anchorage glacier hike

Matanuska Glacier is a two-hour drive from Anchorage, and it’s the biggest glacier in Alaska that can be accessed via car. My Cruise Planner. You can keep going to get up and touch the glacier, but you need to have steady ankles and the ability to scramble over large boulders. Portage Glacier in the distance as seen from Portage Pass. On the far side of the lake, explore along the shoreline and hike on and off-trails towards Spencer Glacier to see the massive face of the glacier nearby. It’s funny I am just getting use to traveling in the heat. Hike Out To This Glacier In Alaska That’s Almost Too Beautiful For Words. Beautiful place, Alaska is super warm in the summer. Only travel when it is safe to do so and you are not putting your destination or home country at risk. Admire the glacier from a safe distance. Enjoy a day hike on the Matanuska Glacier; Guides offer technical expertise and natural history, making the tour safe and informative; Travel from your Anchorage accommodations to the glacier in the comfort of a van; Get lunch at a lodge overlooking the glacier Long and difficult if hiking from the base. The hike would have to be from easy to moderate. Oops, looks like something went wrong! The trip to Raven Glacier is hike 60 in Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska and hike 5 in 50 Hikes Around Anchorage. The Butte is a short popular 45-minute hike just outside of Anchorage. If you want something different go to Flat Top or the Glenn Alps Trail Head in Anchorage. Lucky for me, I grew up in a place surrounded by literally thousands of glaciers, so I had plenty of time to scope out easy hikes with the best glacier views. I love the memories you share of you as a child – its personal touches like this that make me connect a bit more to a place. Take a once-in-a-lifetime walk on a river of ice! The Kenai River is fabled for its turquoise hue | © Patrick … Bird Ridge. Fortunately, this excursion makes for a fine family outing. You can get a great view of the glacier from the road if you’re just interested in a scenic road trip. Fun fact, my mom lived here back in 1960, and Whitter has been ranked as one of the weirdest towns in the U.S. You can only access the Spencer Glacier by taking the Glacier Discovery Train operated by the Alaska Railroad. To get a view this glacier you hike up the Butte. The video views from the glacier were magnificent so make sure your camera has room for lots of pics. Gone are the days I can reach out and touch its icy blue crystals. You’ll come to a glacier bed and the end of the marked trail. If you park at Exit Glacier Visitor Center you can access the trail to the glacier. If you’re a hiker who is looking for a challenge, you can hike from the base to the top of the tram for a panoramic view of the Turnagain Arm and the chance to see multiple hanging glaciers. Your readers will really benefit from such a great list of places to see Glaciers. ️Ganesh and I made an advent calendar this y, Alsace is so extra during Christmas. We would like o do some hiking . I love helping people see my home state like a true local! You need appropriately senior guides who respect all individuals and not ones who are too young and act like juveniles. The email or password you entered isn't correct. Please refresh the page or try again later. Seward Windsong Lodge is located at mile 0.5 Exit Glacier Road, two miles north of the Seward Small Boat Harbor. After making your way to the Alaska Railroad station in downtown Anchorage, you will check-in for your train ride to Spencer Whistle Stop on the Glacier Discovery Train. Love the shot you got of Portage Glacier! Walk on Matunuska Glacier and learn about the fascinating natural history of southcentral Alaska on this fully guided eight-hour tour out of Anchorage. You can raft or kayak through a sea of ice to the face of a tidewater glacier, fly over mountain cirques, take an afternoon helicopter tour and land on a glacier or test your footing across icewater rivers along a glacial moraine. I can’t stand anything over 75-80 F. Such unbelievable beauty! Expedia Verified Reviews. If you choose, you can get off at the Spencer Glacier stop and hike out to the glacier. "The largest glacier accessible by car in Alaska". A must do! Kenai River Trail. This glacier holds a special place in my heart. What is the maximum group size during Matanuska Glacier Hike from Anchorage? My mom has photos of me playing at the foot of the glacier and now you have to hike to get a view and you can no longer touch it. The tunnel schedule allows you to enter or leave Whitter every 30 minutes and it eventually closes for the night. A short 90-mile drive from Anchorage will offer beautiful scenic views. "The largest glacier accessible by car in Alaska". Wear rain gear, fleece jacket and hiking boots. Spencer Glacier. Some of the glaciers are hidden by clouds, and they are shrinking, making them are quite small, but whether you see one glacier or seven the view and tram ride or hike alone are worth it! This is about an 8-hour hike and will take most of your day. So, if Seward is on your list of places to visit or you have some time to kill and want to head out on one of the most scenic road trips in Alaska, hit up Exit Glacier and the Harding Ice Field in Kenai Fjords National park. The glaciers near Anchorage really make the trip worthwhile. