Above & Beyond Alaska
6 Activities
Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike
Experience the Mendenhall Glacier Guide Hike, a thrilling 6-7 mile adventure! Your journey begins with a 3-mile trek through the Tongass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rainforest, enveloped in majestic Sitka spruce and hemlock trees. Your experienced guide will lead you through this lush wilderness, winding past beaver ponds and scrambling up exposed bedrock, where the trail fades into the wild. Upon emerging from the forest and reaching the final ridge, you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking sight of the Mendenhall Glacier’s jagged facade and its majestic ice river. Here, we pause to savor panoramic views of the glacier, indulge in hearty snacks, and capture awe-inspiring photos. As you gaze upon the glacier, admire the deep blue crevasses and cascading icefall at its base. This captivating vista not only encompasses the glacier but also the surrounding mountains and the mighty Nugget Falls. This invigorating Juneau wilderness hiking tour is not for the faint of heart; it demands exceptional balance and sure-footedness. The trail includes 800 feet of elevation gain, through rocky, uneven, and slippery terrain. It’s a memorable journey that promises unforgettable natural wonders. what_is_included: * Professional Guide * Roundtrip van transportation * Forest Service permits * Rain gear (hooded jacket and pants) * All safety gear (trekking poles) * Hearty snack pack * Souvenir water bottle what_is_not_included: We provide all the gear on our trips except for personal clothing and hiking boots. Regarding the weather, we recommend you prepare for rain and hope for sunshine. Due to the cool, damp climate, it is best NOT to wear cotton or denim and instead, wear clothing made of polyester, wool, fleece, nylon, polypropylene, and/or capilene. You are more than welcome to bring personal items on any of our tours (Camera, reusable water bottle, food, layers, etc.).
Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle & Hike
The Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike is our most sought-after adventure, an experience that has welcomed families, photographers, writers, and even esteemed guests like the BBC, Good Morning America, Gayle King with CBS This Morning, and O Magazine. Your incredible journey begins with a leisurely stroll through the Tongass National Forest, celebrated as the world’s largest temperate rainforest. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the majestic Sitka spruce and hemlock trees, creating a lush and vibrant tapestry of green. This enchanting walk through nature’s splendor will eventually bring you to the picturesque canoe launch site, setting the stage for the next chapter of your adventure. Your experienced canoe guide will provide essential paddle instructions, ensuring your safety and enjoyment throughout the journey. Once equipped with your gear, you’ll step aboard our spacious canoes, accommodating either 8 or 12 passengers, and set your course toward the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. Witness Arctic tern nesting grounds and the cascading Nugget Falls as you glide past, with stunning views of the glacier in the distance. As the glacier draws near, feel the cool breeze and keep your eyes peeled for freshly calved icebergs. As you reach the beach, it’s time to leave the canoes behind and embark on a short hike through the rocky terrain. This part of the journey provides you with an intimate perspective of the glacier, allowing you to witness its grandeur and get a firsthand look at its rapid recession. Throughout the hike, your expert guide will share their knowledge, offering valuable insights into the glacier’s remarkable history, behavior, and ever-changing dynamics. Discover the glacier’s ancient legacy, shaped through countless millennia of carving the landscape. Explore this ancient ice age wilderness and marvel at the breathtaking ice features that unfold from the edge of the glacier. Constantly changing, the glacier offers a unique experience each day. Renowned as one of the most visited and beloved glaciers in North America, the Mendenhall Glacier offers a quintessential Alaskan experience. what_is_included: * Professional Guide * Roundtrip van transportation from downtown * All paddling equipment * Forest Service permits * Rain Gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants) * All safety gear (helmet, and trekking poles) * Hearty snack pack * Souvenir water bottle what_is_not_included: We provide all the gear on our trips except for personal clothing and hiking boots. Regarding the weather, we recommend you prepare for rain and hope for sunshine. Due to the cool, damp climate, it is best NOT to wear cotton or denim and instead, wear clothing made of polyester, wool, fleece, nylon, polypropylene, and/or capilene. You are more than welcome to bring personal items on any of our tours (Camera, reusable water bottle, food, layers, etc.).
