One of the world’s most beautiful drives is on the Seward Highway out of Anchorage to Portage Glacier. This journey is not just a drive, but an experience unlike any other. There are tons of sights along this two lane highway that seems to have been chipped from the Chugach Mountains right along the waters of Turnagain Arm. If you don’t want to drive to Seward, you can take the train there. The Alaska Railroad covers this same drive and allows you to see the entire trip and you can see it much more clearly without having to worry about the road.
There are several sights along the highway that you’ll also want to see:
Potter Marsh – Mile Marker 117 – A broad marsh has formed by water impounded behind the tracks of the Alaska Railroad and a bluff. There is a boardwalk here so that you can get out and observe green grasses and a variety of birds.
Potter Section House – Mile Marker 115 – At the south end of the marsh, there is a section house that was a maintenance station for the railroad in the early days. Today it is the offices of the Chugach State Park. Across the road, you will find the Turnagain Arm Trail which provides amazing views of the highway between the tree breaks.
McHugh Creek – Mile Marker 111 – Located four miles south of Potter, is this state park picnic area that also features a challenging day hike climbing up to Rabbit Lake. The lake sits in a tundra mountain bowl. You can also climb to the top of McHugh Peak.
Beluga Point – Mile Marker 110 – Not far from McHugh Creek, you may be able to see beluga whales in the water below, especially if the tide is right and the salmon are running. There are spotting scopes here for enhanced viewing.
Windy Point – Mile Marker 106 – Windy Point is a great spot to see Dall sheep. The sheep have become accustomed to people and each year become braver and braver. Whenever there are cars parked here, it’s usually because the sheep are visible.
Bird Ridge Trail and Bird Creek – Mile Marker 100 – Here you will find a trail that climbs 3,000 feet in a little less than a mile. The views become more impressive as you climb higher. You will also find Bird Creek here that will allow you to do some quick salmon fishing. Even if you don’t have time to fish, this is an excellent place for some hiking and sightseeing.
The Flats – Miles Marker 96-90 – Pull-outs on the right side of the highway have interpretive signs and at low tide, the entire Turnagain Arm narrows into a winding channel of mud.
Turnoff to Girdwood – Mile Marker 90 – If you want to go skiing, here’s your turn-off! You can also stop for some shopping, a meal, and a restroom break while filling up your gas tank.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – Mile Marker 79 – This is a non-profit organization that provides homes to injured and orphaned animals including deer, owls, moose, elk, bison, bears, foxes, musk ox, and caribou. This is a 140 acre compound of animals in enclosures that are as large as 18 acres. You can take a tour and then get a snack at the concession stand. You can get closer to animals at the zoo, but these are more natural enclosures. Call 907-783-2025 for more information.
Portage Glacier – Mile Marker 78 for the 5.5 mile spur road – This glacier has largely melted, receding out of the 800 foot deep lake. Other exhibits here include Begich, Boggs Visitor Center and the Chugach National Forest. You also have the option of taking a day boat trip on the lake to get a closer view of the glacier. The trip leaves every 90 minutes and is an hour long each way. If you’re not going to have the chance to see any of the other glaciers, then you will want to take this trip.
Visiting Girdwood
Girdwood is best known for its skiing on Mt. Alyeska, and the Alyeska Resort is world class caliber in accommodations, but summer is not prime skiing time. There are several attractions that the mountain offers visitors in the summer including hiking, the Mt. Alyeska tram and the Crow Creek Mine.
Crow Creek Mine opened in 1898 and is still operated today as a tourist attraction. The prime attraction here is to buy a bag of sand and pan for gold. You will also love the charm the mine has with rabbits and ducks wandering around the building. This is great for families with children.
The tram is not cheap, but if you’re not going to be able to climb the mountain, this is the best way to see it. Plus, when you get to the top, you’ll find the Seven Glaciers Restaurant. The tram takes you 2,300 feet in just seven minutes. The views are limitless and beautiful.
Prince William Sound via Whittier
The Prince William Sound is found in the Chugach National Forest. The forest is the nation’s second largest forest in the country and the sound is like a world all of its own. Here you will find 3,500 miles of shoreline enfolded in islands, fjords and passages. Glaciers loom on the northwestern part of the sound and it’s common to see orca and humpback whales in the sound as well as sea otters, dolphins and seals.
Whittier is the ideal place if you want to spend the day boating and exploring the sound. Whittier is small with a population of 182. It is perhaps one of the oddest towns in America, but they have great boating trips and you’ll find several tour operators located there.
