Book a trip with one of Skagway's guide services and hike to and on glaciers with professionals. Packer Expeditions offers tours to the Denver or Laughton Glacier via helicopter or train. Half-day and day hikes are available and will get you onto the glacier's moraine and sublimation zone (snow free area at the end of the glacier's tongue.) Custom glacier trips are available. Packer is permitted for glacier landings via helicopter on the Norse, West Creek, California and Paradise Glaciers.
Packer Expeditions
P.O. Box 601
Skagway, AK 99840
907-983-3005
packerexpeditions.com
For a self-guided hike onto glaciers, drive on the Dyea Road, outside Skagway by two miles, to the AB Mountain Trailhead. Hike in six miles over the high mountains onto Mount Cleveland. From here you will leave the trail and ridge-walk. Follow the ridge to any number of un-named glaciers along the mountains. You can access cirque and alpine/hanging glaciers along the ridges. Bring extra food, water, GPS or map and compass, extra clothing and a camera. There are dozens of glaciers accessible from the Mount Cleveland trail.
On the other side of the Skagway Valley from Mount Cleveland is the Lake Dewey Trail System. Access these trails behind the Westmark Hotel off Broadway. Hike to Upper Lake Dewey, a lung and knee buster gaining over 2,000 feet of elevation over a two-and-a-half-mile hike. Once at the lake, hike to the Laughton Glacier or the ice field of Paradise Valley. Access any number of tongues and branches off the main ice field. Bring extra food, water, clothing, GPS and map (USGS Skagway B-1 (NORTHWEST)) and compass, sunglasses and sun protection. If you get in trouble while on the ice field, look for the established dog sledding camp that runs tourist trips. The guides and dog handlers are always glad to help and welcome adventurers to the camp.
