Day Trip: Anchorage to Portage Glacier

Distance and time: about 60 miles/1 hour 30 minutes

Portage Glacier and Portage Lake

The Kenai Peninsula, were it not for a 14 mile isthmus, Portage Valley, would be an island. As it stands, a small ribbon of land connects the Kenai to mainland Alaska.

Long ago, Portage Glacier extended through the length of the valley. Some glacial remnants are visible such as Burns, Byron, Explorer, Middle and Shakespeare glaciers. These glaciers, massive and awe inspiring in their current state, are only vestiges of the ice sheets that used to cover the Portage Valley landscape.

Portage Glacier view

There are plenty of public campgrounds that can accommodate tents and RVs in the Portage Glacier region.

Begich, Boggs Visitor Center

Within sight of Portage Glacier, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center stands, built on the glacier’s terminal moraine. A U.S. federal installation, the Visitor Center offers award-winning exhibits, an Alaska Geographic bookstore, educational opportunities and a film.

Catch these links to local information: 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/chugach/home/?cid=stelprdb5251094

http://www.recreation.gov/recAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&facilityId=203882&agencyCode=131

Byron Glacier trail is easily accessible near Portage Lake

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recarea/?recid=71943

Portage Glacier Cruises and Tours

You can catch a Portage Glacier cruise at Portage Lake.  Parking is available adjacent to the dock. A number of tour companies will also provide transportation to and from Anchorage.

Here is just one link to an available source:

http://www.portageglaciercruises.com/tours.cfm

A view of Byron Glacier near Portage Lake

In and around Anchorage: Alaska Public Lands Information Center

The Alaska Public Lands Information Center is housed in a U.S. federal building. We appreciated knowing that in advance of our visit, since we needed to present a passport or other federal identification. We also passed through a security gate, emptied pockets and opened purse for a cursory search.

The Information Center helps visitors
learn about Alaska wildlife; Photo provided
by Visit Anchorage

The Information Center shows films, provides maps, hosts natural history exhibits, and is staffed with knowledgeable uniformed rangers who answer questions and provide presentations. It is located at 605 W. Fourth Ave. in downtown Anchorage. There is no charge for entry. 

Click here details:

Alaska Public Lands Information Center: Anchorage

In and around Anchorage—Earthquake Park, Point Woronzof, and Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Moose abound in Anchorage;
Photo provided by Visit Anchorage

Earthquake Park is located not far from Anchorage International Airport. The park provides an expansive walking and bicycling trail. On a day with great visibility, you can catch a wide panorama that includes Sleeping Lady, aka Mount Susitna, that lies across the Cook Inlet from Anchorage. 

You can also see the Alaska Range and even Denali, known outside of Alaska as Mount McKinley. 

The Park, on West Northern Lights Boulevard near Aircraft Drive, is fee-free and open daily. The trail system is dotted with interpretative signs to help you understand how the landscape was formed. It connects with the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Visitors should be advised that the park is frequently visited by wildlife, with moose sightings particularly common.

Anchorage skyline; photo provided by Visit Anchorage

The area where Earthquake Park now stands was once covered in homes. In 1964, when a 9.2 earthquake struck on Good Friday, more than 70 of the homes toppled into the Cook Inlet. The earthquake, North America’s largest recorded one, left $68 million in damages in its wake.

The airport strives to keep to moose off runways with high fences. When moose encounter the no-way-in fences, they tend to congregate. As a result, the area of the Trail adjacent to Point Woronzof can be wonderful for moose viewing from inside a vehicle. Keep a civil distance between you and moose.

Bicyclists photo provided by
Visit Anchorage

If you like to walk, jog or bicycle, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail offers a great opportunity to see Anchorage from the coastal perspective. The Trail follows the edge of the Knik Arm of the Cook Inlet and provides a number of logical places to start and stop explorations from Elderberry Park in the downtown area, to Westchester Lagoon or all the way to Earthquake Park. 

In and around Anchorage—Arctic Valley

Distance and Time: about 14 miles/30 minutes

Arctic Valley may be better known with Anchorage locals than with visitors.

A small stream atop Arctic Valley... the origin of Ship Creek? 

As we drove into Arctic Valley, we entered Moose Run Golf Course. This military course is open to civilians including visitors from far and wide. Together, Moose Run’s Hill and Creek Courses are known as “the world's northernmost 36-hole golf course.”

