Also, visit the popular attractions … Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! The first mile up to Portage Pass was a bit steep and slippery with gravel. … Bis zum Beginn des 20. Leave A … My dog found all the people and other dogs a little over-stimulating and I had to leash him. Portage Glacier is one of many glaciers on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Hiking the Portage Glacier. Gorgeous views. The hundred mile paddle across PWS is a right of passage for Alaska kayakers. An amazing sight for someone not from Alaska who may have never seen a glacier in real life. The Moraine Loop Trail, accessible from the path to the lodge, is a five-minute stroll through typical moraine vegetation; Portage Glacier occupied this ground only 100 years ago. Getting there. Hike Along The Scenic Byron Glacier Trail On This Easy, Family Friendly Adventure. West Swan Lake Cabin is in a very remote area on the Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska. The first mile up to Portage Pass was a bit steep and slippery with gravel. The glacier ice has since receded 3 miles up and around a bend in Portage Valley. Also parking can be difficult if you go later. Basically up until this point, I was just scouring the Alaska MilePost Book looking for random glaciers that we could hike or paddle to. Along the Portage Road, there are several glaciers with short easy hikes to the base of the mountains from which they flow down. Once winter hits, the lake freezes and allows visitors to make the trek across and around a bend to reach the glacier. Very rocky for most of the trail, and the first mile is quite steep. 1500 Byron Glacier … May be easier on a day with better weather and more visibility though. Two hikes are within walking distance of the visitors center. Chair 5 is very popular with locals! Portage Glacier once … There you can explore the wide-open shores of Portage Lake just beyond the end of the trail. Be the first to leave a review! I was excited about hiking to Portage Glacier but didn’t get my hopes up just yet since I knew that we still had to check the conditions when we arrived. We found it kinda hard to find the trailhead on the way back from the lake. Portage Glacier is one of the most approachable glaciers in Alaska with multiple ways to see it including hiking Portage Pass and a boat tour across Portage Lake. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Hikers, bikers, skiers, skijourers, and snowshoers will form a 3 mile trail out to Portage Glacier. Drive out on the highway to Girdwood, and turn left at the sign that says "Portage Glacier". There you will be blown away by stunning Portage Glacier view and beautiful ice formations on the lake. Explore the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Kayak Across Alaska's Prince William Sound. Turn left at the Portage Glacier Cafe (401 Portage Lake Loop) to purchase tickets. Both … Although the Portage Glacier is in retreat which makes it impossible to see from the Boggs Visitor Center observation decks, there are still ample opportunities to view this glacier. Again, we wouldn’t recommend this boat as you probably would need binoculars for how far it remained. Thanks! Like most big adventures in AK, it’s a daunting proposition to launch into what locals refer to as both beautiful and terrifying. Bird Ridge Trail is an intense hike going pretty straight uphill the entire 2.5 mile trek to … Make sure to tune your arrival and departure according to the schedule (in on the 30 out on the hour). The view of the Glacier and the surrounding area was breathtaking. Portage Glacier Road is located south of Anchorage, Alaska, at the end of Turnagain Arm (just before the Seward Highway curves onto the Kenai Peninsula). Definitely inclined for the first mile as stated previously. Portage Glacier in located in Chugach National Forest and is one of Alaska’s most visited attractions. This trail is for winter use only when snow covered. Portage Glacier liegt im Chugach National Forest und ist eine der meistbesuchten Attraktionen. Portage Glacier is located 55 miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska. Either hitch a boat ride on the M/V Ptarmigan (operated by Portage Glacier Cruises; $39/adult, $19/child) for a narrated tour of the lake and close-up views of the glacier. Hikers, bikers, skiers, skijourers, and snowshoers will form a 3 mile trail out to Portage Glacier. It's a conservation center so they have a great mission. The adventure begins with the drive … The view of the Glacier and the surrounding area was breathtaking. Need to Know The visitor center is closed during the winter months. It’s a short, steep hike to Portage Pass from the Whittier side of the tunnel, with a stunning head-on view of the glacier and its rise into the mountains. Portage pass trail is a beautiful, scenic trail in Whittier, Alaska. The view of the Glacier and the surrounding area was breathtaking. All around the top of the pass are side trails to explore, if you're so inclined. The trail starts at Portage Pass Trailhead and … Overview Hike across frozen Portage Lake to its namesake glacier in the spectacular Chugach Mountains. Got to see two glaciers and a few waterfalls. Rocky the entire way but not slippery. Less than 5 miles up the valley, the trail crosses Portage Glacier Road again and climbs a very short and steep rise before descending rapidly to the southeast corner of the Begich, Boggs Visitors Center parking area on Portage Lake, where it ends. Two hikes are within walking distance of the visitors center. I highly recommend going to the left at the first turn and walking along a somewhat new trail (not the one show on AT). Byron Glacier Trail is a 0.8 mile one way hike with 100 feet elevation gain. If you read our Ultimate Alaska Roadtrip blog, you know that at the very top of my list for Things I Must Do was to Kayak To and Climb on Glaciers. Water on almost all of the trail but doable. Also parking can be difficult if you go later. Granite Creek Campground is set in the captivating Kenai Mountains, surrounded by wildflowers and spruce forests. Heavy rain and fog but still incredible. Bird Ridge. The Portage Glacier Lake Hike is cool because you can only do it in the winter. If you think you can make it to Portage Glacier without getting wet, you can't. Probably one of the best bang-for-your buck hikes I've ever been on. Would highly recommend wearing solid hiking boots, waterproof if possible, as you will be basically walking on a creek and lots of mud throughout. