We provide large dry bags to keep extra clothes and equipment dry for the group. Route Map | Glacier Discovery | Alaska Railroad Each campsite accommodates multiple tents ranging from 10 people 20 people. Ride the Alaska Railroad's Glacier Discovery Train from Anchorage, Whittier, or Portage, to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. Its possible to get up onto the moraine and to the glacier, but it can be a bit tricky, so I wouldnt really recommend it with younger kids especially if no one in the group has good glacier travel skills. The horns grow rather quickly in the summer, and they stop growing in the winter. Ill be honest, though, I find their booking system frustrating and confusing, and if you can call or email, you might be better off. 5:15 PM - Arrive in Portage and board motorcoach back to Anchorage or take Chugach Adventures' Van Shuttle Back to Girdwood Now, most residents live in the modern central building you see. Ill be honest, though, I find their booking system frustrating and confusing, and if you can call or email, you might be better off. It can get very cool near glaciers. Our inflatable paddle boards and inflatable kayaks have amazing stability and make for a very safe and less splashy experience. Connect to a Glacier & Wildlife Cruise in Prince William Sound (from the port of Whittier) and visit active tidewater glaciers, or hire your own small-boat charter to explore or kayak the Sound. Some people got down here for Glacier walk. We would be taking the train from Girdwood/Portage and are just planning on hiking. We tried to hike as much as we can further around the lake toward the iceberg, but had to turn back halfway to catch the train. There is a building with a red roof in the parking lot with a sign that says Kenai Fjords Tours. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, raft amid glacial icebergs, and enjoy a delicious salmon bake in full view of Spencer Glacier. Alaska Railroad Spencer Glacier (86 images) - PhotoShelter They save certain animals and release them into the wild if they are able. Susanna. Tour will be run in a raft with your experienced and professional guide providing the paddle power from the stern. Join a USFS ranger at the Spencer Whistle Stop for a narrated 1.5 mile hike to Spencer Lake. We saw bear scat and a few piles of odd bear berry vomit. From there, join your guide for an easy two mile walk (4.2 miles round-trip) on a well maintained trail to the face of Spencer Glacier. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Once with us, you can sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views over two mountain passes. Hey Cedric, this is more of a scenic tourist train focusing on glacier viewing and nature walks. Passengers are free to explore on their own, or take advantage of a variety of guided excursions offered at Spencer Glacier before catching the train back to civilization. Be careful when pouring the kerosene in, it likes to dribble all over your arm which can really harsh your mellow when lighting poopy toilet paper fires. 11:00 AM - Guides board train at the Girdwood stop. The first "dispersed" sites have enough sites for easily 5+ tents. These sites are located right along the lake and maintained. All passengers are assigned seats by the Alaska Railroad upon check in at the depot. 1:25PM: Eat lunches on the train. You can call them at 800-544-0552 or email them at reservations@akrr.com. Some of our salmon and trout fishing happens in the region, including commercial fishing in the copper river. Long sleeved underwear both top and bottom is a good choice for colder days. Utilizing the motorcoach for this portion shortens the trip by more than two hours. Amazing views of glacier make new Spencer Bench cabin popular But few hikers came this way in the summer. Glacier Discovery Train | Alaska Railroad An easy day-trip, get away from the roads, and see beautiful scenery and wildlife. Can you take the discovery train, the Phillips cruise, sleep in Girdwood, then catch the coastal train to Seward the next morning? Yes they are a little slower than a hard shell, but come try an inflatable for yourself and experience the difference. Let us know beforehand if you need a size larger than mens 13. Price: $258 Includes float trip and RT tickets on the Glacier Discovery Train, Price: $148* RT from Anchorage to Grandview, Take a motorcoach back to Girdwood or Anchorage, You can certainly book online on the Alaska Railroad website. Bears, Trains, & Icebergs Tour Itinerary: 8:45 - 9:00 AM - Arrive at Anchorage Railroad Depot for check-in (tickets at Will Call) 9:45 AM - Glacier Discovery Train departs Anchorage. The Portage