Wild geranium, one of many wildflowers in Arctic Valley

As the elevation increased on Arctic Valley Road, the driving became a bit steeper and more challenging. This area east of and high above Anchorage’s downtown invites visitors to hike, watch birds and other wildlife, see wildflowers and in the summer pick berries. At the top near the Arctic Valley Ski Area, set among a thicket of trees, we found a wellspring of water we were told is the origin of Ship Creek.

The valley is accessible from Arctic Valley Road, a little more than a 20 minute drive from Anchorage. From downtown Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway east toward Eagle River. Take the first exit for Arctic Valley and follow the road to the ski area.

For more information:

Moose Run Golf Course

Moose Run Golf Course: Directions

Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Viewing: ArcticValley

In and around Anchorage: Lake Hood

Photography provided by Visit Anchorage

Lake Hood is the world’s busiest float plane lake. It handles about 190 flights every day. It is located about three miles from the Anchorage downtown center, off Lake Hood Drive and just north of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. 

In and around Anchorage: off-leash dog & other parks

In our quest for dog parks in Anchorage, we found the off-leash area at Russian Jack Springs Park most favorable. The huge open meadow off Pine Street provided ample room for our large, energetic dog to run. Another park our dog appreciated was at Jewel Lake, just north of West Dimond Blvd. (yes, Dimond is the correct spelling) and west of West 88^th Avenue. The lake was not excessively cold in summer and our dog loves to swim and retrieve.

When we read about other dog parks in Anchorage, we found Far North Bicentennial Park mentioned, along with the park adjacent to University Lake near the University of Alaska campus off Elmore Road. We were never able to locate the off-leash area at Far North Bicentennial Park, and we heard from another dog owner that during their visit, the beavers at University Lake had been aggressive toward dogs. 

Try these links for more information: 

Anchorage Park Foundation: Russian Jack Springs Park

Doggoes: Russian Jack Springs Off Leash Dog Area

Municipality of Anchorage: Parks and Recreation:Off-Leash Dog Areas

All dogs, especially camping dogs, need  a place to run

Day Trip: Anchorage to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Distance and time: about 49 miles/1 hour

Adults and kids can see moose safely up close at the AWCC

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) takes in injured and orphaned animals—more than 150 of them summer 2012—that are not be able released to the wild. The AWCC works with other facilities throughout the U.S. to place animals. Many live out their lives at AWCC.

A grizzly bear that cannot be released to the wild finds a home 

What AWCC does, in addition to providing great care and enclosures with maximum freedom to roam, is provide education and opportunities for visitors to Alaska to get an up close and personal view of animals without danger to the animals or people. Visitors can either drive through or walk through and see the frosty breath of caribou, musk ox, moose, bear, lynx, and wood bison.

The wood bison at AWCC are just one example. AWCC is home to only herd of wood bison in the U.S., and it is at work on an ambitious restoration project to bring back these animals that were once believed to be extinct. Location: Mile 79 Seward Highway

Wood bison are being restored at the AWCC south of Anchorage, AK

Day Trip: Anchorage to Iditarod Headquarters

Distance and time: about 45 miles/ 50+ minutes

Iditarod Headquarters is located in Wasilla. The center has a museum, a gift shop, and videos about the race for viewing. When we visited, there were also puppies to visit and hold. The headquarters encourages you learn about the history of the Iditarod, and perhaps even ride down the trail. We especially enjoyed going into an adjacent shed and reading the labels on the dog food to compare nutrient content to pet store dog food brands.

P.S. We left our dog safe in our vehicle. The sled dogs seemed inclined to howl their interest in visiting dogs, and we didn’t want them to be disturbed by her presence or our pet to be intimidated.

In and around Anchorage--Anchorage Weekend Market & Festival

This summer market and festival is held in the open lot at the southeast corner of Third Avenue and E Street every Saturday and Sunday usually beginning mid-May and early to mid-September. Hours are usually 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival features crafts, locally grown produce as it appears seasonally, souvenirs, food booths and often live entertainment. 

 (Photography provided by Visit Anchorage)

The event is pet friendly, with a wide open grassy hill adjacent. Pets should be leashed and cleaned up after. Pay parking is available for cars. During the festival, there is no oversized vehicle parking.

What we enjoyed especially during summer 2012 was that prices were exactly as posted in Anchorage. There was no sales tax inside the city.

