anchorage to spencer glacier

Staying on the train has its appeal, however, as Bartlett Glacier and Trail Glacier come into view. Availability Photos Add to My Trip Overview Along with the comfort of reserved seats and pleasure of beautiful views, the Alaska Railroad offers adventurous travelers access to otherwise unreachable Alaskan backcountry. There are glacier trips for people of all ages and athletic abilities. 2 4:45 PM Spencer Iceberg Float Rafting Tour (2 Hours on the Water) In the worst case scenario and you tip over first you have a floating object to hold onto, and it is very easy to flip the boat back over and hold onto the side and kick your way in. The Spencer Bench Cabin is the newest cabin on the Chugach National Forest, sitting at an elevation of 1,900 with breathtaking views of the Placer River valley and Spencer Glacier below. If you have your own rental vehicle and are boarding in Portage. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. This area is rich in history from the original early natives who lived off the land, to the hardworking laborers putting in the rail line. The Alaska Railroad offers checked baggage service. Tour will be run in a raft with your experienced and professional guide providing the paddle power from the stern. Crevasses especially are not always visible. The 1.4-mile trail is a flat, easy walk. The South Fork Valley Trail is a relatively easy hike to Eagle and Symphony Lakes in Eagle River, about half an hour east of Anchorage. Options include guided hikes, rowing up to the Spencer Glacier icebergs before floating . Anchorage Train Depot411 West 1st AvenueAnchorage, AK 99501. Learn More > Alaska Railroad Whittier to Anchorage Return to Anchorage after a trip in Whittier aboard this evening Glacier Discovery train route. OPTIONAL ADD-ON: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. 2020 Alaska Railroad. Overwhelmed by choices? Book early! You dont have to. The train then travels through a mountain tunnel to Whittier, providing a perfect connection for a glacier and wildlife cruise in Prince William Sound. Spencer shares the same accumulation zones that feed the famous tidewater glaciers of Blackstone Bay in Prince William Sound. 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. Then theres Portage Glacier. and should be considered a moderate to strenuous activity level. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Our tours focus on small group interaction with an average group size of six to eight guests per one guide to give you a personalized experience. This roundtrip train ride passes through one such access point, the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. This strenuous, switch-backing path climbs about 1,800 feet in just 3 miles, offering many overlooks of the glacier and the lake. Perfect Float for ALL AGES & Abilities. If you want a more private rafting or kayaking trip we recommend joining us on a morning trip such as our Glacier Blue Kayak/Raft & Grandview Tour. For more info, read our Privacy Policy Accept & Hide This site uses cookies. Ride 12 miles out to the bright blue ice of Spencer Glacier, crossing the frozen lake to get there. Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Got a packraft and braided-river route-finding skills? see the pooster atwww.thepooster.com, Alaska Rivers Company is licensed and permitted by the following: Developed in partnership with the Chugach National Forest Service, the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop is a remote wilderness area that is only accessible by train. After a safety briefing, you'll load up and float across Spencer Lake, getting up close to icebergs and taking in panoramic views of Spencer Glacier. On the hike you will learn about the flora, fauna, and local history of this magical area. Utilizing the motorcoach for this portion shortens the trip by more than two hours. Rate: $250 per person (includes train ticket from Portage), Kids 11 & under half price. Cancellations within 10 days are nonrefundable. Upon arrival at Spencer Lake, you have time to explore the area independently or participate in a guided walk led by a US Forest Service Ranger. Hikers follow a series of switchbacks uphill, passing Jewel Glacier to the east of Crow Pass Cabin, and eventually arrive at Crow Pass and Raven Glacier. Loading. Ascending Path and Chugach Adventures are two of three permitted operators at Spencer Whistle Stop in the Chugach National Forest. This amazing tour suitable for all ages and abilities starts with an easy hike from the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop along the banks of the Placer River down to Spencer Lake. Board the Glacier Discovery Train for a ride to the backcountry: the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. There is a Small Cafe on the Glacier Discovery Train with limited menu options Sandwiches, Wraps, Pizza for guests that need lunch. It is also often chilly on the outside viewing platforms. After visiting Spencer Lake, the Alaska Railroad whistle-stop train will return to Portage station, where a waiting motor coach will provide the return transfer to Anchorage. This trip is one of the most scenic glacier river trips in Alaska! It is a good idea to dress in layers, since the temperature can vary depending on the weather and the train car's heating and cooling system. This roundtrip train ride passes through one such access point, the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. I understand spencer hike includes railroad and kayaking, but is there any difference while on the glacier? Do you need chains in the winter? Let us cut down on your own driving time by providing transportation both ways from Cooper Landing to the Portage Train Station in comfort and style in our Mercedes Benz Sprinter van. Cancellation Policy for Day Tour Bookings: Cancellations made 10 days or more in advance are 90% refundable. Two glaciers are easily accessible in the valley. If anyone chooses to not participate in the hike we will provide transportation to the iceberg filled Spencer Lake, where their glacier, river, or hiking adventure will begin! 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! Whittier is the launching point for many cruises in Prince William Sound, which boasts more tidewater glaciers than any other region in North America. 11:00 AM Train Departs Girdwood AWCC Add-On Guests Disembark Train for AK Wildlife Conservation Center Tour (Chugach Adventures Greeter will board Train & answer any questions) Access to otherwise unreachable Alaskan backcountry. Bring warm clothes & layers, extra socks, a hat & gloves. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard in the Wilderness Caf. Very rarely do people actually fall off, and when they do it is super easy to just get right back on. Subscribe to the Under the Midnight Sun Newsletter, Roundtrip transportation to Spencer Glacier by train and bus from Anchorage, Narrated walk with US Forest Service Ranger. The longest ones Ruth, Kahiltna and Muldrow are each more than 30 miles long. Spencer Glacier Hike with ascendingpath looks pretty convincing.. but that is much more expensive than Matanuska hike.. is it really worth the extra $? What can I do on an April visit to Anchorage? Our stand-up paddle boarding andkayak tours require a minimum age of 8 (over 45 lbs.) Byron Glacier. 800-208-0200 or 907-245-0200. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. 1:55 PM Train Arrives at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop 12:45 PM Train Departs Whittier Rome2Rio makes travelling from Anchorage to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve easy. Address About What to Bring Getting There Dates and Prices Photos Contact Alaska Railroad (2:06) The shortest route on the Alaska Railroad, the Glacier Discovery offers opportunities to escape Anchorage and take unique day trips to Girdwood, Portage or Whittier, and in the Kenai Mountains. And yet, the site has been developed into a family-friendly recreation destination featuring camping, hiking, glacier exploration, nature walks, paddling and sightseeing. Our Spencer Lake and Ice to Ocean rafting trips are suitable for all ages and abilities. The station offers restrooms, information kiosks and some shelter. Along with the comfort of reserved seats and pleasure of beautiful views, the Alaska Railroad offers adventurous travelers access to otherwise unreachable Alaskan backcountry. Stand Up Paddle Board and Kayak Tours participants need to bring a change of socks and base layers to change into after we get off the water. Transfers to and from your Anchorage hotel, lunch, however meals can be purchased on board the train. (Minor rapids and sweepers.) All Rights Reserved. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. We provide rubber boots, a rain poncho (If it is a rainy day), & Personal Flotation Device (life vest) for all guests. All other facilities at the campsites, including the general group use area, accessible picnic table, and fire ring are shared between both Campsite A and Campsite B. We will have water to refill you anytime. (Bill Roth / ADN). We provide large dry bags to keep extra clothes and equipment dry for the group. Where is the best bear viewing in Alaska? Save We have one day in Anchorage end of July that we can do a quick day trip. Many consider this the most scenic stretch of track, as the train winds along the Placer River Valley and amid the alpine meadows of Grandview. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell. Click on a link for an interactive map. Two glaciers are easily accessible in the valley. Experience the closest Iceberg Kayaking to Anchorage & Girdwood by train with Ascending Path's world-class guides. Trip goerswill disembark at the whistle stop and have the option of taking an easy guided hike down to Spencer Lake. Anchorage Matanuska Glacier Hiking Experience. Alternatively, the Bold Ridge Trail is about 4 miles long with a steep 3,600-foot elevation gain that rewards you with glacier views. The Spencer Glacier Bears, Trains & Icebergs tour follows the same schedule as the Spencer iceberg raft trip, but also includes a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in the morning. This trip is a blastcomplete with stunning views of sheer mountains and hanging ice. One of the most popular " first hikes" for families with small children, the one-mile trail to Thunderbird Falls traverses a handsome birch forest along the Eklutna River canyon to reach a deck with views of a 200 -foot waterfall. . Its also home to one of the most spectacular and visible glaciers along the Railbelt: Spencer Glacier, a massive wall of ice cascading down the mountains to Spencer Lake. Exit Glacier Road is only open to cars during the summer, usually mid-May. If you are on the train from Anchorage or in Girdwood, click on the Add-On above. There's also flightseeing available to Knik and Colony Glacier. 2023 Summer Season: May 27 September 17. We try to keep you as dry as possible but some splashes can make it over the sides. You'll be within arms reach of icebergs which are massively broken or melted off pieces of the Spencer Glacier. About 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, Spencer Glacier is only accessible via the Alaska Railroads Glacier Discovery Train, which runs daily from May 25 through Sept. 16 this year. What you do next may be limited only by your imagination. For reservations, call Alaska Railroad at 800.544.0552. This opportunity may be as good as it getsa high-adventure day trip for the whole family that seems worthy of a National Geographic Magazine cover story. Loading. The Exit Glacier Nature Center is the starting point for a system of trails leading to the glacier. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Tour Overview Dates & Rates Tour Activities Alaska's Glaciers Hiking Kayaking Natural Attractions Outdoor Adventures Mode of Travel Rail Day Tours Day Tour Details What's Included: Head out on an iceberg raft trip or kayaking tour. Your guide will teach you how to paddle a tandem kayak and walk in crampons. Both locations are only accessible by train. About an hours drive from Anchorage on the Seward Highway is Portage Valley and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. Infants under the age of 2 may travel for free but must sit on an adult's lap. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Everyone has there own preferences but we find that inflatable kayaks are safer, more stable, and extremely comfortable. This is our most popular & hallmark trip during the peak season (mid-June thru July). All with the quick switch of the handle. *Additional cost will be applied if riding the train from Anchorage or Girdwood. By boat and plane, on foot, behind a team of dogs, and even sitting at a first-class restaurant with views of seven nearby glaciers - Anchorage is your window on Alaska's best glaciers. We do encourage passengers to paddle along with us especially if there is a head wind. Sign up with your email and we'll keep you posted on what's going on 2023 Alaska Tours. The Spencer Lake trip allows us to get up close and personal with theicebergs that float around the lake,listening to the deep rumblings and cracking of the glacier while learning about the dynamic glacier processes that have led to the creation of this ever evolving setting. Alaska Department of Fish & Game Chugach National Forest Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Alaska State Parks Department of Environmental Conservation U.S. Coast Guard U.S. No previous glacier experience is necessary. Kids will paddle a tandem kayak with a parent or guardian. Sign up with your email and we'll keep you posted on what's going on Campsite A: Campsite A has a capacity for 15 people. Explore a remote glacial lake only accessible by train. Once you disembark, you are truly off the grid at an adventure outpost in the Alaskan wilderness. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. (For now, the trail ends about one mile out at a tributary to Spencer Lake.). Nowhere else in the world can you: ride a train, sea kayak, hike and explore a glacier all in a day. 1 review 3 helpful votes Spencer glacier vs grandview Feb 26, 2023, 8:32 AM Save We are 8 person family and 2 kids-visiting alask for 8 days. Passengers can make reservations for an add-on Spencer Glacier tour, or explore the area on their own before the train returns at 4:30 PM. The train continues past Spencer Glacier to Grandview, where Bartlett and Trail glaciers can be seen. Departure times and locations are listed below. The train then continues to its turnaround point at Grandview Pass before returning to Spencer at 4:30 PM. Each participant will be given a small dry bag to put extra clothes and personal equipment in. Plus this allows us to get GREAT photographs of each other! 0. Portage Valley About an hour's drive from Anchorage on the Seward Highway is Portage Valley and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. Everyone enjoys access to a shared dome observation car and the ability to easily walk between different cars on the train. Spencer Glacier 13 years ago Save We have advanced booked a rail trip from Anchorage to Spencer Glacier (and back via motorcoach). Check in at the depot with a valid government issued photo ID one hour prior to departure. Warm clothes and an extra layer (try to stay away from cotton and layer with warm synthetic clothes. be an experienced outdoorsperson with training in glacier travel) or hire a guide. 6:45 PM Arrival into Anchorage. We will let you know as early as possible if we will be switching to the float option. Home Travel Planning Destinations Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Developed in partnership with the Chugach National Forest Service, the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop is a remote wilderness area that is only accessible by train. 2:00 - 4:45 PM - Spencer Glacier Lake & Placer River float; 5:00 - 5:25 PM - Return on the last stretch of your Alaska train ride to . 3900 Arctic Blvd, Ste 304 You can explore on your own or book a variety of guided excursions through the Alaska Railroad. Yes, you will get a little wet, but you will be really surprised how dry you can actually stay for being so close to the water. