Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure
Your trip to the Laughton Glacier combines a scenic train ride aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway with a wilderness hike to the magnificent Laughton Glacier where you have an opportunity to HIKE ON A GLACIER! This is an out-and-back trail through the Tongass National Forest. The hiking speed of each tour determines the length of the hike, typically the whole hike is 6-8 miles.
For 33 Years Packer Expeditions has been Skagway's premiere Eco Tourism Agency! We've grown alongside Alaska's robust tourism and cruise community and have dialed in our services to be THE BEST Eco tour, ANYWHERE in the world!
The Laughton Glacier trail is world-class, not only because of the hard work and dedication of the Juneau Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest but also because Packer Expeditions has invested countless days into trail improvements and maintenance. This trail exists as a testament to the care and love that our guides have poured in over 3 decades of tours!
Options
Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure
What's included in Laughton Glacier Hike and White Pass Rail Adventure
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
All Aboard! Our journey begins on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, the only way to get to the Laughton Glacier Trailhead without chartering a helicopter. While on board, you will receive your lunch sandwich, snacks and water in a provided lumbar pack to bring with you on your journey. Enjoy the breathtaking mountain views from the train as you ride along this historic railroad. Get to know your guide, listen in to the world class narration on board and get ready to go hiking! At the end of our hike we will ride the same train back to Skagway, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Once the WP&YR drops us off at the trailhead, we will gear up to get going! After a brief safety talk, get outfitted with what you need to succeed on the trail! (All clients are provided with ice creepers for traversing the glacier ice, and trekking poles if they desire.) At the end of our hike, we will stow our gear and take a much deserved rest as we await the WP&YR to pick us up and take us back to Skagway.
The Laughton Glacier sits approximately 3 miles from the Laughton Glacier Trailhead. Our tour hikes to the Glacier where we then gear up with provided Ice Creepers and then hike on the glacier! We explore the glacier and all the amazing features it has to offer. From bubbling glacier water flows, moulins plunging into the darkness, crevasses scarring the glacial landscape and even sometimes mysterious fountains of ice water. After we take a rest to enjoy the stunning landscape and eat lunch, we start our journey back to the trailhead to catch our train back to Skagway.
Inclusions
- Our lunches are premade to order by a local restaurant!
- Restroom on board
- All guests receive assorted snacks (trail mix, granola bars, candy bars and fruit gummies.) Don't worry if you get jealous of other peoples candy bars, our guides carry plenty of extra for everyone!
- We provide all clients with a lumbar pack as well as ice creepers, trekking poles, beanies, gloves, rain gear and warm layers.
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet your guide near the Centennial Statue, next to the Locomotive 52 Display on Broadway. Please be 10 minutes early so one of our guides can meet you there, verify your tickets, see your Passports and then the adventure begins!
End Points
- We can provide transfers for any and all guests who would like a ride back to their ship at the end of the tour.
- The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad drops us off at 12th and Spring. This is a great location to walk into Historic Downtown Skagway from if you want to explore everything Skagway has to offer.