In and around Anchorage: Anchorage to Flattop and Glen Alps Trailhead

The name and location of the most-climbed mountain in Alaska may surprise you. It’s Flattop. By Alaska standards, it is certainly not tall—only 3,510 ft. It’s only a few minutes’ drive from downtown Anchorage, within Chugach State Park. Chugach itself spans about 500,000 acres, and is one of the largest state parks in the U.S.

Alaska's Chugach State Park extends over about 500,000 acres

In addition to being accessible from Anchorage, the trail offers a moderately challenging, steep climb shy of the summit. Lower areas of the trail are easy to follow and include railings on stairways, steps and some switchbacks. The overall 1.5 mile climb to the summit, a 1,280 ft. rise, leads to some very ground and loose rock. Additionally, even well into June and July, there can be snow and ice on the trail. Hikers are advised to wear appropriate shoes and when in doubt, return to the trailhead and sit it out.

The view from the Glen Alps Trailhead, weather permitting, permits some stunning photo opportunities of a distant downtown Anchorage and the Cook Inlet. Parking at the trailhead has a nominal fee. At the time of our visit, summer 2012, it was $5. 

Alaska Department of Natural Resources: Division of Parks& Outdoor Recreation: Glen Alps Webcam

Guide to Flattop Mountain Trail in Chugach State Park

In and around Anchorage—Ship Creek & Ship Creek Trail

Walking, cycling and fishing in downtown Anchorage

Ship Creek Trail is a relatively flat walking and bicycling trail that extends 2.6 miles along the creek and the railroad tracks in Anchorage. We often entered the trail from a number of access points, including behind the Ulu Factory and from the parking lot of the Bay View Building on Ship Creek Avenue. 

The Ship Creek Salmon Viewing Platform on the footbridge that crosses Ship Creek gives visitors an opportunity to view salmon as they arrive for seasonal spawning. The bridge and trail also give visitors a chance to see some animated urban “combat” fishing when the season is high. Fishing is permitted as directed by Alaska Fish & Game. Night time fishing is prohibited. Fishermen need to note the cable that spans the creek downstream from the bridge and fish viewing platform, and only fish downstream of it.

Valid State of Alaska fishing licenses are available in a number of locations, from the downtown Army Navy Surplus store (an experience in its own right) to Walmart and sporting goods stores.

Traditionally, the king salmon run begins in early June and lasts until early to mid-July. Silvers, also known as coho, follow the kings, with a run from late July until as late as October.

Fishing takes place from the shore and via wading in Ship Creek

Ship Creek, center for combat fishing

Ship Creek has its source in the mountains atop Arctic Valley and flows into the Cook Inlet in Anchorage. Visitors stand along the bridge with its viewing platform in the hopes of seeing salmon throughout the summer months.

Fishermen fish from along the banks or wade into the creek to catch salmon during their various seasons--kings in early June until the middle of July and silver salmon most commonly in August. It is not uncommon during a big salmon run to see people fishing shoulder to shoulder in what is known as "combat fishing."

Disabled fishing access

Along the trail very near the Comfort Inn in Anchorage is an access point where less-sure-footed people including small children and those with disabilities can cast. It is the Sarah Bidwell Handicapped Fishing Platform. 

State of Alaska: Alaska Department of Fish and Game: ShipCreek: Wildlife Viewing

Summer clover bloom along the Ship Creek Trail

Be a sourdough—talk like an Alaska local

Breakup is not a sad thing. Breakup means rivers will soon be ice free

Q. What is “Breakup?”

A. Breakup is a shoulder season akin to mud season in Montana in the lower 48. The snow melts in spring. The ice that covers rivers and streams begins to break apart, or break-up. Chunks of ice float downstream. Breakup means winter is ending and summer is on its way.

Some ice floes on sea ice refuse to participate in breakup

Q. What is "Outside?"

A. Outside is any location other than Alaska. This includes all the contiguous U.S. states. If someone is from somewhere other than Alaska, he is from Outside.

Q. What is “PFD?”

A. Qualifying Alaskans receive money each year from dividends on a Permanent Fund, monies related to oil and gas sales. In Alaska, PFD, or Permanent Fund Dividend, is distributed once each year. Much like dividends from other kinds of investments, it can vary from year to year. In some years, it has meant an additional one or more thousand dollars a year to individuals.

Q. What is “termination dust?”

A. Termination dust is snow, a specific snow event. On some mountains, snow is never fully gone. However, many Alaska mountaintops emerge green in the midst of summer. When the first dusting of snow coats the peaks with white, summer is drawing to a close. Summer visitors tend to leave before the mountain passes are difficult to traverse.

