Mendenhall Glacier Canoe & Gold Nugget Falls

OVERVIEW

Paddle through the tranquil, iceberg-dotted waters of Mendenhall Lake and pause at the face of Mendenhall Glacier to behold the enormous river of ancient, bluish ice. Following an orientation briefing, you will ease into a traditional native canoe that accommodates 19 people and begin your paddling adventure. Glacial waters feed the pristine lake and small icebergs that have calved from the glacier typically bob along the surface. The experience of canoeing through this unique landscape will leave with a greater appreciation of the glacier’s majesty. The view will be especially memorable when you stop at thundering Nugget Falls to stretch your legs and enjoy a snack. A relic of the last ice age, Mendenhall Glacier is named for Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, a physicist that helped determine the boundary between America and Canada when he was superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a native canoe through the unspoiled waters of Mendenhall Lake.
• Stop near the face of Mendenhall Glacier to behold its enormity.
• Walk the shoreline where Nugget Falls roars into Mendenhall Lake.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a camera to capture the breathtaking scenery.