Norris Adventure: Seaplane, Paddle & Glacier Hike
Experience 3 iconic Alaskan adventures—flightseeing, glacier hiking, and packrafting—all in just 5 hours! This is Juneau’s first multi-sport adventure of this kind. Packrafting is one of the fastest growing sports in Alaska. This Packraft adventure begins with boarding a six-passenger floatplane and taking off from the water. The scenic flight will head towards the mouth of the Taku Inlet, a gateway to flowing glaciers of the Juneau icefield. Keep an eye out for mountain goats, black bears and moose along the way. After landing on the Norris Glacier fed lake, hike over the glacially carved terrain to a cove where your packraft awaits. From here, you will be outfitted in single person packrafts and introduced paddling techniques by your guides. Once you launch your packraft, your paddle to the glacier will take you past icebergs, all while taking in the stunning mountain and glacier landscapes around you. As you approach the glacier, prepare to beach your boat right on the Norris Glacier, your guide will assist you in getting out of your packraft and into micro-spikes. Explore the moonscape-like area of the glacier all by foot and get panoramic views of Norris and Taku glaciers. Look for crevasses, glacier pools, moulins, and other incredible ice features. Glacier features come and go throughout the season, just like the ebb and flow of our glaciers. Upon completion of your glacier hike, slide back into your packraft and paddle back to shore. Your floatplane awaits to take you back to Juneau. what_is_included: * Professional Guide * Roundtrip van and floatplane transportation * All paddling equipment and glacier gear (helmet, microspikes, and trekking poles) * Forest Service permits * Rain Gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants) * Hearty snack pack * Souvenir water bottle what_is_not_included: We provide all the gear on our trips except for personal clothing. Regarding the weather, we recommend you prepare for rain and hope for sunshine. Due to the cool, damp climate, it is best NOT to wear cotton or denim and instead, wear clothing made of polyester, wool, fleece, nylon, polypropylene, and/or capilene. You are more than welcome to bring personal items on any of our tours (Camera, reusable water bottle, food, layers, etc.).
Paddle With Whales Kayak Adventure
Step aboard our comfortable 6-passenger motorboat for an extraordinary journey through the Inside Passage, heading to the most abundant humpback whale feeding area and one of Alaska’s prime kayaking destinations. As we set sail towards the Channel Islands State Marine Park, your seasoned captain and kayak guide will lead you on an incredible wildlife viewing adventure within this vibrant and diverse ecosystem while you kayak with whales. The Channel Islands serve as a thriving habitat for an array of marine life, including humpback whales, orcas, steller sea lions, porpoises, various bird species, and seals. Your knowledgeable kayak guide and boat captain will lead you through this dynamic natural history experience, sharing their local expertise about the area while actively searching for the best wildlife encounters. Upon arriving at a secluded beach, your guide will acquaint you with the kayaks and provide a brief introduction to this unique mode of exploration. In no time, you’ll glide across the serene waters in double kayaks, embarking on a quest for more intimate wildlife interactions. As you paddle, you’ll be surrounded by the breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped peaks and meandering glaciers that adorn the distant horizon. This active eco-adventure was voted as one of the top 10 Best Kayak Tours by USA Today in 2023. It is designed to accommodate participants of all experience levels, granting you a remarkable opportunity to witness the grandeur of Southeast Alaska’s landscapes and seascapes while immersing yourself in the captivating world of its wildlife from a fresh and unforgettable perspective. what_is_included: * Professional Guides & Boat Captain * All equipment & tandem kayak * Rain Gear (hooded jacket, rubber boots, and pants) * State Marine Park permits * Roundtrip van transportation location & water taxi * Hearty Snacks and lunch * Souvenir water bottle what_is_not_included: We provide all the gear on our trips except for personal clothing and hiking boots. Regarding the weather, we recommend you prepare for rain and hope for sunshine. Due to the cool, damp climate, it is best NOT to wear cotton or denim and instead, wear clothing made of polyester, wool, fleece, nylon, polypropylene, and/or capilene. You are more than welcome to bring personal items on any of our tours (Camera, reusable water bottle, food, layers, etc.).
Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing
Join us for an unforgettable brown bear viewing adventure at the renowned “Fortress of the Bears” within the Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary, the premier coastal brown bear viewing area on Admiralty Island. Your day begins with a trip briefing and safety orientation led by your experienced wilderness guide, followed with a breathtaking 25-minute floatplane flight to Pack Creek. Upon landing, you’ll be warmly greeted by the dedicated rangers of Pack Creek. Your guide will then lead you on a journey along the very paths the bears tread, guiding you through shoreline and forest trails to prime brown bear viewing locations. Known as the “Fortress of the Bears,” Admiralty Island holds the Tlingit name Kootznoowoo, and it lives up to its title with an impressive brown bear population of approximately 1,800 brown bears. This island boasts one of the highest bear densities in the world, with roughly one brown bear per square mile. It’s home to about 10% of Alaska’s entire brown bear population, making it one of the most densely populated brown bear areas on the planet. From the banks of Pack Creek, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to observe bears in their natural habitat, whether they’re clamming or foraging on beach greens, salmon fishing in the creek, or enjoying a nap in the tall grass. While we can’t guarantee wildlife sightings, the abundant bear population in the Pack Creek vicinity seldom disappoints. Brown bears are most active during mating season (late May – June) and annual salmon runs (late July – August). We are grateful to the Tlingit village of Angoon for allowing us to share this part of their homeland with our guests. Pack Creek is an ecosystem teeming with diverse flora and fauna, providing abundant nourishment for the thriving brown bear population on Admiralty Island. Eagles soar over Admiralty’s lakes, their calls echoing in harmony with the diverse bird population. This experience is a true gem of Southeast Alaska, offering visitors the chance to closely observe and photograph wildlife in their natural environment. Highlights: * Experience the thrill of viewing brown bears in their natural habitat * Enjoy a scenic float plane flight to Admiralty Island * Learn about the brown bears of Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary and their unique ecosystem * Capture stunning photos of these amazing creatures
Waterfall Creek Peak Season Brown Bear Viewing
Begin your wilderness adventure with a scenic 30-minute floatplane flight. Be sure to have your camera ready as you glide over amazing landscapes and look out for marine wildlife below before touching down at Waterfall Creek. This is a relatively unknown, remote wilderness location that provides unmatched brown bear viewing during the peak of the salmon run, late July-August. After landing, disembark from the floatplane and wave goodbye to the Alaskan bush pilot. The primary viewing spot is a short walk down the rocky shoreline. Follow the sounds of the waterfall and splashing salmon, as the guide hikes the group to the viewing location. Brown bears may be seen at any time while ashore. The guide will direct to the best spots for viewing and photography. Groups will spend most time seated, quiet, and still to enhance the opportunities of seeing bears. While we do occasionally have close encounters, our goal is for the bears to ignore us and engage in their natural behaviors. After enjoying four hours of brown bear viewing, hike back to where your floatplane is waiting to whisk you back to Juneau. This is truly an Alaskan wilderness adventure! From the banks of Waterfall Creek, we’ll have the opportunity to watch bears fishing for salmon. While wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, the abundant bear population of the Waterfall Creek area rarely disappoints. Brown Bears are most active during the annual salmon runs (late July and August). Highlights: • Scenic 30-minute floatplane flight to Chichagof Island • Experience the thrill of viewing brown bears in their natural habitat • Opportunity to see bears fishing for salmon • Capture stunning photos of these amazing creatures
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