Portage Glacier and Lake, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.
Hard to beat this camping site! From a recent backpacking trip.
2016 Alaska Brown Bear Photo Tour
A year and a half old cub from this past June’s Photo Tour.
I have been doing two Alaska bear photo tours into Lake Clark for many years now, but that is going to change in 2016. You see, I contributed one of my trips to Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris and it is now part of a very extensive Alaska tour going from the far North to South (sold out) that I will be leading for them next year.
So unfortunately, that leaves me just one of these very popular tours for the summer of 2016. So far, just from the wait list, and mailing list, five of the six spots quickly filled (I suppose that is a good reason to be on the mailing list). But the good news is, if you are interested, there is one spot left. Let me know if you have any questions, otherwise follow the link for more information: Alaska Bear Photo Tour.
Portage Pass Trail
Janine with her backpack at the top of the Portage Pass Trail, Whittier, Alaska.
Last Sunday night we hiked the Portage Pass Trail to Portage Glacier and Portage Lake, where we spent a wonderful night listening to the calving glacier while watching the changing light illuminate fields of fireweed. It had been 9 years since I last hiked this trail. Back then, getting to the lake required a lot of route finding and difficult bushwhacking in thick alders well over head high. Today, the Chugach National Forest has improved the trail all the way to the lake – it now has to been one of the best hikes in South-central Alaska! Maybe second only to the Harding Icefield Trail.
The trail begins just to the right (South) after you emerge from the tunnel into the town of Whittier. Follow the signs to the limited parking area. The entire distance from the trail head to the lake is about 2 miles, maybe a little more. You do climb up and down about 800 vertical feet as you cross over the pass, but all and all, it is a easy trail with spectacular views of not only the lake and glacier, but also looking back at Prince William Sound.
Nine years ago when I hiked to the lake, not only was I the only person there, but it appeared I was the first person in weeks to visit this beautiful location. Today? Well the trail improvements have also brought a lot more visitors – Sunday evening I think there were a couple dozen hikers, often with kids visiting the same place. So if you are looking for an easy trail with big benefits, look not further then Portage Pass Trail!
Paddling Boarding Spencer Glacier
Stand up paddlers at Spencer Glacier, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.
We debated about bringing our stand up paddle boards on the train to Spencer Glacier when we camped there earlier this week – in hindsight, I wish we had as it looked like a blast! These nice folks did say we could borrow theirs, although I didn’t take them up on it. Those shorts would have made for a cold swim in case of a fall!
Portage Glacier
Portage Glacier, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.
Took advantage of the nice break in the weather for a couple of short backpacking trips – one to Portage Glacier and another one to Spencer Glacier. Granted, Spencer Glacier involves as much riding on the Alaska Railroad as hiking, but it still counts!
Tree Swallows
Tree Swallows, Seward, Alaska.
This was yesterday from the home office. We have a tree swallow family in the front yard, and a violet-green family in the back – love watching and hearing them, and knowing they eat tons of bugs!
They will likely fledge any day now. Usually the mom places the bug way back into the chicks mouth, but here you can see she almost tosses the fly to the chick, maybe a teaching moment?
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