Alaska July/August 2007

July 29  Anchorage to Cordova via Portage Glacier, Whittier and Ferry

  Under Construction - Come back soon

We flew into Anchorage on arriving a day before the official start of the trip, July 28 at about 3am local time. That day, we met up with two of our fellow travelers, Greg and Jerrine, and spent the day walking from the hotel to downtown and back. We had lunch at the Glacier Brewhouse, lunch was excellent. Found the REI on our way back to the hotel.

On the morning of July 29, we met up with the rest of our group and headed off. We first stopped at a Chugach State Park for a quick orientation from our guides, Ophir and Kyle. This park is adjacent to the "Turnagain Arm" of Cook Inlet.

We then drove to Portage Lake and spent some time at the visitor's center. After that we lined up to pass through the tunnel to Whittier. This tunnel was originally a railroad tunnel, single track, but has been converted to use by both trains and vehicles. Upon arriving on the Whittier side of the tunnel, we took a hike up the old Portage trail to the pass and looked again upon Portage Lake as well as Portage Glacier. Use of this trail or road cuts off the whole of the Kenai Peninsula between Anchorage and Prince William Sound.

After the hike, we had lunch out of the van, and continued into Whittier where we caught the fast ferry to Cordova. (There is a slow ferry as well)
Dinner was on our own, but we all ate at the same place, the Taco Bus




Portage Lake

Topo of  hike up to Portage Pass from Whittier



and the profile of the hike



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This page maintained by Don Samuels 

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This page last updated September 3, 2007