top of page

The Best Hike in Juneau Alaska: Herbert Glacier

  • Writer: The Millers Daughter
    The Millers Daughter
  • Nov 8, 2024
  • 5 min read

Juneau does not disappoint. This place is a "bucket list" destination for more reason than one. From whale watching, to glacier tours, chartered boats and helicopter rides, getting here is special treat.


Hiking in Juneau, hits a little different too. Little squirrels run across your path, ravens lull in the distance, and overhead soaring wide a noble eagle flies. Looking up on the mountainsides a white speck or two moves in the far distance, the horned mountain goat strides.


In Juneau, they are all the best hike for one reason or another but Herbert Glacier is something special.


A Breathtaking Glacial Beauty

Like something out of a fictional novel or fantasy film, the views at the end were worth the following days of hip pain for me and knee pain for my partner. Once you make it through the easy part, the flat part the trail begins to get more tricky. The abundance of rain that is common for Juneau through-out a lot of the year can mean some high cold water.

Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau

This dance through the tall thin Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock's is like a path in fairy tale. Mushrooms delight the serene green moments of tranquility. In the quiet you can almost hear the giggles of the fair folk.

Large Moss Covered Stone Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau
This large mossy stone has stories to tell that are centuries old.

The Trail

If you are prone to cold extremities (like myself) be sure to wear good waterproof boots and not sneakers. Or bring a towel and remove your shoes and socks before getting them wet. This water is cold for those with poor circulation, even in the warmest of summer days.


The openness of the trail allows you to wander with ease into its inviting depths. As you walk for an hour or two you will come across an old rusted out car. Parked and left to deteriorate into the earth. A sign of what once was.

Rusted Antique Car Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau

Along the winding river there are also gorgeous little lake spots. One along the trail will have a bench and peaceful serenity. At the right time in august you will find dancing blue dragonflies and a pristine reflection of the trees.

Mirroring Lake Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau
The reflective view from the bench of this unnamed mirror lake.

Once the flat and wide trail ends, a rocky and wet part begins. Once you make it through this slightly confusing maze of thin trees, gray muddy silt, and water you will come onto the terminal moraine. Here you can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area and bask in the ambience of nature's glory.

Herbert River Banks and Moutnains Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau

If you are looking for even more of a challenge and a slightly closer look then head forward on the sediment toward the land outcropping in front of you and walk until it meets the rushing river.


Now the search begins for some colored rope and what looks like a way up. Use caution and don't do anything out of your comfort level. But, there will be a rope and if you can hoist yourself up and scramble over some rocks, you will find a sight before you.

Herbert River from Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau

The Future of Herbert Glacier - A Gold Mine?

Herbert Glacier is part of the Juneau Icefield which makes up many glaciers including the more famous Mendenhall Glacier and Taku Glacier. This icefield reached maximum glaciation point around 1700 and has been retreating since then. The terminus of Herbert Glacier has retreated 540 meters (about 1/3rd of a mile).


Previously covered in ice, the now exposed lands have caused mining rights and claims by Grande Portage Resources LTD. of British Columbia to do exploration drilling. Dubbed the Herbert Gold Project, this plan was enacted in 2023 and included diamond core drilling, geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and yields. The company reported drilling tests that yielded 60 grams of gold per metric ton at a depth of 8 meters.

Herbert Gold Project Drilling Map Veins for Gold Diamonds Grande Portage Resources LTD
The mining veins for the Herbert Gold Project.

Allegedly the state of Alaska is struggling financial and the city of Juneau made considerations in 2017to do away with laws that protect the land in that area to make it easier to set up a possible mine according to KTOO. Even though the tourist industry that is taking toll on the local economical infrastructure by raising the price of living and rent to locals in Juneau but is bringing in millions of revenue, apparently is not enough...


The Herbert Glacier itself is about 8 miles in length to the icefield while Herbert River is about 4 miles long. The current trail was rebuilt in 2003 and has been made into convenient and smooth overall path.

Washed Away Trees in Herbert River Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau
Large trees were washed downstream in the most recent rains.

Why Is It Called Herbert Glacier?

Although a quick search could not find the Tlingit and Haida peoples of Dzánti K’ihéeni (Juneau) name of this glacier and river, the modern name comes from Lieutenant Commander H. B. Mansfield. In 1890, he provided this name in honor of the 33rd Secretary of the United States Navy Honorable Hilary Abner Herbert. The attached Herbert River is part of this namesake.


Lieutenant Commander H. B. Mansfield is responsible for several of the names throughout the South East Alaskan stretch. These include the naming of Hobart Bay, Endicott Arm, Gambier Bay, and Naked Island.

Fantasy Mountain Range Juneau Alaska Herbert Glacier Best Hike in Juneau

How To Get To Herbert Glacier in Juneau Alaska

There are a few ways you can get to Herbert Glacier if you are looking to hike this magnificent trail. If you are bringing your own car in, then you will be arriving by ferry at the Auke Bay Terminal. If you are flying in, then renting a car at the airport will be your best bet. The chances of catching the glacier for a hike is much less if coming in for a day trip on a cruise. However, this makes seeing the glacier via a helicopter tour a much better option.


From the Juneau International Airport:
  1. Rent a car for the most freedom

  2. Exit the airport parking lot and take a left onto Yandukin Drive

  3. Take a right onto Shell Simmons Drive

  4. Take a left at the at the stoplight onto Glacier Highway (State Highway 7)

  5. Stay on this road (Glacier Highway / State Highway 7) for about 15 miles.

  6. You will pass Windfall Lake Trail and just past this will the parking lot on the right hand side of the road for Herbert Glacier Trail. If you see Eagle Glacier / Amalga Trailhead then you have gone too far.


From the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal:
  1. Exit the Auke Bay Terminal and take a left onto Glacier Highway

  2. Head north for 13 miles

The Herbert Glacier Trailhead will be on your left.


From the Cruise Ship Docks with a Helicopter Tour:

1. Almost all tour types will pick you up at the docks.

2. Allow for a 3 hour time frame of getting from the docks and back to the docks.

Satellite View of Herbert River and Glacier in Juneau AK
Satellite View of Herbert Glacier and River to Highway 7.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST HIKE IN JUNEAU HERBERT GLACIER TRAIL:

Can I bike the Herbert Glacier Trail?

Technically yes, but the last 2 miles does seem improbable. When we went there was so much water towards the end that it would be better to lock the bike to a tree at the end of this segment and go by foot for the rest.

Is the Herbert Glacier Trail and easy hike?

Technically yes, due tot he flat and wide path the glacier trail is well suited for all levels for the first 3/4ths of this hike. However, it can be a bit exhausting if pushing it on a time limit.

Can I touch Herbert Glacier?

By hiking to it you can visibly see and enjoy the glacier. However, you should not go up to the glacier due to the unpredictable nature of the retreating ice. If you take a helicopter tour you may be able to "touch" the glacier by landing on it towards the icefield versus its terminus moraine.

Us at Herbert Glacier

Most important rule: Enjoy every moment!

Comments


bottom of page