Theres no easy part here the trail simply goes up and up and up. They then drilled sideways, clearing space for the nine vehicle turnaround areas. Supplies were received behind schedule, mainly due to the war. The event has been held since 2002, except it was not held in 2010. 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. Prohibitions. A fun childrens playground is across from the AWCC gift shop. [2][7] The staging areas on either end of the tunnel can accommodate as many as 450 vehicles waiting to pass through. The road continues along Passage Canal for a short distance, while traveling towards the Alaska Marine Highway (AMHS) pier. It's a fun marine outing, suitable for families with children, known for lively commentary by its guides. Its still another 3/4 mile downhill to Portage Lake. Once they were destroyed, the existing rail was removed in sections. Scientist Thomas Mendenhall gave the glacier its current name in 1898. The adventure begins with the drive from Anchorage to Whittier down Turnagain Arm, which is considered one of the worlds most scenic. 2-5 day small ship explorations. The main portion of the highway traveling from the western terminus to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Lake is designated as National Forest Highway 35 by the United States Forest Service (USFS). Glacier Hikes Near Anchorage FAQs | Glacier City Tours [38], In 1940, the U.S. Government realized that it needed to reevaluate its territories, including Alaska. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 47 min to complete. These counts are taken using a metric called annual average daily traffic (AADT). The tunnel is 445 feet (136m) long[11] and constructed of concrete. Road access is via the Seward Highway to the former town of Portage, which was flooded and subsequently vacated following the 1964 Alaska earthquake. The plan called for the existing railroad to be transferred to Whittier, and for the construction of a road to Seward (the Seward Highway), a road to the Richardson Highway (the Glenn Highway and the Tok Cut-Off), and a road to the Portage Valley (the Portage Glacier Highway). Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. A large amount of glacier is actually underwater in Portage Lake, more than 100 feet deep. The route follows the Portage Glacier Highway for approximately 5 miles (8.0km), passing several park campgrounds and scenic turnouts. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Alaska was declared a vulnerable attack target, as was the existing railroad connecting Anchorage and Seward. Hike High Above The Treeline And Spot Portage Glacier On This Beautiful Trail In The Chugach National Forest. How do I get to Portage Glacier? | Hiker Rest Stop The trail itself is about 1.5 hours round-trip. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. From here, a series of small cairns lead you down the slopes alluvial plain to the wide gravel beach across the lake from Portage Glacier. Google Maps Apple Maps The Portage Pass Trail near Whittier is a stunning moderate hike that goes over Portage Pass and leads to Portage Lake. [47] During the late 1970s, a proposal was put forward for a road to Whittier. The highway is approximately 6.6 miles (10.6km) long, and is mostly designated along the Portage Glacier Highway. Multiple great excursions are available from Whittier. Operated by Gray Line of Alaska and staffed by Chugach National Forest naturalists, these one-hour cruises across Portage Lake start at 10:30am, with the last tour at 4:30pm. The designation then shifts from Portage Lake Loop Road to Byron Glacier Road, which proceeds southward past low-lying marshland along Portage Lake. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); If you want to see the glacier but skip the hike, you can take an hour-long scenic cruise on Portage Lake. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Continue down towards Portage Lake and if you are considering skipping this part think again, as most hikers find the overlook near the lake to be more stunning than panorama from Portage Pass. This page is not available in other languages. Then youll experience the two-plus-mile-long drive through the Whittier Tunnel, a World War II relic designed for one-way train use. It is a rocky path that gets pretty steep, and there a few points in which you may need your hands a bit (nothing too grueling). There are numerous little ponds, or tarns, scattered around the lumpy landscape in this area all of it carved by glaciers. Portage Pass Trail, hike to Portage Glacier, Whittier Free shuttle bus tours are offered eight times a day. Depot Road splits away from the highway, which continues for a short distance along Dock Access Road before reaching its eastern terminus, the AMHS pier. Otherwise it can bring weather that would put the sma Mount Alyeska is an out-and-back where you may see local wildlife located near Girdwood, Alaska. The Portage Glacier, in south-central Alaska, is viewed by thousands of visitors annually who come to the U.S. Forest Service Begich, Boggs Visitor Center located on the road system between Anchorage and Whittier, Alaska. The project would be named the "Whittier Access Project". [43] Also around that time, a road in Whittier in the location of the present highway existed as a graded, dirt road. [13], Vehicle convoys enter the tunnel in alternating directions every half hour. A short, 0.25 miles (0.40km) long boardwalk trail and the 4.6 miles (7.4km) long Trail of Blue Ice are accessible through the Moose Flats Day-Use area. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. and Terms of Use, Use code TRAVEL23 for 20% site wide + free shipping $45+. Take a boat tour to see Portage Glacier. The trail starts at a well-marked pullout, about half a mile from the end of the road. Potential to camp higher up on a ridge. On average it takes 1 hour to get from the parking lot to the top. How to Get to Portage Glacier. If youre cruising into or out of Anchorage, this is your stop. Yes, there is a hiking trail to Portage Glacier from the Whittier side of the tunnel. The trail is a real-time demonstration of how an ecosystem rebounds from the ice age, with large trees and forest giving way to alder thickets, which in turn morph into lichen-dotted rock only recently exposed by retreating ice. How long does it take to hike Portage Pass Trail? 2-5 day small ship explorations. The blue colors show the current position of Portage Lake and the main retreat of Portage Glacier. From here on, theres no definite path, but you can wander in several directions. The ceremony was attended by around 300 people. It allows a close-up view of a glacier with rugged, mountains in all directions. Depending on the weather, you may be able to see some of these chunks of ice sticking out of the lake below. A temporary bridge was built over Portage Creek so that the tunnel could be constructed. [42] In addition to the accidents, crews had to work in extreme weather. The glacier, once so near, has now retreated far behind the north buttress of Byron Peak. Senator Mark Begich) and Hale Boggs (majority leader of the U.S. Senate and father of journalist Cokie Roberts), whose plane disappeared in the area in 1972. This hike must be done in the deep of winter! Follow the winding, mostly flat trail through a rocky, verdant alluvial plain that is now interspersed with tall alders and a smattering of cottonwood and aspen trees. After winding down through the brush, the trail pops out onto a gravel embankment. You can still see the glacier by boat, but to see it by foot, you have to hike the length of Portage Pass Trail. Beginning from the western entrance, Kiewit drilled away several feet of the rock face from the top of the tunnel and installed a net to prevent any potential rockfalls. Portage Glacier is at the far end of the lake, just around a slight bend. A 20-minute film, Retreat and Renewal, describes the changing world of Portage Glacier. Photo Lisa Maloney. From there the trail decends down past Divide Lake and ends at Portage Lake. Starting at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center (Near Byron Glacier Trailhead), there will probably be a trail on the lake already. Large areas of the rock were blasted away with dynamite. [38] The U.S. Army hired the West Construction Company of Boston, Massachusetts, to assist in the construction of the future railroad's two tunnels. Despite the opposition, on April 3, 1941, U.S. Congress passed a bill providing the project with $5.3 million (equivalent to $105,448,400 respectively in 2022[39]). The estimated AADT for the Portage Glacier Highway is 1,030 vehicles. This portion of the route terminates at the Placer Creek Bridge. Which one is right for you? Byron Glacier descends from the same ice field that feeds both Portage Glacier on the lake and Blackstone Glacier in Prince William Sound. Ice caves to explore. I take requests! Once you exit the tunnel, take the first turn to the right it is marked with a trailhead sign. Of course, conditions may change when you visit. [33][34] The Dena'ina people continued using the valley as a passage between Cochrane Bay and the Turnagain Arm. It is a great hike that rewards you with a view of Portage Glacier; in fact, it is the only establishedtrail with a view of Portage Glacier! There is no cell service at Portage Glacier for most people (last verified May 2023). How long does it take to hike Portage Pass Trail? Turn sharply left and you can look directly up the length of Lenard Glacier to where it disappears high above around the backside of Maynard Mountain. However, this Glacier is still very active and continues to have pieces of its face shatter and fall below into the lake. The city, including roads, began to form. Day Cruise During summer, most people approach Portage aboard the 80-foot MV Ptarmigan with Portage Glacier Cruises. [7] At this point, the highway is a two-lane, asphalt road. Guide-book quality info for over 8,000 trails View Map Map Data: OpenStreetMap ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. The hike is approximatelytwo mile in length, one way (four miles roundtrip). Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. [2][8] Peaks of the Chugach Mountains, along with several hanging glaciers can be seen from the road; Portage Glacier is out of view. Chugach National Forest - Begich, Boggs Visitor Center How long does it take to hike Flattop Mountain? During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Portage Glacier terminated on land at the western end of Portage Lake, filling Portage Lake with ice (Photo Plate 1914). Portage Glacier. [15] The interior is exposed rock, and contains several "safe-houses", which are small buildings that are used in case of severe earthquakes, vehicle fires, or other emergencies. Emerge from the tunnel to see Passage Canal and glacier-draped mountains rising along its flanks. Official websites use .gov A .gov FAX: (907) 743-9476. The highway is made up of a series of roads, bridges, and tunnels that connect the Portage Glacier area of the Chugach National Forest and the city of Whittier to the Seward Highway. Follow the trail down the hill. Overwhelmed by choices? As you arrive at the lake, the trail passes onto a wide gravel beach. The view at the pass Work on the project was ruled off until at least mid-July of that year.[58]. FFH-35 begins at an intersection with the Seward Highway (AK-1) in Portage. The fish platform near Williwaw Campground is a good place to see spawning red and chum salmon in late summer. The trail was usable until 1939, due to the continuous recession of the Portage Glacier. The town government also approved of several long-term changes to the city that would begin after the road was opened, including a second harbor, a bicycle trail, a new sidewalk system, and shopping center. So I guess you could do that, if you wanted to. After a while you will reach Portage Pass, with a stunning overlook towards Portage Glacier. Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. "The weather is always shitter in Whitter." Bring a rain jacket and some long hiking pants. The area around the pass is really nice, and you could easily make this spot your destination. Transportation and Public Facilities, Chapter 17.38. The Best Glacier View Hikes Near Anchorage, Alaska 5 Glacier Hikes Near Anchorage - Andrea Kuuipo Abroad Whittier's location made it a large tourist location, and after the military pullout, travel to Whittier grew massively. This hindered progress on the tunnel. Anchorage Girdwood Things to Do in Girdwood Portage Glacier Portage Glacier See all things to do Portage Glacier 4.5 1,073 reviews #4 of 19 things to do in Girdwood Geologic Formations Closed now 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About A popular tourist attraction. Among these were more parking facilities and increasing public restrooms. Chugach National Forest - Home - US Forest Service Since you started near sea level, its about an 800 foot climb to get to Portage Pass. Here, tundra-carpeted mounds beside the trail offer plenty of places to take a break. By the end of 1941, workers had tunneled more than 170 feet (52m) into Maynard Mountain. Look 30 feet down into a gorge as the run-off from nearby snowfields and glaciers rumbles through. [23] The entire length of the highway is designated as an Intermodal Connector Route,[24] part of the National Highway System (NHS),[25] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility. Western end of FFH-35 designation, Visitor Center access road. " Beautiful hike " Jul 2020 Bring some water as the first part of the hike up the mountain is pretty strenuous (but well worth it). 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 and back. The final hike down the hill to the trailhead was no problem at all. Towards the end of the road, it Ys and you take a right, then another right. The bridge, which is just 83 feet (25m) long,[11] spans over Placer Creek, the smaller of the two creeks feeding Portage Lake. Portage Glacier Winter Hike - Live, Travel, Teach Big ship or small ship? The highway continues to the six-lane Bear Valley Staging area, and the toll booth for the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. While crews were working on the tunnel, a drunken Whittier resident drove his or her truck into the tunnel and got it stuck on the rails. Portage Glacier is located in Chugach National Forest, and is bordered by Portage Lake. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Almost immediately after the Seward Highway intersection, the road crosses over the Coastal Classic line of the Alaska Railroad. The 2 miles (3.2km) long loop Williwaw Nature Trail is accessible through the Williwaw Campground. The trail provides views of the Middle Glacier. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Visit Spencer Glacier | Travel by Scenic Rail. Hike, | ALASKA.ORG How long does it take to hike Portage Pass Trail? 