train station is located a just an scenic hour drive south of Anchorage along Turnagain arm or a beautiful hour drive from our facility in Cooper Landing through the heart of the Chugach National Forest. What a beautiful train ride! Spencer Glacier and Grandview Day Trips on the Alaska Railroad Great post!! Or is this more of a viewing point only? Do order ahead from the Wild Catch cafe for lunch. I would recommend contacting the Alaska Railroad via email to get the right ticket and option for you. Q: When can I fly out of Anchorage or Fairbanks after arriving by train? There are 2 group camp sites and 3 groups of established campsites along the trail. Learn More >, Book Now with no risk, your deposit is fully refundable until 31 days prior to travel with the purchase of our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) | AlaskaTrain.com #1 Posted January 7, 2010 The Spencer trip is $100 more PP than the Portage trip. The Placer River is a Class I to Class II river and is suitable for all ages and abilities. This roundtrip train ride passes through one such access point, the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. I am sort of leaning towards. The Glacier Discovery Train is a scenic ride offering the very best views in Alaska, including mountains, wildlife, glaciers, waterfalls, and historical sights. The trail leads through the lush forest with several sections of raised boardwalks and bridges, featuring views of the surrounding mountains and opportunities for wildlife and fish viewing. Sign up with your email and we'll keep you posted on what's going on "We had an amazing experience on the train. We will provide you with time tested, heavy duty rain gear to keep you dry in our unpredictable Alaskan weather. About 30% is covered in ice including the glaciers youll see along the way. Spencer Glacier Whistlestop train? For the adventurous type, you can hop off and for an overnight camp (camping equipment required as well as reserving a spot) or book a rafting excursion before catching the train back to Anchorage. An Alaska Railroad passenger excursion train at Spencer Glacier. Its a flat hike and not difficult whatsoever. Wh, I could just sit and observe wildlife in their nat, Black Bear Kayaking in Tofino was an incredib, When Ganesh and I heard about the new multi-use pa, Spending time in Swxw7mesh this spring also, I'm thankful to have spent spring volunteerin, Monfrage National Park in Spain Guide for Nature and Birding, Nature in Spain 15 Incredible Natural Landscapes in Spain, Montserrat Nature Park and Monastery Day Trip from Barcelona, https://curiositysavestravel.com/sustainable-travel-guide-seward-alaska/, Riding the Glacier Discovery Train with the Alaska Railroad is one of the best things to do near Anchorage, Hop on and hop off for a fully customizable day of adventures to suit your taste, A leisurely pace prioritizes views, wildlife, and an intimate introduction to Alaskan nature, See glaciers, waterfalls, and hopefully lots of wildlife. We have special SUP paddles that can be both a stand up paddle with one blade or a two piece kayak paddle. Notebook for journaling all the awesome things you see. You can move around the train, so it doesnt matter.. but.. On your left side, you have mountains with chances to see Dall Sheep defying gravity and clinging to the rocks. People who never have been on them before are known to comment on how much more stable our boats were than they thought they were going to be. Its a large area with lots of room for the animals, and you can spend time walking around and viewing the brown and black bears that live there full time, along with lynx, and other animals such fox, muskox, moose, and eagle. You can always reach out to the Alaska Railroad for help. Girdwood. The experience of paddling yourself across a lake, weaving among icebergs, listening to just the sound ofraw Alaska is one you dont want to miss. One of my favorite things about visiting Alaska without a cruise is the luxury and flexibility to enjoy some of Alaskas best-kept local secrets, like the Alaska Railroads Glacier Discovery Train, including the Spencer Whistle Stop. Child rate: $71. Either way, you still need to pay full price for RT tickets. We recommend bringing a water bottle and lunch with you. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. This looks like an amazing journey to go on! M signifies motorcoach transfer from Portage to either Anchorage or Girdwood is included. Alaska Railroad Spencer Glacier Day Trip | AlaskaTravel.com The first stop will be to load up rafts on the train, no one gets off or on here. If you wake up early enough and grab a snickers bar and/or a line of cocaine you can do some real off trail navigational exploring to the ice caves at Railroad Peak glacier. The Adventures of Nicole is a participant in the * This trip could be changed to the Ice to Ocean Placer River float due to high winds on Spencer Lake that could prevent us from using SUP or kayaking. All tours include the necessary equipment, gear and professionally trained guides to make sure you have a comfortable and rewarding Alaskan glacier experience! Its a bit of a chunk of change to do this hike. We have kids in the party so wanted to ensure what to expect. Or a longer train ride with stops to see animals at the wildlife center and a nature walk at Spencer sound more appealing to you and your kid? " Aug 2021 The Alaska Railroad offers one level of service on the Spencer Glacier route. Add any of the below excursions to your rail itinerary by calling Alaska Railroad reservations at 800.544.0552. Keep a sharp eye out here: passengers frequently spot Beluga whales, Dall sheep, eagles, and moose. I love Girdwood so much I got married here (wedding image above). I recommend some hiking pants or something similar. Spencer Lake and Placer River Float, Stand Up Paddle Board & Inflatable Kayak Tours, Alaska Rivers Co. 2021 | Developed by Sound Web Solutions. Your email address will not be published. You can ride the tram to the top of the mountains for great views of 7 glaciers, fancy cocktails, or just a brisk hike. Provided Equipment: Lake and River Rafting Tours, Provided Equipment: Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Inflatable Kayak Tours, There are restroom facilities at the Portage Train Station, on the train, and at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, after that there will be the great outdoors. Thanks in advance. Dates Available: June 1- September 16, 2023, Campsite Number of campers Rate per night, Campsite A 15 $65.00, Campsite B 10 $35.00, Campsite A & B 25 $100.00. The Alaska Railroad ( reporting mark ARR) is a Class II railroad [4] [5] that operates freight and passenger trains in the state of Alaska. Trains operate from late May to mid-September. in one of 3 campsites. Glacier Discovery focuses on providing guests with an intimate introduction to Alaskas unique nature and landscapes. Access to otherwise unreachable Alaskan backcountry. Whittier. Plus you will be wearing a leash on your ankle so the boat cant get away from you. There is a little sheltered area and outhouse at the whistle stop. She lived there with her family along with all the other Whitter residents. Yes, you will get a little wet, but you will be really surprised how dry you can actually stay for being so close to the water. I love going on train rides. Big ship or small ship? The train will pick you up on its way home at the end of the day. Spencer Glacier Rail & Trail - Gray Line Alaska The trail winds through the Grandview valley with stunning exclusive views on either side. The scenery looks stunning! Our Stand-Up-Paddle board (SUP) and inflatable kayak tours give you an opportunity to see the beauty of Alaska with a whole new perspective. We will take you from the headwaters of a magnificent glacier lake surrounded by snow capped mountains and the face of Spencer Glacier and float down the enormous Placer River drainage ending up with the smell of the ocean as we approach Turnagain Arm. However, the train only runs once a day RT, and you must let the conductor or train staff know what your planned schedule is. The Glacier Discovery train service is not year-round. It stops through Whittier and again in Girdwood before returning to Anchorage as the sun begins to set. Its also home to one of the most spectacular and visible glaciers along the Railbelt: Spencer Glacier, a massive wall of ice cascading down the mountains to Spencer Lake. The Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop features two campsites, each with space for multiple tents. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The route can be somewhat complicated, but the Alaska Railroad staff are accommodating and will prompt you when it is time to hop off and when the train will return to pick you back up. Girdwood. Youll need some friends, a couple of tents, and proper gear. You just need to book a return trip the following day if you overnight. Upon arrival at Spencer Lake, you have . Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. First off, your largest expense will be train tickets (aside from your airfare to get to Alaska). I think we will try and go to Spencer Glacier on our upcoming Alaska vacation and spend a night out there! Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain.