Advanced Trek

Ice Canyon Walk Through Matanuska Glacier

Advanced Trek Blue Pool Alaska Matanuska

Take your Matanuska Glacier Experience to the Next Level.

This trip is appropriate for adventurous travelers seeking a full day of glacial exploration. Our experienced guides will take you to a remote area of the glacier and use a rope and anchor systems to safely access some of the most spectacular features of the Matanuska including moulins, crevasses, and blue pools.

Your day begins with a demanding 2 mile hike over uneven glacial moraine to a remote area of the glacier past the crowds. Depending on your group’s ability and pace, this hike takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half and involves walking over loose rocks, muddy ice, and steep slopes. While strenuous, this hike allows our groups to escape the larger crowds on the lower glacier and access some of the most beautiful features the Matanuska has to offer. This trip is best suited for those looking for a demanding yet rewarding glacier experience.

Guests on this trip can expect 3-4 hours of white ice glacial exploration. Your time on the ice includes a mixture of hiking to scenic vistas and using ropes to scramble up non-vertical walls and walk to the edge of large crevasses and moulins. Please keep in mind these activities involve height exposure.

What to Expect:
- A full day on the Matanuska Glacier, including 2-3 hours of demanding moraine hiking and 3-4 hours of stunning white ice exploration (total time on moraine vs. white ice depends on group ability and pace). In total, guests can expect to hike approximately 6 miles on this trip.
- Guided exploration of exciting glacial features and stunning views in a remote area of the Matanuska Glacier.
- A faster-paced, smaller group than the Ice Fall Trek [1:4]
- A closer look at spectacular glacial features including, crevasses, moulins, deep canyons, blue pools, and (potentially) ice caves.
**If you are a group of 5 or more, don’t worry! Give us a call/email and we can chat about adding a second guide to a time slot.

Must be able to walk at a brisk pace over uneven terrain for this trip. Minimum age: 12 years.

*Our Advanced Trek fee does not include the Glacier Park Access Fee, which must be paid upon Check In at the MICA Base. The current fee is $25 per person but is subject to change; we have no control over this access fee.*
What to Bring:

For the Advanced Trek we require you to have:
- A backpack with room for gear. If you don’t have one, we have some available for you to use!
- Long Pants
- Hiking boots that come over your ankle. If you don’t own a pair, we have some available for your use!
Our recommendations on clothing and gear:
- Quick dry clothing (not cotton). Usually a good pair of hiking pants works great. Ski pants and jackets are not necessary
- Rain gear, even if it isn’t raining
- Liner gloves
- Long synthetic or wool socks
- Extra warm layers
- Snacks and water or a packed lunch ORDER HERE
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Camera
What NOT to bring:
- Bear Spray
- Fire Arms
- Alcohol
Must be able to walk at a brisk pace over uneven terrain for this trip. Minimum age: 12 years.
- Glaciers are dynamic and constantly changing; certain features are not available for the entirety of a summer season. While this trip is your best chance to see an ice cave, please be prepared that this feature may be unavailable at the time of your trip.
- Ability level of all group members. If you are a party of 2, you will likely be paired with others. The best way to ensure your group has the best day suitable for your objectives and abilities is to book a *Private Tour*. On a custom trip, your guide can tailor the day to what your group wants to see and set an appropriate pace for all group members.
Book now and you’ll receive valuable promotional codes for the following:

Save 35% on the Extreme Zip Adventure

Save 15% on Luxury Camping
“Advanced Trek Far Exceeded My Expectations
We went on the Advanced Trek of Matanuska Glacier with Scott. The entire experience exceeded my expectations. Scott was very safety conscious, informative, and worked well with the team which made for a very enjoyable and rewarding day. The moderate physical activity was well worth it. I highly recommend this trek with MICA Guides.”

No experience needed for this trip but you should be able to walk at a brisk pace and be comfortable scrambling over uneven terrain.

This trip does not include vertical ice climbing though you may occasionally scramble up short ice walls. Great photo opportunities and a chance to do a little more without committing to an entire day of ice climbing. Smaller groups [1:4] and a faster pace than our Ice Fall Trek. Total time on ice varies by group, typically back by 5pm.

Note: All trip times are approximate and include travel to and from the glacier

Book Advanced Trek

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Ice Climbing

No experience needed!

Here's your chance to try out ice climbing...on a glacier! Fun for all skill levels, no experience needed. Fantastic photo opportunities.

Ice Climbing

Here's your chance to try out ice climbing...on a glacier! Fun for all skill levels, no experience needed. Fantastic photo opportunities.

Learn More »

Learn More

907 Bowls

Our to-go Gluten-Free quinoa bowls are packed with nutrients and flavor to fuel your next adventure.

Grab our To-Go lunches before your trip and enjoy fresh healthy ingredients from our kitchen while playing outside. Lunches include a quinoa bowl of your choice, a side of super food salad, and a homemade cookie!