OVERVIEW

Paddle across the placid waters of Mendenhall Lake to Mendenhall Glacier, an ever-changing river of ice that is surprisingly close to Juneau. You will paddle across the water’s surface in a 12-person canoe that will present some of the most extraordinary scenery in Alaska as the Tongass National Forest surrounds the glacially fed lake. You can expect to pass an Arctic tern nesting ground and Nugget Falls, a roaring cascade that plunges nearly 400 feet before tumbling into Mendenhall Lake. Once you round a rocky peninsula, the glacier’s sheer face will come into view, a stunning sight especially if a large block of ice calves off with a thundering crack. The guides will describe some of its features, which include deep crevasses, vertical shafts known as moulins and seracs, which are towering columns of ice.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle past icebergs, waterfalls and arctic tern nesting cliffs.
• Step out of the canoe and hike over the rock terrain carved out by the glacier.
• Get an up close and intimate perspective of the glacier from the edge, all while learning about the recession of the glacier and the wilderness that surrounds it.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience a genuine Alaskan adventure while supporting the official state sport! Take an exhilarating sled ride and play with husky puppies, all in the heart of the lush Alaskan rainforest. Upon arrival at this authentic summer training camp for mushers and their sled dogs, you'll participate in a sled dog summer training run on a custom designed, wheeled summertime sled. Discover the power of a team of Alaskan huskies as they whisk your sled down a mile long trail through the depths of the Tongass National Rainforest! Then join a dog handler and sled dogs for interactive demonstrations on mushing equipment and the impeccable care the dogs receive.

Your dog handler will also entertain you with knowledge about the training, history, races and inspiring efforts required by this sport. Admire the untamed beauty as you walk across a suspension bridge overlooking Fish Creek. This camp is surrounded by moss-covered forest with huge spruce and hemlock trees. Then cuddle up with a husky puppy and take your picture with one of these adorable future athletes! This excursion is the perfect mix of Alaska’s culture, history, adventure, rugged wilderness, and of course sled dogs and puppies. Complimentary refreshments are provided.

OVERVIEW
Cruise to a trailhead in America’s largest national forest and then hike to a pristine lake, where you may kayak, fish or simply relax around the crackling campfire. The adventure begins with an immensely scenic boat ride of about five miles to Camp Coogan Bay and then on to a trailhead that offers easy access into the pristine wonderland of Tongass National Forest. You can expect to hike under a canopy of towering hemlock, spruce and cedar trees that shade an understory of evergreens. Along the way, the guide will point out the most interesting flora and fauna and describe their roles in the ecosystem. In time, you will hike past a waterfall, eventually arriving at a pristine mountain lake, where you will enjoy free time. Few places are as peaceful and majestic as the Tongass National Forest, an area that avid outdoorsman Theodore Roosevelt established as president in the early 1900s.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise through pristine bay waters to a trailhead in the Tongass National Forest.
• Follow a winding trail through Tongass, the world’s largest intact rainforest.
• Observe the flora and fauna that the naturalist guide points out and describes.
• Pause at a waterfall on the way to a mountain lake.
• Enjoy time to do as you please while at the mountain lake.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This guided tour of the south end of Sitka is geared for those guests who want to see a part of Sitka that visitors rarely experience, get some exercise and enjoy the beautiful landscape and fresh air that Alaska has to offer. You’ll bike along the coastal road with breathtaking ocean vistas and stunning Silver Bay for about two miles. Upon arrival to the trail head, you’ll hike in the world's largest temperate rain forest.

Along the way, guides will share their knowledge of the flora and fauna as well as local history and culture with you. During your hike enjoy waterfalls, streams, and the beauty of the temperate rainforest. The pace of the hike is set by guests and typically one to two miles in length. Guests then return to their cycles for the 2 mile ride back to the bike center, where a shuttle will return them to the pier. All riders are required to wear a provided helmet. We recommend comfortable shoes and clothing.

Retrace the historic gold rush route to the Klondike while coasting down from the White Pass Summit on a bicycle! This fun tour starts with a 20 minute van ride to the top of the 3,292 foot pass. Along the way your knowledgeable guides versed in the ecology and history of the area will inform and entertain you. After a bicycle orientation and safety briefing, enjoy the refreshing outdoors and scenic splendor while you cruise downhill on your bicycle for 15 miles on the paved road back to Skagway. Stops are made along the way for photos of waterfalls, the White Pass Yukon Railroad, glaciers, wildlife and the majestic mountains. This exciting excursion offers a unique way to tour Skagway and the surrounding area.

Spend hours exploring the wilds and roads less traveled on Chichagof Island in a Jeep Wrangler designed for outdoor adventure. You will travel along old logging roads that were built to harvest valuable timber such as hemlock, spruce and cedar trees. The route will cut through some of the most spectacular, undeveloped countryside in Alaska. The fifth largest island in the United States, Chichagof lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

Experience the beauty that surrounds Juneau with friendly, local guides. On the van ride to the departure point, hear about Juneau's history plus interesting information about the city. You'll be fitted with a disc brake bicycle, helmet, and water bottle and you’ll receive a safety briefing. Your first stop is by the Chapel-by-the-Lake, a lovely old log chapel with a spectacular view of Auke Lake and the Mendenhall Glacier in the background. Your ride continues to the west side of the Mendenhall Glacier, with a beach stop for a short break.

