Juneau Helicopter Glacier Trek: First-Time Alaska Must-Do

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Aboard the Sapphire Princess on my very first cruise. Here I am in our stateroom Penthouse C408 suite, so excited for this day's cruise port excursion - a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter glacier trek.

The adventure starts on the ground with a thorough safety briefing from your knowledgeable guide. They’ll outfit you head-to-toe with all the essential gear. They take care of everything.

What Was Provided for the Helicopter Glacier Trek

• Climbing Harness
• Helmet
• Crampons
• Ice Axe
• Mountaineering Boots
• Gaiters
• Waterproof Jacket
• Waterproof Shell Pants
• Gloves
• Hip Pack
• Water and a Light Snack (to keep our energy up)
• Plus 3 tour veterans with a combined 30 years of glacier trekking experience.

Northstar Trekking used a turbine-powered A-Star (Airbus Helicopters/Eurocopter AS350) for our flightseeing and glacier walk, which held exactly six people (one pilot and five passengers).

We both were lucky enough to get the window seats but had to sit opposite of each other with other adventure seekers in between us.

The terrain mimicked an infinite snow cone. If you squint your eyes just a little and focus on the specks in the distant glacier, we could already spot red jackets of those already trekking on the glacier. B-E-A-utiful...!

The yellow tent is a shelter for the guides who have to stay on the glacier to prepare and organize the equipment. Although we had light winds, the wind chill made you feel like Frosty the Snowman at the drop-off zone. But once we hiked right against the glacier, we were protected from the wind.

On September 24, 2012, in Juneau, Alaska, we experienced a typical autumn day - mostly cloudy skies and periods of light rain.

Temperatures in the daytime was 46°F to 52°F at sea level with light winds, but at higher elevations (for example, at the Juneau Icefield), conditions were notably colder, often hovering 24°F to 32°F, resulting in light snowfall.

I don't recall why I was waving my hands up in the air. Was it to feel the "light" winds?

We would spend the next two hours and about two miles exploring this frozen wonderland on foot with our guides. Crampons on (...with a little assistance... Thank you)!

Peering into the heart of the glacier 💙

Our first big “Wow” moment on the NorthStar Trekking glacier hike was stopping at this stunning moulin — a deep, swirling vertical shaft carved straight into the ice by melting water. Have you ever seen a melting ice waterfall?

Harnessed securely to a safety line, we took turns carefully walking along the edge of the ice cliff where the waterfall poured into the moulin. The roar of the water, the intense blue of the ice, and the sheer scale of it all was absolutely mesmerizing. We wondered, "How many hundreds of feet is the water plunging to the bottom of the glacier?!"

Heart racing — one of the most unforgettable moments of our Alaskan adventure!

We were absolutely blown away trekking on the Mendenhall Glacier — especially by how massive it felt up close! The ice face near the terminus was often well over 100–150 feet tall in places. Standing next to the towering blue walls felt like walking against a city of ancient ice skyscrapers.

As I held my ice pick, I recall how we had also researched Helicopter & Ice Climbing Tours, which usually operates from May to late September, but either we didn't have stable weather or favorable ice conditions to safely access Mendenhall Glacier's crevasses and walls for the adventure. Another great reason to return to Juneau.

One of our guides scouted ahead looking for ice caves.

Update: Now 2026, it’s hard to believe that just 14 years ago — in September 2012 — the Mendenhall Glacier reached nearly 3,500 feet (0.6–0.7 miles) further down the valley than it does today. In that relatively short time, this mighty river of ice has retreated dramatically, pulling back from where it once calved directly into Mendenhall Lake. Everywhere you'll see new forests are beginning to grow on land that was buried under ice just over a decade ago.

It’s a powerful, up-close reminder of how quickly our planet is changing — and why experiencing these ancient glaciers while we still can feels so meaningful.

Glacier Water Bar is Now Open!

One of the coolest (literally) perks of our Mendenhall Glacier trek? Filling our water bottles straight from the source — fresh, crystal-clear meltwater straight off the ancient ice! We dipped our bottles into a small glacial stream and took that first icy sip. It was so crisp, pure, and refreshing. Nothing beats drinking glacier water while standing on the glacier that made it.

It’s also the most expensive “free” water you’ll ever drink!

The Glowing Blue Ice Grotto

Our guide led us to this hidden gem on the Mendenhall Glacier — a shallow but incredibly beautiful ice cave with a gentle stream of meltwater flowing right through the middle. Although it wasn't a large cave tunnel we could walk through, its vibrant turquoise blue glowing from within the ice was absolutely mesmerizing!

Evidence of the ever-shifting ice landscape. Standing here, you really feel how alive the glacier is — constantly cracking, moving, and reshaping itself. Nature doing what it does best!

Flightseeing Over the Tongass National Forest & Juneau Icefield

Back to the helicopter to continue the Mendenhall Glacier flightseeing. We soared high above the dense coastal rainforest, jagged granite peaks, and vast rivers of ice, incredibly lucky to capture several aerial photos even with the rain and sleet. It’s the kind of scenery that makes you realize just how wild and massive Alaska really is.

We were flying deep within the Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest and one of the most pristine temperate rainforests on Earth. From the air, the contrast was breathtaking: lush green mountainsides covered in Sitka spruce and hemlock gave way to the massive white and blue expanse of the Juneau Icefield. Waterfalls cascaded down steep rock faces, and ribbons of meltwater carved through the ice below us.

The clouds kept the famous Mendenhall Towers (those dramatic, jagged granite spires that rise dramatically above the icefield) partially hidden that day.

The Mendenhall Glacier we had just trekked on was only one of 38 major glaciers that flow out of this enormous Juneau Icefield. Stretching roughly 100 miles from the outskirts of Juneau all the way to the British Columbia border, the Juneau Icefield is a massive remnant of the last Ice Age. From the air, you could see its incredible scale — a seemingly endless sea of jagged blue ice, deep crevasses, and snow-covered peaks disappearing into the clouds.

The entire area we flew over — including the Mendenhall Glacier and much of the surrounding icefield — is protected within the Tongass National Forest. The Tongass National Forest encompasses nearly all of Southeast Alaska’s coastal rainforests and includes Mendenhall Glacier (and the Juneau icefield it flows from) is part of the Tongass.

If you’re visiting Alaska for the first time on a cruise, this 4+ hour Helicopter Glacier Trek in Juneau might just become the highlight of your entire trip.

For first-time visitors, like us, to Alaska, this tour strikes the perfect balance: thrilling, accessible, and unforgettable. It’s one of the best ways to truly experience the massive Juneau Icefield (including Mendenhall Glacier) up close instead of just admiring it from a distance.

**Pro Tip for Cruise Passengers:**
Book this as a port excursion early — it’s one of the most popular adventures in Juneau and books up fast, especially during the summer and early fall seasons.

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