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. The boat launch on Spencer Lake is a quick drive down a down former mining road. The Alaska Railroad charges $20 per item for oversized or excess baggage. Check out our Girdwood Things to Do and Anchorage Things to Do pages for more ways to experience this corner of Alaska. For the outdoorsy, overnighting is also an option: the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop offers campsites as well a public use cabin. We did the Forest Ranger guided hike at Spencer Lake, which was perfect for what we wanted to see and learn. Bring a camera, medications, and government issued photo ID. Any one group up to 25 people may reserve the entire site by booking both sites A and B, enabling exclusive use of the campsites and all onsite amenities. Where can I store my luggage in Anchorage? All tours include the necessary equipment, gear and professionally trained guides to make sure you have a comfortable and rewarding Alaskan glacier experience! You will be given a pair of bib overalls, and a full length rain jacket. For those already visiting the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska Rivers Company is conveniently located under an hour outside of Seward, Soldotna and Kenai. Recommended Bus Take the bus from Anchorage, AK - Museum to Whittier Cruise Terminal - Alaska 2h 23m $40 - $70 Cheapest Train The Spencer Glacier Hike is a wonderful way to get a grasp on the immensity of this amazing glacial setting. Visitors get off at the Spencer Whistle Stop in Chugach National Forest at 1:45 p.m. You can hike about 1.3 miles one way to the glacier viewing platform, or another 1.7 miles to the edge of the glacier (but be mindful of getting back to the train in time for the 4:40 p.m. pickup). Anchorage.net is the official source for Anchorage, Alaska and Southcentral Alaska travel information on everything from outdoor adventures to metropolitan amenities. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Dry bags. Its a relatively quick 10-mile trip from Portage station, about 45 miles southeast of Anchorage near the head of Turnagain Arm. ), Rain Gear (we will provide rain gear for you but if you have your own feel free to bring it instead.). Call or email us your tour questions or to customize your Alaskan vacation. Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Whittier Transfer to Prince William Sound day tours and cruises leaving out of Whittier on this scenic 63-mile train ride along the Turnagain Arm. All Rights Reserved. Click here to accept. This 8.5-hour day trip includes: Round-trip transportation from Anchorage or Girdwood to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage? The path follows the shore of the lake, then to the river and glacier. Columbia, Meares and Blackstone glaciers are just three of the oft-visited glaciers in the area. Its located approximately 60 miles south of Anchorage, and accessible in the summer via a whistle stop on the Alaska Railroads regularly scheduled Glacier Discovery Train. The glacier itself is gigantic about 26 miles long and 4 miles wide at its terminus. Explore it solo or with a guide: The U.S. Forest Service offers regularly scheduled guided walking tours in the summer, and independent guide services lead float trips across the lake and down the Placer River. All Rights Reserved. You will take home with you great photographs and memories and a better understanding of glacial processes and the wilderness that surrounds you. Your personal naturalist will lead you on trails maintained by the USFS. Rome2Rio makes travelling from Anchorage to Glacier National Park easy. All passengers are seated in spacious Adventure Class cars with tall windows and large seats. Hikers can continue on past the glacier, or turn around. $85 per night. Kayak a.m. or p.m. Kayakers of all abilities will enjoy this 3-mile round-trip exploration of Spencer Lake, which offers calm waters with no tidal influence or motorboat wake. The Alaska Railroad offers one level of service on the Spencer Glacier route. That is the number one advantage of paddle boarding! Crevasses and moulins (deep holes) form in the glacier. Recommended option Train Take the train from Anchorage to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop 4h $23 - $220 Then, theres the rest of Kenai Fjords National Park. either go hiking or going kayaking. Majestic Princess. Yes they are a little slower than a hard shell, but come try an inflatable for yourself and experience the difference. All Rights Reserved. Once with us, you can sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views over two mountain passes. This schedule allows for a day trip from Anchorage, with plenty of time in Whittier for a day cruise to the see the glaciers of Prince William Sound. ** This trip could be changed to the Ice to Ocean Placer River float due to high winds that could prevent us from touring around Spencer Lake. Let us know beforehand if you need a size larger than mens 13. The Cafe is cashless and requires a credit or debit card. That's where you'll find the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. You get the chance to float among the amazing deep blue icebergs like on our Spencer Lake Tour and then experience the wilderness setting along the 12 miles of the Placer River. Learn More >, Do it all in a day (ride the train, see Alaskan wildlife, raft alongside icebergs) on this roundtrip tour out of Anchorage. "We had an amazing experience on the train. Here, get up close and personal to the glacier on this mellow float suitable for ages 5 and up. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request. To visit Spencer Glacier between May and September, youll need to book a ride on the Glacier Discovery Train of the Alaska Railroad, with service from Anchorage, Girdwood, Whittier, and Portage.

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