Q. What is “the valley?”

A. It’s not the San Fernando Valley or the Shenandoah Valley. It is the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The valley is the farmland outside of Anchorage. In it, also known as the Mat-Su Valley, are towns including Palmer, Willow and Wasilla, and the huge recreational area, Big Lake.

And as for those other questions that continue about Anchorage...

Q. Directionally speaking, how does Anchorage compare with other major cities?

A. Helsinki, Finland, and Anchorage are about equally far north. Honolulu, Hawaii and Anchorage are similarly west.

Q. With 22 hours of functional daylight in the longest days of summer, how does Anchorage fare for daylight in shortest days of winter?

A. Anchorage has only about five and a half hours of daylight. 

Perspectives on Anchorage--boat and train

Commemorative anchor at the small boat launch

Anchorage Small Boat Launch
Photography provided by Visit Anchorage

In and around Anchorage—
Anchorage Small Boat Launch

The small boat ramp in Anchorage, while it does not offer much in the way of park ambiance or seating, offers some panoramic views of the water and the city. To get there, we traveled north on C Street, crossed Ship Creek, bent left onto Ocean Dock Road and drove on Ocean Dock between the stacks of containers. We continued to the end and found ample parking.

Anchorage Small Boat Launch on a cloudy day

Alaska Railroad Whistle Stops

Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of an old-fashioned idea—the train whistle stop. As just one example, the train that runs south from Anchorage along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet lets people off at Girdwood. There is no station, but there is plenty of opportunity for adventuring for a few hours before catching the return train.

Alaska Railroad train along the Turnagain Arm near Girdwood

Anchorage, Alaska Q & A continued…

Q. Is Anchorage an international city?

A. If the school district is any indication, most certainly it is. In local schools, the number of languages approaches 100.

Q. On the North American continent, is there a community larger than Anchorage that lies on the north side of the 60^th parallel?

A. No. Anchorage is the largest.

Q. Anchorage is the Alaska city with the highest percentage of people who reside there. Is there another U.S. state with a higher percentage of people in its largest city?

A. Yes. New York. It is the only other state. 

Some easy ways to get around downtown Anchorage, Alaska

Getting Around Anchorage—Ulu Factory free trolley shuttle

From our RV site at Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park, it was an easy walk to Ship Creek, to the Alaska Railroad Depot and to the Ulu Factory, home of the famous curved edge ulu knives. The Ulu Factory also provides a free—as in no cost—shuttle via a vintage trolley. Since the walk to downtown is up a hill with a long, rather steep staircase, the trolley is a welcome resource. 

The shuttle runs from the factory at 211 West Ship Creek Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501-1603, to the downtown Log Cabin Visitors Center. The schedule, from 10:00 and to 7:00 pm June, July and August, is posted on the Ulu Factory web site:

The Ulu Factory 

Anchorage City Trolley Tours

As a way of getting acquainted with Anchorage and getting an overview of the city, Anchorage City Trolley Tours provides a one hour trolley tour for a fee. Tours begin at 4th and F Street, next to the Log Cabin Visitors Information Center.

Anchorage City Trolley Tours 

The Alaska Railroad station, an historic landmark, is within walking distance
of downtown Anchorage high rise buidlings

The authentic sod-roofed Log Cabin Visit Anchorage Information Center is the cornerstone of Alaska adventure.

Visit Anchorage Information Centers 

Q. How many mountain ranges can you see when you are in Anchorage?

A. Six. They include in alphabetical order the Alaska, Aleutian, Chugach, Kenai, Talkeetna and Tordrillo ranges.

Q. Is Anchorage city water clear and pure?

A. The water of Anchorage has received the honor of being named the best tasting water by none other than a conference of U.S. Mayors in a city water taste-test of cities across the USA.

Q. Has Anchorage ever been designated an All-America city?

A. Yes. Not once, and not twice, but four separate times by the National Civic League. The years on record are 1956, again in 1965, once more for 1984 to 1985, and additionally in 2002.

Anchorage, Alaska RV Parks

Visitors from Outside Alaska need to know that Ship Creek
is wide and can run fast from snow melt

Golden Nugget RV Park has 215 Sites and is open year-round. It is located close to downtown but not in old downtown, and is within walking distance to public transportation, city bike trails, and the more centrally located Anchorage Costco store.

