History. Check out our clothing, hiking, backpacking and skiing guides, as well as our primer on Alaska weather. The route served as a segment in the historic Iditarod Trail across Alaska. Alaska Shore Tours donates 5% of profits to local charities. Our dog scared a bear off more than twice during the night and as evidenced by all the claw marks in my French press, it apparently explored our kitchen site as well. Commission (the organization responsible for the construction of the government Among the special Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Summer weekdays and late summer-into-fall weekends (after the brush discourages all but the most ardent cyclists) transform the trail into one of the most quiet and lush backpacking experiences on the Kenai. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Ready, set, jet! Tips for travel this busy holiday weekend - Alaska Board These Beautiful Trains Routes In Alaska For An Unforgettable Dates. There is no ticket counter in Girdwood. Bring rain gear, gloves, a warm hat, and extra pair of warm socks. You can book trips by calling our reservation office at 800-544-0552 during the following times (Alaska Local Time): Mid-May to Mid-September: Monday thru Friday - 7am-4pm Saturday and Sunday - 7am-4pm Mid-September to Mid-May: Monday thru Friday - 7am-5pm Saturday - 9am-3pm Sunday - closed: SEARCH FOR TRAIN . Grandview is a pass through the Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Since Ari and Melanee love this part of Alaska so much, they figure youll want to spend extra time here too. Current conditions: Contact the Seward Ranger District, 33599 Ranger Station Spur (mile marker 23.5), Seward, AK 99664. The North Trailhead is at Mile 64 of the Seward Highway, with the south exit only about 32 miles by vehicle further south, at Mile 32.5 on the way to Seward, just west of Trail Lake. 22The road over Hatcher Pass, a 60-mile route between Palmer and Willow that's slow but scenic, opened for the summer this week, although deep snow remains at higher elevations. The thirteen cars used to transport the celebrities connected to the .gov website. U.S. Highway 63 serves as a main route in the community. A day cruise from Seward to Kenai Fjords . Some White Pass combination rail and bus excursions include a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, which is another great photo opportunity. In merely a mile and a half, the epic vistas of Bartlett Glacier and the surrounding peaks literally take your breathe away. Yet this is EXACTLY what you should go and do! If your Alaska cruise embarks or disembarks in Seward, you will need a transfer to or from Anchorage which is 127 miles away. Many people start at the north trailhead and hike south 11 miles to the pass between Johnson and Bench lakes and then return the way they came. party - complete with beer and a polka band - the ski train has long been Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Amid busy tourist season, workers on Skagway's White Pass railway are Overwhelmed by choices? The trail has outstanding views of picturesque Spencer Glacier. Boarding begins 20-30 minutes prior to departure. United States. Theyve packaged up several multi-day options featuring the best of what the locals recommend to their own visiting friends and families. The trail is just the right length for one epic summer day on foot or wheels, or several easy overnights. World-wide-wrap of #RushAroundTheWorld2017 + Miss Alaska USA. This unique day trip gives true train lovers a roundtrip, one-day train experience to rival many others. Guests traveling from Girdwood depart from the Girdwood Depot at 8:05 AM. Make sure to follow the 100 yard triangle rule, camping, kitchen and food storage all equally distant from each other to ensure no bad bear interactions. The main line was completed in 1923 after 9 years of construction; President Warren G. Harding traveled to Alaska for the occasion and personally drove in the Golden Spike to finish the job. Brudine Road Jun. Turnagain Pass Rest Area Parking lot, 12 miles northwest; Popular Destinations in Alaska. Toll Free: 800.266.8625. . Reservations are required. Climate. In every direction, the view offers something unique. To learn more about the Alaska Marine Highway and its various routes, see our Alaska Marine Highway Overview page. Child: $429.00. Alaska: Spencer Glacier Kayak Tour 2023 - Anchorage - Viator Plan Your Trip to Anchorage | Visit Anchorage You have the option of an early-morning train ride followed by morning kayak, or a longer train ride before you get to the evening kayak portion of your day. . Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Also, setting up a shuttle is a breeze. What I really like about the Alaskan Railroad is that there are multiple pricing options for every tour, so you can see all the incredible views without breaking the bank. 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! a section at a time. Grandview is a pass through the Kenai Mountains. . The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Each year, during the first weekend in May, the community welcomes 16-20 million shorebirds to the Copper River Delta, the largest contiguous wetlands complex on North Americas Pacific Coast. Coastal Classic Train Anchorage > Girdwood > Seward Daily mid-May through mid-September Denali Star Train Anchorage > Wasilla > Talkeetna > Denali Park > Fairbanks Daily mid-May through mid-September Glacier Discovery Train Anchorage > Girdwood > Portage > Whittier > Spencer Glacier > Grandview Daily June through mid-September 411 West 1st Avenue Chugach State Park | Great Alaska Travel Adventure Anchorage, AK 99503 . 7-10 days is the most common. 1:55 5:15 PM Glacier Discovery train ride to the stunning Grandview, 5:15 PM Train arrives in Portage, disembark to board motorcoach bus, 6:45 PM Arrive in Anchorage via motorcoach. While we cannot guarantee the safety of your bag, we have never had any instances of lost or stolen bags. To the right, bald eagles can often be seen scouting for fish on the incoming tide. Hiking a packed trail, skiing, snowshoeing and, during odd numbered years, snowmachining mean there is something for the whole family. The train stops a couple times along the way allowing you to explore the glacier region of Alaska and even stops outside the cruise ship terminal on its arrival back into Whittier for those departing via boat! This pennant was tacked to the front porch in front of the house. Motivated by her love for the outdoors she moved to Alaska to attend school and to spend time exploring the last frontier. They are remnants of ice calving from the Spencer Glacier. Ari and Melanee are serious about offering a premier guiding service, having developed a committed team of guides and an expanded tour catalog that offers an amazing array of adventures. This glacier and train adventure is sure to be one of your most memorable and exciting days in Alaska! From here, guests either board the tour operator's shuttle back to Girdwood (arriving 5:45 PM) or a motorcoach to Anchorage (arriving 6:45 PM). There are no restrooms once we are on the water. 800-208-0200 or 907-245-0200. Warm layers (synthetic materials are best!). The Spencer Glacier Trek Tour combines this morning adventure with an afternoon of exploring glacial ice while trekking on Spencer Glacier with crampons. Where is Grandview Kenai Peninsula, Alaska United States - RoadOnMap pass. Big ship or small ship? The summer sockeye (red) salmon runs draw the infamous crowds, but both solitude and fish can be found later in the year. Supervisor's Office The Glacier Discovery Route is very different than the rest because it has an optional day tour added into the middle of the route for the rider's convenience. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. We'll look forward to seeing you again on Thursday, and catching up on your thoughts, questions and photos once we're back online! Explore! The tour concludes with a return paddle and train trip to either Girdwood or Anchorage by way of the Upper Placer River Gorge Canyon, one of the most scenic sections of rail in Alaska. The provided boxed lunch contains turkey or vegetarian sandwich, chips, cookie, fruit and water. If she doesnt have a pen in hand or her nose in a book, she can be found out on a lake or up in the woods around a fire with friends. The Alaska Railroad has several different daily routes that passenger trains are operated on throughout the summer season. Alaska Railroad Grandview Valley Day Trip | AlaskaTravel.com Plan Your Trip Plan the ultimate trip to Anchorage, Alaska, for memories that will last a lifetime. Alaska Train Day Trips | Alaska Railroad, Spencer Glacier, Seward Most visitors to Grandview are tourists who have booked the Glacier Discovery Train which stops here for 40 minutes allowing visitors to meander up the trail to a small viewing platform before having to re-board the train for the return trip to Anchorage. With a backdrop of huge glacier-capped mountains laced in waterfalls, this stretch of rail is worthy of a second pass. Flickr - Ted McGrath. Where can I find Alaska railroad reviews? Very Poor. The prime summer biking season begins once the trail dries out in mid-June and lasts well into July. Both the Spencer Glacier train and the Grandview Valley trains are roundtrip services, but the return trip takes place by motorcoach from Portage Depot. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. In her Select your cruise ship and well display only the tours that work with your CLICK HERE For more information on the Chugach Whistle Stop Project. 550 West 7th Avenue Suite 1380 Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 269-8700 Fax: (907) 269-8907 The unincorporated community of Grand View is located in the town of Grandview. Brooke Edwards is a Wilderness Guide for Chugach Adventures. Recently I decided to bump up the Alaska Railroad tracks a bit and explore the lesser-known whistle stop, Grandview. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/chugach/home/?cid=STELPRDB5373883, Unstable Mountain Slope in Barry Arm, Prince William Sound. The train continues through lush marshland in the Placer River Valley, and then heads into the pristine Kenai Mountains wilderness. 9:30 1:30 PM Guided Spencer Lake kayaking around icebergs to Spencer Glacier, followed by a short hike to the Blue Wall and then lunch. This web site is a skiers' resource for exploring Southcentral Alaska on cross country skis. Thank you! 6/3/23 (Sa) to 9/17/23 (Su) 6/3/23 (Sa) to 9/17/23 (Su) Adult: $429.00. Due to equipment restrictions, the following applies to all guests: Guests traveling from Anchorage depart from the Anchorage Depot aboard the Coastal Classic at 6:45 AM (check in one hour prior). Whittier, AK 99693, USA. Sometimes its too windy to kayak comfortably. Office Hours:8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 4 Map Website. for the sign from it and sewed them to a strip of while oilcloth. If youre lucky the wind will have blown the lake smooth and you can practice your double axels on the ice. Please see FAQs. Good Consider wearing water-proof-breathable shells to shed the water. All passengers are seated in spacious Adventure Class cars with tall windows and large seats. We do not operate kayaks or canoes on whitecap days on the lake for your safety and enjoyment. Utilizing the motorcoach for this portion shortens the trip by over two hours. For example, a coal consist of 66 cars Any additional information would be very helpful. Girdwood guests can join this excursion, too! ). 1:55 - 5:15 PM - Glacier Discovery train ride to the stunning Grandview. Best Alaska Shore Excursions - TripSavvy Alaska Tour & Travel uses cookies to track your trip selections and favorites. Originally, it was a road house for railroad workers. At the Glacier Whistle Stop, youll have some time to stretch your legs with a short nature walk. $12.00 Quantity: Purchase About the Cover Alaska Railroad tracks head toward the Placer Valley, the Spencer Glacier, and Grandview Pass on the way to Seward, Alaska. My Homepage - Grandview Golf Club If you want to hike from one end to the other, you need to set up a shuttle or book a trip on a local trail taxi. Answer: Yes! There, we were rewarded with a perfectly flat tent site, a high creek trickling down from the glacier above and mind blowing views from which to enjoy our gourmet backcountry feast (complete with wine of course!). "This was our favorite tour!! White Pass & Yukon Route The White Pass & Yukon train trip is one of the most popular day excursions available to cruise passengers in Alaska. There is no child rate for this tour. Alaska Cruise With Train Ride: A Full Guide - Expedition Cruise Your time on the water is sandwiched between two train rides that offer up some of Alaskas most scenic rail miles. split in two at Spencer or Tunnel. Ive been lucky enough to call this my office for the last couple of years, as a wilderness guide. Anchorage Train Depot411 West 1st AvenueAnchorage, AK 99501. Glacier Blue guests are provided all special equipment for this tour. "Beautiful scenery! Route Map | Alaska Railroad Please note: This tour can depart from Girdwood or Anchorage, so when contacting our reservations team, please indicate where you will be departing from. 2 Map Website. Want to stop often for pictures among surreal icebergs floating on either side of your kayak? Much of the trail follows or parallels the Johnson Military Road, built in 1907 as a wagon road that helped link Seward with the boom towns of Sunrise and Hope on Turnagain Arm. You can also call them to check on the progress of their four sites since the plan is to install a bear-proof food locker at each site by next summer.