Wallace_and_Gromit

I am looking at excursions at shoretrips.com (It was recommended) and I have an option of a small intimate " WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURE" or I can add $30 and 1.5 hours and do the " COMBO TOUR...WHALE WATCHING AND MENDENHALL GLACIER " I don't know the size of that boat.

Is the glacier worth it?

gail

How do you see the glacier on this trip - from the Visitor's Center or do you get to walk on it. I think I remember that the only way to walk on it is to land on it by helicopter - and that is quite expensive. We did that and it was certainly worth the large amount of money we had to pay for it - especially after I decided to open my terrified eyes on the helicopter flight to the glacier and see Juneau from the air (of a tiny helicopter with a seemingly 12 year old pilot)

But I have to laugh at the way your post/the excursion is listed - seems like they are advertising whales on the glacier. There are no whales on the glacier - even on a warm day.

Wallace_and_Gromit

Ha!Ha!

That is what they call it - the combo tour (but 1st you do one and then the other) I was just wondering if looking at the glacier was worth it.
We have an hour there - this is what it says:

Your guide will be on hand to provide narration once you arrive to the awe inspiring Mendenhall Glacier. An hour visit will ensure enough time for overlook point, plenty of pictures and time at the Visitor's Center.

I wish I could take a helicopter (I've been on a few seaplanes, but I can't afford it this time.)

Dandalee

Hey there,

I just got back from Alaska, and I would say you definitely don't need to spend $30 to have somebody tell you about Mendenhall Glacier. You can definitely find plenty of info on your own and you can also go hiking on the trails by the visitor center, which are really amazing. You're not going to get any closer with this tour guide.

But that being said, I wouldn't miss it either. Take a bus out there for $14 roundtrip and explore it yourself! Very pretty!

Daniel

bakerstreet

I also just got back from Alaska and we also did a whale-watching boat ride with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier. However, our add-on was less than $10 per person and was just a dropoff and pickup with no narration, etc. and we were there for less than an hour. You don't get to actually stand on the glacier, but you can see it, and you can walk down to the lake where small chunks of glacial ice are floating. I expected it to be underwhelming but since "everyone" goes to see it while in Juneau, thought we shouldn't miss it. I am very glad we went.

I am also extremely glad we did a helicopter ride to a glacier on another stop. It was very expensive but it was worth it, and now reflecting on our trip, the glacier aspect really stands out. That blue ice is stunning.

My vote would be to add the Mendenhall to your experience, unless you are going to have other glacier experiences. I agree you should be able to do that for less than $30 per person. Have a great trip.

PMJ

We were there last week and thought Mendenhall Glacier well worth the effort. We took the bus out- $14 rt. We also walked along the hiking areas and saw huge salmon swimming in the river, and there were bears reported in the vicinity, but we missed them. We did a whale-watching excursion with Harv & Marv in the afternoon. They will pick you up or drop you off at Mendenhall to save time.

Wallace_and_Gromit

I should have made myself more clear. I am DEFINITELY going on the whale watching tour. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to to this tour alone or do the combo which also includes the glacier.

I won't have time to take the bus out there myself. We are only in Juneau from 7am -3pm so that also means no Harv and Marv for me. Too bad. I heard very good things about them.

I like what I am reading about the tour operators shoretrips.com uses.

Thanks all for the advice. I think I would regret it if I didn't go to the glacier.

bakerstreet

You have made a good decision.

Have a wonderful trip.