mt Juneau, this diminutive onion-domed church is the oldest Russian Orthodox church in Alaska. The bus was easy to find and easy to ride. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Local tourism companies are being forced to turn away tourists in Juneau seeking to visit the area this summer as . Our whale watching boats are custom made to enhance your experience a warm heated cabin with large viewing windows, and two decks to hurry to when the captain slows after spotting the whales. For return bus we have to wait long time. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Its mostly basal leaves have toothed edges and are a clear green above and paler beneath. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experiences start time will not be accepted. A popular half-day Juneau excursion that pairs well with other shorter activities, the Juneau City and Glacier Tour includes a narrated bus ride through Juneau out to Mendenhall Glacier. Since. United States government. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Impressive. Reason: reliable schedule and ideal dropoff and pickup locations. If there is a group of 6 traveling together, it is pretty economical on a per person basis to hire Juneau Limousine for a custom tour and not only are they USFS permit holder but they provide transportation to anywhere you want to go in Juneau.
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