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/portage-creek-trail-of-blue-ice First mile or so is challenging incline on loose rocks. There are a few benches for hikers to rest. Hiking the Portage Glacier. Passed the elevation marker the trail was a little more difficult to read due to large puddles and many branch offs and it was way less defined. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your It can be short — just an hour round-trip to the pass and back — or much longer — a few hours to hike all the way to the glacier … Very fun! There is one beautiful glacier that is approachable by hiking, biking, or skiing during the winter. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a short hike with amazing views. Portage Glacier. Portage may be a ghost town in the winter as a result of the 1964 Good Friday earthquake, but during the summer it is a bustling destination for travelers coming to witness Portage Glacier calving into blue waters full of floating ice and resident sea mammals. Portage Glacier is in retreat, and is no longer visible from the center’s observation decks and telescopes, but the center is still an interesting stop thanks to exhibits that let visitors walk through a simulated ice cave, view live ice worms or touch an iceberg. lovely icebergs in the lake, Crow Pass, Crystal Lake and Barnes Mountain Trail, Historic Iditarod (Crow Pass) Trail to Dew Mound, Mystery Pass to Longspur Falls via Berry Pass. Other than that it was a good hike, with I’m sure, better views when the clouds and fog are gone. Upon reaching the top of the pass, climbing around 800 feet in a mile and a half, Portage Glacier and Portage Lake come into view. The hike to Portage Glacier is my all time favorite hike and if you have time for only one glacier view near Anchorage, this is my top recommendation. Well, it starts in the quirky town of Whitter and to get there you have to drive through N. America’s longest mountain rail tunnel. If you’re looking for something to add on that’s short and has a great view, you need to hike the Byron Glacier Trail. Upon reaching the top of the pass, climbing around 800 feet in a mile and a half, Portage Glacier and Portage … Hundreds of people per day will make the trek to the glacier. The glacier can be accessed through the Portage pass trail which is very close to Whittier. It's a pretty long and winding hike down and the view of the Glacier from the lake is not really worth the long trek. Of course, it really is an awe inspiring sight. Access is via the Seward Highway, about 50 miles south of Anchorage. Just this one view was well worth the effort of climbing the mile and a half. Looking for an amazing hiking adventure? You can view some of the trail in the beginning section of my trip video: Portage Glacier once extended the entire length of Portage Valley. This trail is … Icebergs from the glacier bob in the waters of … The Byron Glacier trail is a great hike near Anchorage. September 14, 2018 September 14, 2018 / kyokoandbriansalaskanadventure. In what seems like no time ... You'll see tons of animals including bald eagles, bears, moose, muskox, lynx, reindeer, and wolves! Portage Glacier Map Dennis 2020-03-07T05:10:51-09:00 At the head of Portage Valley, about fifty miles south of Anchorage, at the end of scenic Turnagain Arm, lies the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. The Visitor … The hike to Portage Pass and Portage Lake is probably one of the most beautiful hikes in Alaska. Starting from the trailhead, which is just on the Whittier side of the Portage tunnel, you'll hike up 800ft in one mile on a mostly wide, rocky trail. Visit The Begich Boggs Visitor Center: Learn about the surrounding glaciers and Chugach National Forest. The rugged mou... Overview Kristi walked in front of me, serving as my canary in the coal mine. Overall great hike and loved all the views! Ten stories tall and miles long, Portage Glacier sits at the far end of a lake, and is accessible by boat. If you bring your dog, make sure he or she has a good recall or is leashed. Better to go with hiking shoes and trekking poles. The mv Ptarmigan cruises Portage Lake multiple times daily throughout summer on one-hour tours to the face of this icy wonder. We hiked to Portage Glacier fairly early in the morning to beat the crowd and heat. Bird RidgeIf you want to say you've hiked a steep Alaskan trail, head for Bird Ridge . Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is built upon the terminal moraine left behind by Portage Glacier in 1914. Portage Glacier is one of many glaciers on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. What makes this so great? From Portage Pass, it is another mile downhill to Portage Lake. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Can only do this hike when Portage Lake is frozen, which is usually December through March. Middle glacier can actually be climbed to, as long as you're careful. Hiking Options. Summer in Alaska is unlike anything else on Earth. The trail is wide but lined by alder and some pine making the scenery not much to look at. Hiking to the glacier is much more fun and less nerve-wracking with a companion. The trail takes you up to the top of a landing, where you can see spectacular views. Not too long, but long enough that you feel you earn it. The area around Portage and Whittier is the homeland of the Dena’ina and Alutiiq people. Atop … The hike to Raven Glacier, which sits in Crow Pass, is the first portion of the famous 24-mile Crow Pass trail that runs from Girdwood to Eagle River. 9/2 Monday When we took the Portage Glacier boat tour, the park ranger said that there is a hiking trail from Whittier to the lake. It’s 2 miles and 750-foot climb in elevation to the pass. 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