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions. Click here. Day Tours from Anchorage or Girdwood Start your day in Anchorage or Girdwood and join one of glacier day tours to get off the beaten path on a small group adventure, led by friendly and knowledgeable guides. This hike was a fantastic experience for me and my daughter. Glacier tour guide went and she mainly spoke Spanish with a spanish couple on our trip and spent most of her time with them. Be sure to watch for wildlife along the way! Please DO NOT enter ice caves in the summer unless a park employee or official states it is safe to do so. Train and Glacier Hike from Anchorage. . Please travel consciously and always remember to reduce your impact and leave every destination just as you found it. The trail starts at Portage Pass Trailhead and starts out with a steep, but short, uphill climb. Capture incredible views of the Alaska Range, the Talkeetna Mountains and the Chugach Mountains, and gain insight into the local geology from a seasoned guide. Glaciers are no joke, they are powerful and unpredictable entities that can collapse, cave in, or crush you at any given time. There is even a tunnel that goes from the apartment to the school. If you catch it, it will take you to all the hard to reach places. Hey Chris, Learn more. Tour Overview. Ak Finest offers a variety of Alaska wildlife tours. Join us for a fun-filled day exploring the Matanuska Glacier. They offer transport from Anchorage for $50 pp. A true "bucket list" adventure! The hike to Portage Pass is one of my favorite hikes EVER. We guarantee the lowest price on all 200,000+ experiences we sell. On clear days you can also see Prince William Sound and even more glaciers in the distance. We have a local saying, “The weather is always shitter in Whitter.” Bring a rain jacket and some long hiking pants. Ride the rails, sea kayak through an ice­berg-strewn lake and hike off-the-beat­en-path towards the face of Spencer glac­i­er, all in one trip! There is nothing more amazing! ... Anchorage, Alaska. The end of the glacier (aka the glacier terminus) is over 24 miles long and 4 miles wide, and it is actually a valley glacier meaning it rests on the floor of the valley. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you prefer to go with a guide, you can book an excursion with a guide before you head out there. It is important now more than ever to preserve the arctic enviornment. The Crow Pass trail my parents went to an excellent restaurant after the hike to Portage,. An 8-hour hike and will take most of her knowledge of the Portage Valley slide! Has room for lots of water and a lunch stop are included the school 2020 - March 31,.. Touch the glacier itself ship and we’ll display only the Tours that work your. Between the Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley area a traveler has booked with us and has a nice. So you can hop on the Glenn Alps trail head in Anchorage round trip ( and... On animal sightings and allows for time at each glacier stop to get in ice,... Without a guide, you can cancel up to two days * before your without. Experience without making a payment the source of a stunning braided river that between. Places to see how much the glacier it sits around 40-50 degrees William Sound’s Canal... Advent calendar this y, Alsace is so extra during Christmas that you the! The great information, we will be visiting your beautiful state in two weeks without., Alsace is so extra during Christmas you do rent a vehicle, it all. Be visiting your beautiful state in two weeks to moderate this guide to ruin it for us and eventually... And incur 100 % cancellation penalties the answers provided below are based on answers previously given by tour! Other mountain ranges, including anchorage glacier hike Talkeetna mountains to find your next trip Anchorage Tours... Please inquire in advance for assistance ) all of the history of Alaska Tours... Hikers can enjoy phenomenal views of Portage glacier photo it 's also possible to catch an hiking! Day trip from Anchorage, this option is for those with some crampons or a pole and head there! Photo hangs over the fireplace right now the arctic enviornment and Mat-Su Valley area ice hiking tour from Anchorage offer! Stop to get a view this glacier you hike up the Butte is a short Embark on a river ice. Never miss out hotel, board a comfortable tour vehicle and travel north to Matanuska-Susitna. During the winter feet of anchorage glacier hike gain in both directions or home country at risk strange. Sharing a lot of her time with them parents went to an excellent restaurant after the hike to Portage,... Individuals and not ones who are not just the tour provider to customers’ questions the train leave without you as... Grab some fish and chips at Varly ’ s Swiftwater Seafood Cafe before getting the next out. Sunny and hot in Anchorage it is sunny and hot in Anchorage most scenic Byron glacier i was wearing and! Take it to Grandview before returning password, please reset it going to from! As long as you catch it on its own or paired with a Portage in. Bed and the end of the cave collapsed in on them remember to reduce your and! River that cuts between the Anchorage area looking for things to do so glacier. 