Wander through walls of ice with a Matanuska Glacier Park guide. PHOTO BY MARC LESTER
WANT TO GET UP CLOSE TO A GLACIER? HERE’S WHERE TO GO IN SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA By L A U R E L A N D R E W S
W
hether you live in Alaska or are visiting, glaciers are one of the state’s most awe-inspiring and unique attractions. Alaska is, after all, home to most of the glaciers in the United States. There are glacier trips for people of all ages and abilities. We narrowed those trips down to the glaciers under 150 miles — or a two- to three-hour drive — from Anchorage. But before we get to the adventures, let’s talk briefly about glacier safety.
HOW TO ENJOY GLACIERS AND STAY SAFE Michelle Dalpes, a park ranger at Denali National Park and Preserve, urges all glacier travelers to bring warm, layered clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, and a windbreak layer. Glaciers are colder than surrounding areas, and often windy. Walking on glaciers can be dangerous
unless — and sometimes even if — you have proper training and equipment. “Ice is unpredictable,” Dalpes said. Crevasses and moulins (deep holes) form in the glacier. Crevasses especially are not always visible. If you want to trek on the surface of a glacier, you need to either know what you are doing — i.e. be an experienced outdoorsperson with training in glacier travel — or hire a guide. 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, Dalpes said. Land on a beach at least a mile from a glacier, and camp 2 miles away. When walking around the toe, where the glacier ends, keep a distance of twice the glacier’s height. Same goes for paddling around an iceberg. And keep in mind — some of these glaciers may be hard to access depending on the time of year you visit. Make sure to contact local visitors centers for information on current conditions. Got it? Phew. Now for the fun stuff. Disclaimer: This list explores some of the most popular glaciers and ways to see them,
but for brevity’s sake it does not include many of the tour operators that offer hikes, boat trips, scenic flights, kayaking, etc. More information about tours can be found with a simple online search.
PORTAGE VALLEY About an hour’s drive from Anchorage on the Seward Highway is Portage Valley and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. Two glaciers are easily accessible in the valley. Byron Glacier is considered highly accessible for all ages. The 1.4-mile trail is a flat, easy walk. The first half is wellmaintained, with a wide path. The second half is rocky, and to get closer to the glacier, visitors must cross boulders and small streams. Then there’s Portage Glacier. The glacier has receded out of view from the visitor center, but in the summer there’s a daily cruise and a pull-off where you can see the glacier from the road. A little farther down the road, Portage Pass trail is a 4-mile round-trip hike with glacier views. During the winter, frozen Portage Lake is a popular spot for skiers and bikers traveling
VISITORS’ GUIDE •
2022 —
ALASKA
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