The quickest way to see a glacier from Anchorage is to hop in a plane or helicopter, and soar over the sweeping glacier landscape. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Take ascenic float along aglacial river aAlaskan experience thats fun for the whole family. Transportation from Anchorage included. be an experienced outdoorsperson with training in glacier travel) or hire a guide. And on aclear day youll get an amazing view of Denali. They should be. Rather stay on your feet? Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Continue ontoIsland Road and stay straight. Take one of the classics, like flightseeing to Denali, or opt to explore one of the states hidden gems. Hop aboard an eco-friendly snowmobile in Girdwood and ride on groomed trails beneath massive, 7,000-foot glaciated peaks or visit the dazzling blue ice of Spencer Glacier. Whether you live in Alaska or are visiting, glaciers are one of the states most awe-inspiring and unique attractions. Just south of the Caribou Creek bridge near mile marker 104 on the Glenn Highway in the shadow of the Lions Head rock formation, look for the turnoff for the Caribou Creek Recreational Mining Area. Directions: Head north from Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. Since theyre friendly creatures, they may come right up to the fence to greetyou. Driving north from Anchorage isn't as instantly dramatic as going south, but within an hour you're immersed in stop-and-shoot scenery. The show isn't over when the boat turns for home. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Make sure to contact local visitors centers for information on current conditions. Keep reading for a few favorite Anchorage experiences. Excursions to Knik Glacier in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough have exploded in popularity during the winter, with fat-tire bikers taking a northern route that crosses a river. The hike is about 10 miles round-trip. Take an interpretive walk before hopping aboard thePtarmiganfor a one-hour cruise to the face of the glacier. Browse all points of interest on a map and enjoy a collection of audio guides. The glaciers near Anchorage are among the most accessible. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. At this farm, 45minutes from Anchorage, you can see some 70 musk ox, which are so friendlythey. The Matanuska Glacier makes for a great day trip from Anchorage, because there's lots to see and do in the area. Alocal theory on the creek name is that the crusty, old sourdough who lived down near the creek used mules for guiding hunts. You can visit the face of Portage by tour boat from the dock at the lake. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. The first half is well-maintained, with a wide path. The Exit Glacier is a short 1-mile loop that offers easy and epic views. However, access to this glacier is private and requires payment. Stunning scenery, athrilling ride and happy puppies: this tour out of the Anchorage area offers an unbeatable combination of classic Alaska experiences that will delight families orreally, anybody. Turn left towards Portage at Portage Glacier Road. See award-winning exhibits and the film "Voices from the Ice." Alaska glaciers are everywhere. Know what to look for from afar and upclose. As you follow the trail, youll stay right of the waterfalls and make your way past Crystal Lake. You can also join a guided hike on the Matanuska Glacier. United States ; Alaska (AK) Anchorage ; Anchorage Travel Forum; Search. Gate access will require payment to be made inside the building to your right. Players in the Alaska League must have attended one year in college, while having one year of eligibility remaining. Take off in ahelicopter for the thrilling experience of heli-flightseeing, landing on aglacier &safely exploringthe. Does the rental car need to be four-wheel drive? Trusted by locals, Hollywood producers, and even the White House, Ascending Path guides you expertly to select areas just minutes from Anchorage. There are many different types of tours, kayaking opportunities and public-use cabins in Prince William Sound. If you want to reach the face of the glacier, stand on top of it, or get inside some ice caves, then you will have to continue past the benches. Looking to break up your drive with ajog or bike ride? Traveling independently? And keep in mind some of these glaciers may be hard to access depending on the time of year you visit. Here you'll take a day cruise or kayak into Kenai Fjords National Park to see glaciers and wildlife. What can I do in the evening in Anchorage? Or, take the more challenging Nugget Falls trail that ends at a five-story-high waterfall neighboring the glacier. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. During the winter, frozen Portage Lake is a popular spot for skiers and bikers traveling to the toe of the glacier, although there are no park rangers around in case of emergency, so traverse the ice at your own risk. Glacial flour? On Byron, ice worms are common, if you get down and look. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Thats up to you! Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. There are few things more spectacular than lifting off in ahelicopter and soaring over Alaskas glacier-filled terrain or out across its shimmering waters. more, Take ahalf- or full-day cruise through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords. Portage Valley About an hour's drive from Anchorage on the Seward Highway is Portage Valley and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. Youll take off from Anchorage, and Alaska will open up for you as you appreciate its vastness from the air. Touring the spectacular tidewater glaciers of Prince William Sound is even more exciting when you do it ona. more, Faster than akayak and more intimate than aday cruise, this is agreat way to getup. With Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours, you can experience glaciers inaccessible by road. The Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area has 12 campsites, and a 20-minute walk to glacier-viewing platforms, but no direct access to the glacier. Regardless of your climbing ability or experience, youll end the day feeling fulfilled and inspired. The glacier itself is gigantic about 26 miles long and 4 miles wide at its terminus. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Bring a light jacket, and as always, dress in layers. Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage? 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Read more: How to See Portage Glacier: Summer vs Winter, Distance: 9 milesTime: 4 hoursDifficulty: ModerateDistance From Anchorage: 45 miles south. Follow Portage Glacier Road for 6.5 miles. Your destination is the magnificent Knik Glacier, where youll enjoy lunch and gorgeous scenery. And it's free! And that's exactly what you can do when you visit the Matanuska Glacier with Salmon Berry Tours. About 80 minutes north of Anchorage is the Hatcher Pass Management Area, a popular recreational area. It's a one-mile scenic walk to the glacier face along Byron Creek. Alaska Wild Guides will take you out for one thrilling day, or for several days of exhilarating adventure. Go with Alaska Wild Guides out of Whittier to experience the areas unique sights and sounds while skimming across the top of the water on your own personal watercraft. Backside Glacier with Ruth Gorge peaks pass by under the wing as Talkeetna Air Taxi pilot Kris Peterson flies a beaver airplane on a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park in 2015. It now has afour-mile wide towering face that you can walk right up to and touch. 1. Don't let Anchorage's city feel fool you, the big wilds of Alaska are close by. Glacier City Snowmobile Tours visits Spencer Glacier. How do I find authentic Alaska Native art? In fact, there are60 glaciers within 50 miles of Anchorage. This is a great option if you're short on time, but the price tag is higher than a tour by boat or other means. Follow Portage Glacier Road for 6.5 miles. Two glaciers are easily accessible in the valley. The train continues past Spencer Glacier to Grandview, where Bartlett and Trail glaciers can be seen. You can hike right up to Seward's Exit Glacier and feel the dense blue ice while listening to it crackle. Hikers can access the area, south of Portage in Chugach National Forest, by way of Alaska Railroads whistle stop service, which drops passengers about a 1.3-mile walk from the lake. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Several companies offerguided day hikesor climbs on Matanuska and other glaciers near Anchorage. Alaska Backcountry Adventures offers mild to wild experiences and prides itself on providing acustomized experience for all levels of ability. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Car, train, or group tour. Owners Matti and Dan cannot think of abetter way to appreciate Alaska than sharing it with others. Matanuska Glacier 2. Just 45minutes outside Anchorage, the city gives way to the wilds of Alaska in the Knik River Valley. Tour options include ashort 30-minute Anchorage Flightseeing Safari, aflight to Denali, Denali plus aglacier landing, and more. Car, train, or group tour. Youll float downstream for up to 2hours, taking in the scenery along the waymountains, river channels, hillsides, morainesand looking out for wildlife. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Where can I store and ship fish in Anchorage? Fly out to a kennel set up on a nearby glacier for a snowy, short-sleeved sledding adventure! Portage Glacier is only accessible on foot during the wintertime when the conditions are just right. 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! Or you can stay on board the train and continue to Grandview Valley to enjoy the spectacular scenery through large picture windows. You can continue past the Exit Glacier area to make your way to Harding Icefield. Keep an eye out for summertime ice-climbers at this most impressive roadside glacier. Seeing a glacier in winter is not talked about much, but it is possible, and the experience can be pretty extraordinary. If you dont have apowerful zoom on your camera, or just want to get agreat look at the ice, this is the spot. You don't need a helicopter tour or day cruise to reach themjust a car, perhaps, and some good walking shoes. Or, opt to visit the dazzling blue ice of Spencer Glacier. Just 90minutes from Anchorage, the Matanuska Glacier is Alaskas largest road-accessible glacier, and the water running underneath creates ariver thats perfect for rafting. And one of the most exciting ways to explore the rugged tundra here is behind the wheel of your own Polaris ATV, or 2or 4seat UTV (perfect for families)! Take aunique snowmobile tour out into the Alaskan backcountry and look for wildlife as you appreciate winterin. If you are on a kayak or boat near a glacier, stay half a mile away, as glaciers shift and calve without warning and create massive waves, Dalps said. This little-used, 2mile section of the former Glenn Highway has little to no traffic. Several species of whales ply the waters, not to mention otters, sea lions, puffins and Dall porpoises. During the winter months, you can only access the glacier on a guided tour. Once dubbed the Auk Glacier by John Muir (after a member of the Tlingit tribe), the Mendenhall offers six trails for getting really close: The almost-7-mile West Glacier Trail will take you right to the glaciers face, while you can also hike to a good viewing platform a quarter mile away. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Seward is the furthest from Anchorage, but still makes for a great day trip from Anchorage. Explore Alaskas backcountry astride aspeedy and fun snowmachine. The road to access Exit Glacier is usually closed during the winter at mile 1.3, but still accessible by ski, bike, or on foot.
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