Golden Nugget RV Park, Anchorage, Alaska. 

Creekwood Inn RV Park has 68 spaces, 58 of which offer full hook-ups. It is located at 2150 Seward Highway, Anchorage, AK 99503. Creekwood Inn RV Park, Anchorage, Alaska. 

Ship Creek RV Park, open seasonally, is located at 150 N. Ingra Street, Anchorage, AK 99501. It is the closest RV park to downtown Anchorage, and is about a 10 minute to the heart of downtown.

Anchorage Ship Creek RV Park (from Alaska Travel Adventures®): 

Centennial Campground is operated by the Municipality of Anchorage: Parks and Recreation. It is located at 8300 Glenn Highway (off Muldoon Rd & Boundary Ave). Its location allows guests to have campfires in designated areas. Bear aware practices are also advised.

Centennial Campground. 

Fishing is restricted to a specific area below the bridge at Ship Creek

Anchorage--a dog-friendly town

Things to bring to Alaska—pet supplies

Just as we could not bring along enough food for months of travel, we knew we would need to purchase pet food and treats during our Alaska stay. As it turned out, dogs are not just pets in Alaska. They are a lifestyle. We were set. Resources were all around. 

Start of the Iditarod Race
Photography provided by Visit Anchorage

Costco carries familiar brands. There are Petsmart stores in Anchorage. We also became fans of Alaska Mill and Feed in Anchorage, with its pet supply section that rivals big box stores plus a knowledgeable staff that is super helpful and willing to spend time helping customers make selections.

Photo courtesy Alaska Mill and Feed Anchorage

Alaska Mill and Feed

http://www.alaskamillandfeed.com/

PetSmart North Anchorage Alaska

http://stores.petsmart.com/Store/Details/2093

Anchorage Alaska Quiz Continues

Q. With its Metropolitan Statistical Area population of about 290,000, how big is Anchorage in terms of area covered?

A. It is about as big as the entire state of Delaware, covering just under 2,000 square miles. 

Q. What percentage of Alaska’s population calls Anchorage home?

A. 44 percent, as reported in the 2010 U.S. census.

Q. In its origin, was Anchorage a mining town, a fishing town, or a railroad town?

A. Anchorage grew out of a tent camp along Ship Creek, populated by people who worked and built the railroad.

Arriving and Driving in Anchorage, Alaska

Driving in Anchorage with all of its one-way streets can be tricky, but there is an easy way to get your bearings. Remember that there are two highways named “1.” 

Photo Credit: Skyline of Anchorage From the Water: Region Southcentral:
Location Anchorage: http://commerce.alaska.gov/apl/photo2.cfm?q=1

The Glenn Highway, 1, heads from Anchorage to points north and east such as Wasilla, Denali and Fairbanks.

The New Seward Highway, 1, terminates at its north end in downtown Anchorage. In its final northern few blocks, it is Ingra Street northbound and Gambell Street southbound.

The New Seward Highway southbound follows the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet to the Portage Valley, Whittier and the Kenai Peninsula that ultimately includes Seward and Homer.

Anchorage, Alaska map with thanks to the Alaska Public
Offices Commission (APOC)

A note about Alaska and satellite radio

In the lower 48, we subscribe and enjoy satellite radio. We were assured by a satellite radio rep that it would work in Alaska. The relationship between the satellites and far northern horizon is such that reception just didn’t happen. 

An Anchorage, Alaska Quiz

Q. In which Alaskan region is Anchorage located?

A. Southcentral.

Q. What is the official name of Anchorage?

A. The Municipality of Anchorage.

Things to bring to Alaska

Food

We had heard and found it to be true that food is expensive by “lower 48” standards in Alaska. We had sticker shock when saw a single apple costing about four times what it would cost in Arizona. Upon reflection, it is easy to see why. Fresh fruit has to travel a long way to Alaska, so of course it is costly.

We packed and brought items that we figured would be expensive and perhaps hard to find. We left the rest to providence and it all turned out fine.

Costco, we discovered, holds their prices in Alaska close to “lower 48” prices. Once we were settled in to Anchorage, we shopped at Costco to take advantage of the prices. Similarly, Walmart proved to be great a great grocery resource. Other grocery stores such as Safeway, called Carr’s in Alaska, and Fred Meyer were also our go-to stops. With both, we followed the sale flyers online to take advantage of the current best buys.