6 miles Route Type Out-and-Back Description Added by Anna Ferntheil When conditions allow, this six mile (rt) hike, bike, skijour, ski, etc rewards you with a beautiful view of Portage Glacier! The U.S. Armed Forces began planning for new roads and railroads, and on October 15, 1940, General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. announced those plans. [22] In addition to taking AADT, the AkDOT&PF also takes monthly and yearly counts for the highway. [64] The official opening ceremony was held on June 7 and was marked by protests from environmentalists. District judge James Keith Singleton, Jr.'s opinion[54], James Keith Singleton, Jr., the district judge overseeing the case, ruled in favor of Armbrister and the Federal Highway Administration and stated that the agency was correct in its decision against improved rail service. In the 1800s the Portage Glacier completely smothered the lake below however, it began retreating throughout the 20th century and exposed the 600 foot deep lake that lay beneath it. [11] It allows the highway to cross over the small Portage Creek, which drains Portage Lake, in turn fed by Portage Glacier. But, my time was limited, and I was already calculating my hiking time to avoid a long wait at the tunnel. During the past century, the terminus of the glacier has retreated nearly 5 kilometers to its present location (fig. This 1.4 mile trail offers an easy walk for all ages. How Do You Get to Portage Glacier? Explore and book active vacations in over 80 countries. The tiny pond at the pass provides a nice reflection of the surrounding mountains when the wind is calm. The roadway bends eastward, passing the USFS Williwaw Campgrounds, as well as several small gravel roads. In order to get right up to the glacier, Portage Lake needs to be completely frozen over. The tunnel is at .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}604659N 1484554W / 60.783N 148.765W / 60.783; -148.765. Around February, Portage Lake is often frozen solid-solid enough to make walking safe. [15] The tunnel's eastern terminus is in Whittier. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. To access the trailhead you must drive through the Whittier tunnel. ( [62] On October 23, a thirteen-car train derailed at the western entrance. When you look up, the low brush allows views of the steep, cliff-streaked slope of 4,000-foot-plus Maynard Mountain, as well as the massive rock of 3,718-foot Shakespeare Shoulder across the narrow valley. This short day hikewith an easily accessible trailhead a few hundred meters from the Begich Boggs Visitor Centeroffers you big views of the Byron Glacier. Soon you will reach the small Divide Lake and Portage Pass. Yes you can walk on Portage Glacier, however the first part of the walk is easy terrain but as you get closer it begins to get rocky and you will have to cross small streams and boulders. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! Now the lake extends from the beach in one large gray expanse. Turn east on the Portage Glacier Road and drive about five miles to the shore of Portage Lake. Be the first to leave a review! How far is Portage Glacier From Anchorage? The suit was compared to the landmark 1971 case Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe, wherein the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of Memphis, Tennessee citizens attempting to protect Overton Park from a plan to route Interstate 40 through 26 acres (11ha) of its forest. You will be surrounded by lush greenery and bushes almost all the way to the pass. [42] The first part of the tunnel construction involved vertically and horizontally expanding the existing rock walls. [8][21], The highway is maintained by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (AkDOT&PF). The first phase of construction consisted of building the Portage Creek Bridge and the construction of a new tunnel through Begich Peak. As you approach the glacier, the forest thins out to display views of the rugged cliffs and glacier andif you turn aroundPortage Lake and Valley. The massive 1964 earthquake dropped the land 6-10 feet, flooding Portage with saltwater, but you can still see ruins of the old Portage Garage, along with a ghost forest of dead spruce trees. Section 17.38.035. All of our Alaska guides Table of Contents [ show] About the Portage Pass Trail Distance (round trip): 4.2 miles Elevation gain: 1,433 feet Reviews & Current Conditions Nestled within a mountain on the edge of Portage Lake is the Portage Glacier. Not too long ago, you could walk from Begich, Boggs Visitor Center on the western end of Portage Lake down to a beach and reach out and touch the big, blue chunks of Portage Glacier. Settle yourself onto the gravel and listen to the water lapping on the shore. Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. Wonderland & Berkeley Park Trails, Mount Rainier. The 18-acre bear facility (largest in the United States) is particularly impressive, with an elevated walkway to separate people from the brown and black bears. The Name The Visitor Center was named in memory of Congressmen Nick Begich of Alaska and Congressmen Hale Boggs of Louisiana. The trailhead for the 1-mile Byron Glacier Trail is just over .6 miles ahead on the right. These rulings were legally significant as they appeared to overturn the precedent established in the Overton Park case, which was interpreted as saying that "it must be shown that the implications of not building [a] highway pose an 'unusual situation'". Youll know youre here when you see the sign, and the trail splits in several directions. When the visitors center first opened in 1986, the glacier was readily visible, but it is now out of sight around a corner, and in recent years the number of icebergs entering the lake has decreased greatly as it continues to shrink as the climate warms. They used Portage Creek for fishing purposes and established a series of trails along the creek. Since the early 1900s, the glacier has receded, leaving Portage Lake in the scoured basin. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Construction of the highway, done by Herndon and Thompson Inc., was finished before tunnel work began. The view at the pass itself is breathtaking. Follow this road, and the first parking lot on your right is the one for you. What happened to the Portage Glacier? Traveling past several businesses making up central Whittier as well as the city park, used for Whittier Parking and Camping, the highway turns east and intersects Glacier Avenue, as well as a short pedestrian pathway. The Guide to Portage Pass Trail, Alaska | 10Adventures Williwaws sites can be reserved ($10 fee). Parts of the route were first constructed in the early 1900s, and the entire highway was completed on June 7, 2000, as part of the Whittier Access Project. It's an easy-to-moderate trail that takes you up to a beautiful pass, then down the other side to Portage Lake and Portage Glacier. Passing by the Cliffside Marina and the Alaska Railroad Whittier Depot, the route crosses over Whittier Creek before immediately making a left onto Whittier Street, crossing the railroad and bending southeastward and traveling past a large parking lot, the headquarters. Youll enjoy beautiful views of Passage Canal (Whittiers inlet on Prince William Sound) on the way up, and views of the glacier on the way down the other side. However, access to this glacier is private and requires payment. Centuries ago, the glacier extended across the entire 14 miles of . While that was being completed, some crews installed a series of anti-icing insulation panels and drainage pipes to keep the tunnel clear during winter months. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Alaska's Portage Glacier Directions: General Notes: Portage Glacier has advanced and retreated over the years, due to climatic fluctuations. Byrons exposed terminus is a quarter mile further up. [26], The Portage Glacier Highway offers numerous scenic and recreational opportunities, mostly located along the section designated as FFH-35. Portage Glacier: Hike to View Portage Pass - See 1,070 traveler reviews, 593 candid photos, and great deals for Girdwood, AK, at Tripadvisor. Anchorage, Alaska99501 Portage Pass Trail: 1578 Reviews, Map - Alaska | AllTrails Suggest edits to improve what we show. All the while you continue hiking steadily toward two stone towers rising against the sky in the pass above. The popular Trail of Blue Ice departs from the Visitor Center and parallels Portage Glacier Road along the valley floor. [55][56] The ACE held that a new highway was not needed and improving the existing rail service was a prudent and feasible option. The tunnel also contains several pull-outs, which are reserved for disabled vehicles. Why not try. This road passes along the coast of Portage Lake,[12] and borders a large, man-made cliff to the north (hence the name "Rock Cut"). [2] The highway continues in a southeasterly direction along the Portage Valley, with Portage Creek to the north and pine forests to the south. Whittier, one of the wettest places in Alaska, often lies under lots of clouds, which makes for potentially hypothermic conditions. Notice the big, rounded mountain on the left thats Maynard Mountain, through which the Anton Anderson tunnel passes. The tunnel originated as a rail-only tunnel excavated in 194142. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. At a length of 13,300ft (4,100m), or 2.51 miles, it is the longest highway tunnel and longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America. How long is the hike to Byron glacier? Traffic heads into Whittier on the half-hour, and out of Whittier on the hour (subject to . The tunnel schedule allows you to enter or leave Whitter every 30 minutes and . [27] Whittier annually holds the Walk to Whittier, which is an event where pedestrians walk through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier, the only time pedestrians may use the tunnel. The gravel beach on Portage Lake would be a great place for a picnic lunch. Its an easy-to-moderate trail that takes you up to a beautiful pass, then down the other side to Portage Lake and Portage Glacier. Our Portage Glacier Raft and Hike Tour offers views of the closest glaciers to Anchorage in the Chugach National Forest. As you climb steadily up the old road that now forms the trail, you pass glacier-scraped stones and slabs both on and alongside the trail. Shortly you will pass the Divide Lake along the trail where you willcontinue straight. One option is to take a tour from Anchorage . How to See Portage Glacier: Summer vs Winter