THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Fly from Juneau to a glacial lake, packraft past icebergs, then trade paddles for microspikes to explore the Norris Glacier by foot. This five-hour loop combines flightseeing, paddling, and glacier hiking with expert-guided safety.
Fly from Juneau to a glacial lake, packraft past icebergs, then trade paddles for microspikes to explore the Norris Glacier by foot. This five-hour loop combines flightseeing, paddling, and glacier hiking with expert-guided safety.
A low hum builds as the floatplane lifts from the pond outside Juneau, the inlet below opening like a high-latitude river daring you to follow it. Within minutes the world narrows to blue ice and water: icebergs bob, creeks braid into the inlet, and the Norris Glacier fields fan out, rough and bright under an Alaskan sky.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Above and Beyond Alaska · Juneau, Alaska
A low hum builds as the floatplane lifts from the pond outside Juneau, the inlet below opening like a high-latitude river daring you to follow it. Within minutes the world narrows to blue ice and water: icebergs bob, creeks braid into the inlet, and the Norris Glacier fields fan out, rough and bright under an Alaskan sky.
The landscape here records millennia. These glaciers carved Taku Inlet during the last ice age; local Tlingit families have traveled these waters for generations and still retain cultural ties to the shoreline villages. Geologically, Norris and nearby Taku are part of a dynamic fjord system where tides, meltwater, and glacial motion continually reshape moraines, bergy bits and proglacial lakes.
On this five-hour loop, travelers land on a glacial lake, hike over glacially scoured rock to a sheltered cove, learn basic packraft handling, then paddle past bergs to shore up on the ice. Guides outfit guests with rubber boots, rain gear and microspikes and assess crevasse hazards before any glacier travel; safety briefings and technique coaching are part of the rhythm.
Practical notes: be prepared for sudden weather shifts—waterproof layers and sturdy ankle-support boots matter. Participants should know how to swim, be ready to paddle about an hour roundtrip, and handle uneven, icy terrain for up to two miles. Groups return to their floatplane for a scenic lift back to Juneau.
This trip compresses flightseeing, alpine hiking and packrafting into one compact, high-energy experience: expect physical effort, close-up ice features, and the rare geometry of sea, sky and moving ice.
challenging.
5 hours.
High level of cardiovascular fitness and leg strength recommended; expect sustained paddling and uneven glacial hiking up to ~2 miles.
Roundtrip transport from pickup, floatplane flight, rain gear and rubber boots, paddling and glacier equipment, bottled water and snacks, and guide instruction are included.
Minimum age is 10 years old and the maximum weight per person is 250 pounds due to floatplane capacity restrictions.
Guides assess conditions and participant fitness—those with significant spinal, heart, or pregnancy concerns are not recommended; all guests must sign a liability waiver.
The operator may cancel or reschedule if conditions are unsafe; the cancellation policy allows a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before departure.
Taku Inlet has long been used by Tlingit communities; glaciers here shaped local travel routes and influenced settlement patterns along the coast.
Groups travel in small sizes and guides minimize impact by avoiding fragile ice features, packing out waste, and following Leave No Trace practices to protect the glacial and marine environment.
Above and Beyond Alaska operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A low hum builds as the floatplane lifts from the pond outside Juneau, the inlet below opening like a high-latitude river daring you to follow it. Within minutes the world narrows to blue ice and water: icebergs bob, creeks braid into the inlet, and the Norris Glacier fields fan out, rough and bright under an Alaskan sky.
A low hum builds as the floatplane lifts from the pond outside Juneau, the inlet below opening like a high-latitude river daring you to follow it. Within minutes the world narrows to blue ice and water: icebergs bob, creeks braid into the inlet, and the Norris Glacier fields fan out, rough and bright under an Alaskan sky.
The landscape here records millennia. These glaciers carved Taku Inlet during the last ice age; local Tlingit families have traveled these waters for generations and still retain cultural ties to the shoreline villages. Geologically, Norris and nearby Taku are part of a dynamic fjord system where tides, meltwater, and glacial motion continually reshape moraines, bergy bits and proglacial lakes.
On this five-hour loop, travelers land on a glacial lake, hike over glacially scoured rock to a sheltered cove, learn basic packraft handling, then paddle past bergs to shore up on the ice. Guides outfit guests with rubber boots, rain gear and microspikes and assess crevasse hazards before any glacier travel; safety briefings and technique coaching are part of the rhythm.
Practical notes: be prepared for sudden weather shifts—waterproof layers and sturdy ankle-support boots matter. Participants should know how to swim, be ready to paddle about an hour roundtrip, and handle uneven, icy terrain for up to two miles. Groups return to their floatplane for a scenic lift back to Juneau.
This trip compresses flightseeing, alpine hiking and packrafting into one compact, high-energy experience: expect physical effort, close-up ice features, and the rare geometry of sea, sky and moving ice.