You’ll then proceed to the visitor area at the east side of Mendenhall Glacier. This portion of the ride includes a one mile trail ride through the rainforest. At the end of the ride, you'll have a chance to spend time admiring the glacier. The ride covers approximately 8.5 miles on a mostly flat road with some rolling hills. Next travel by van to Merchant’s Wharf, an old sea plane hangar in downtown Juneau and a landmark in aviation history for a taste of award winning beers from micro-breweries around Alaska.

OVERVIEW

Ride an electric bike inland to Connell Lake while admiring the natural beauty of the surrounding Tongass National Forest. As you will discover during the initial briefing, the electric-enhanced bicycle will boost your pedal power, allowing you to ride farther and negotiate hills with considerably less effort than with a conventional bicycle. It’s only about three miles to the Connell Lake, all of it staggeringly beautiful. Sitka black-tailed deer are commonly seen along this route. The flora is also exceptional, especially the carnivorous sundew plants that consume insects that they trap on their sticky pads. Upon reaching the lake, you will learn how it was created in 1952 by damming several creeks to provide millions of gallons of freshwater to the Ketchikan pulp mill. The dam continues to feed water to different resources throughout the community even after the pulp mill closed more than 25 years ago. Before pedaling back, you can relax around a campfire under a canopy of coniferous trees or walk a short nature trail.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pedal an electric-enhanced bicycle to and from Connell Lake, a roundtrip of about six miles.
• Gain a historical perspective of the manmade lake, which once provided millions of gallons of freshwater needed to operate the Ketchikan pulp mill.
• Learn about the indigenous flora and fauna from the naturalist guide.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Look for wildlife while zipping along the rugged coastline in an open-air, high-speed boat. You will ride in a Rigid Hull Inflatable vessel that is 27 feet long and designed to race through the sea with maximum maneuverability. The exact route will depend on the weather conditions, but you can expect to enjoy close-up views of tidal flats and land animals such as brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer. The seas here are also teeming with iconic Alaskan animals. You may spot humpback whales breaching the water’s surface, pods of orcas, frolicking sea otters and sleek seals. Be sure to look up, as bald eagles and puffins also make their homes in the area. Along the way, the captain will throttle back and elaborate on the importance of the waterways to the native Tlingit, many of whom still follow a traditional lifestyle around Icy Strait Point.

Your guide will meet you at the Kayak Center to escort you to the staging area for an orientation and safety instruction. The protected waters of Port Frederick are yours to explore as you set off from the beach at Icy Strait Point in your two person wilderness sea kayak. Led by your safety certified, local guide, you'll paddle along the Hoonah waterfront enroute to quieter waters where bald eagles are often seen. Keep your eyes open and your spirit of adventure high throughout this 2 1/2 hour tour as humpback whales have been known to feed along the very same route you'll be paddling.

An Ocean Rafting Adventure is the perfect way to make your visit to Sitka an exciting and unforgettable one. You’ll begin by being equipped with state of the art gear for this adventure. The gear includes a coast guard style exposure suit, balaclava, safety glasses and gloves. At up to 30 mph fun on the waves comes with a blast of fresh air in the open seating of raft. Specially designed straddle seats provide comfortable and secure seating for this exciting trip out into nature. This thrill ride takes you off shore in ocean waters where you'll fly over the ocean swells while watching seabirds glide past.

Watch for whales and sea otters on your way to explore the ravaged volcanic coastline of Kruzof Island. While exploring this coastline you’ll get up close to towering cliffs, where sea birds nest and go right into volcanic sea caves (weather permitting). At opportune times the Captain stops the boat and shuts down the engine so you can listen to the surf crashing off of volcanic cliffs and the songs of nesting seabirds or for whales breathing. Welcome to a world filled with the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean. This is an intimate glimpse of Alaska’s wild splendor that will excite your senses and leave you with lasting memories.

Board your motorcoach for a scenic 10 minute drive to Knudson Cove, a private waterfront estate in the Tongass National Forest. Upon arrival, guides will instruct and outfit you with safety equipment in an open air forest pavilion. Your adventure begins as you ascend into the trees and gravity pulls you along the ziplines. Nestled on a platform in the park, keep an eye out for eagles and ocean views. You can take an optional challenge route that leads you across swinging logs and rope bridges. Feel the speed and acceleration of the ocean zip, where you'll land above the water on a freestanding platform. Then take the final zip to the take the UTV up the hill to the 50 foot climbing tower where guides will show you techniques to climb to the top and safely auto belay to the ground. For those that are less adventurous, guides can assist you in skipping elements if you choose. You’ll complete 6 ziplines, with time to shop for souvenirs before returning to the pier.