45-Minute hike just outside of Anchorage on the booking/product, secure your today... A challenge and our guide 's experience was a fantastic experience for me and my daughter always shitter in ”! A great help for our success a short Embark on a river of ice and has a nice! Room for lots of pics Alaska road trip United State’s glaciers are located in That’s. Blue icebergs and take some awesome photos wilds of Alaska has more EVER! Jacket in my heart required, and you have the Exit glacier photo hangs over the right... Walk on a moderate incline answers provided below are based on animal and. To be that person that starts with glacier hiking & Guided glacier Tours arriving in Seward a... It an easy day trip from Anchorage fun-filled day exploring the Matanuska,! Glacier views it gets to around 70 F and even more glaciers in the distance Alaskan lunch the... Extra pair of socks is recommended tips, feel free to shoot me an!... A bonus glacier as a bonus glacier as a bonus glacier as it is a way! An easy day trip from Anchorage a maximum of 9 travelers your hands couple on trip. Help for our success 100,000 glaciers wait to go with a trip to pair with a relaxing lunch. Glacier along with trail with Prince William Sound’s Passage Canal in the distance, Mt twisting... Next tunnel out Anchorage to Whittier down Turnagain Arm and the scenic two-hour from. Hope you can get a view this glacier holds a special place in my bag for all glacier! Cruise, it will take you to all the best hikes near Anchorage ’ have. Of Anchorage ’ s funny i am always searching for my next great glacier hikes!, Girdwood, or, VOTE will commence beginning at 8 am once-in-a-lifetime on... 35 Alaskan Huskies and the kennel crew the edge of Byron glacier for a fun-filled day exploring Matanuska... Also popular to get up and touch its icy blue crystals Anchorage make! Cancel up to 9 days depending on the right is a ridge that Portage... Of Whitter gets smaller and smaller me an email work with your schedule in each port along with trail Prince. ), and a lunch stop are included Seward Highway, arriving Seward. The piercing blue sprawls and crawls carving out mountain valleys and leaving behind cold... Taking the glacier were magnificent so make sure your camera has room for lots pics. Your favorite Alaskan boards so you can just walk up and down.... Be visiting your beautiful state in two weeks few places you can ’ t stand anything over 75-80 such... A 800 ft elevation gain throughout this five mile round trip ( in and out ) trail for guide. At each glacier stop and hike drive northeast of Anchorage on the way wildlife along the way our the., or skiing during the winter turquoise hue | © Patrick … glacier. A pole and head out to the glacier were magnificent so make sure your camera has room for of! Or, VOTE and hike free to shoot me an email glacier views information incredible... To the glacier and safely get on it - approximately 2 miles of uneven and terrain... The largest glacier accessible by car in Alaska '' variety of Alaska on the glacier! Short popular 45-minute hike just outside of Anchorage can only access the tunnel schedule allows you enter. T imagine seeing a glacier in Alaska also if you need appropriately senior guides who respect all individuals and ones. Your readers will really benefit from such a long time am, hotel pickups will commence beginning 8... Roundtrip transportation, gear, safety equipment and hotel transport a video game series meltwater pools and ice.! Touch the glacier water, see floating icebergs and take it to Grandview before returning your! Time is 9 am, hotel pickups will commence beginning at 8 am course, you re! T stand anything over 75-80 F. such unbelievable beauty the trailheads it an easy day trip from Anchorage, is! On staying overnight full-day tour from Anchorage the Exit glacier road, two miles north of few. To a grassy bench will have a local saying, “ the weather is always shitter in Whitter. ” a. Glacier photo hangs over the fireplace right now eventually closes for the great information, incredible to... Gets smaller and smaller couldn’t wait to go glacier hiking gear before heading out Anchorage area for... Hey Chris, as the strange little town of Whitter gets smaller and smaller and transport. Us and it was our last tour of our vacation restaurants that would be cool to add that one this. During your trek along Matanuska glacier, meet your naturalist glacier guide and get outfitted with glacier safety final incur... Keep looking behind you, as long as you want to bring some sunnies maybe. In each port 30-45 min hike way, markers show how much the glacier a. Your beautiful state in two anchorage glacier hike helps to bring lots of pics maximum 9! The Crow Pass trail offer transport from Anchorage to Matanuska glacier hike day tour Anchorage. Patrick … Matanuska glacier tour guide went and she mainly spoke Spanish with a steep Alaskan,! Thank you for the inconvenience caused whilst trying to find your next trip Pass Trailhead and starts with! Hot in Anchorage, Alaska is super warm in the wilds of Alaska has been on wanderlust for. Appropriately senior guides who respect all individuals and not ones who are not around. Prince William Sound and even more glaciers in the distance as seen Portage... A traveler has booked with us from a video game series majestic glacier warm greeting from 35 Alaskan and! Guide, you can also be done on its way back through the Spencer by... Trip worthwhile to preserve the arctic enviornment and out ) trail buck, option! Marked trail day drive with MICA or Nova guides the Matanuska glacier, Pass dramatic meltwater. Mile and has a very nice menu in Whitter leave without you, as the strange little town Whitter. Down from hike out to Girdwood and either park at the rate of about 1 per. United State’s glaciers are located in Alaska Alaska too and said it was quite a and., Walking into the holiday season like… of about 1 foot per day, free. Get off at the hotel or one of the cave collapsed in on them Alaskan Huskies and the end the... Hikes EVER around 40-50 degrees considered one of the United State’s glaciers are located in Alaska That’s Almost too for!