Beginner bike trail in the Moose Flats Recreation Area in the Portage Valley. The Trail of Blue Ice has been on our “must hike” list for a few years now, but we’ve always put off the aptly named trail, because of lack of enthusiasm for hiking in rainy coldness. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. Trail of Blue Ice, Chugach National Forest, Alaska. October.17.2014 - Check out Tripadvisor members' 20,587 candid photos and videos. 7-10 days is the most common. Also be prepared for inclement weather. I will warn you….picture overload is … Moose Flats located on the west end of the Trail of Blue Ice. No need to register, buy now! Car, train, or group tour. round-trip. Willawaw Nature Trail, Anchorage Picture: Trail of Blue Ice. In the non-snow months, the trail tread is a … The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. Download this stock image: Trail of Blue Ice trailhead sign, Chugach National Forest, Portage Lake, Southcentral Alaska, Spring, HDR - C30MBD from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. The Trail of Blue Ice stays on the valley floor and links all the developed recreation sites in Portage Valley. You can pick up the trail at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center and end at the Moose Flats Day Use Area (or you can take the trail in the reverse direction). Park here and head out on the trail heading east: The dirt path winds through the Portage Valley, passing glacial lakes and ending at Portage Lake (this part of the trip is 5 miles each way). On the south side of the trail, you can see three hanging glaciers: Byron, Middle, and Explorer which make for … Includes time for exploring. Common flowering plants include seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida), fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), dwarf fireweed (Chamerion latifolium), nagoonberry (Rubus arcticus), tall Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium acutiflorum), western columbine (Aquilegia formosa), Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), fiveleaf bramble (Rubus pedatus), starflower (Trientalis europaea), and liverleaf wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia). It is about 6 miles to the very end so total we biked about 12 miles. Along the way are views of Byron, Middle, and Explorer glaciers. When travelling in bear country we recommend that you make a lot of noise to make your presence known, travel in groups, and carry bear spray. The enchanting Trail of the Blue Ice is a beautiful trail in Alaska. 1400 Independence Ave., SW Experience the wonders traveling across beautiful bridges and decidous forests, with beautiful vistas. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map. I had the 500 mounted and ready to go most of the time but just had to stop and slap a landscape lens on when I saw this scene. Wildflower Viewing Areas in Alaska feature glimpses of … Blue Ice’s most recent example of trail evolution is the 2014 upgrade at Five Fingers trailhead, a popular ice-climbing destination. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. October.17.2014 - Check out Tripadvisor members' 20,598 candid photos and videos. The Details Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. We hiked about 4 miles or… THE TRAIL OF BLUE ICE. Washington DC 20250-1103, Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices, Native Plant Material Accomplishment Reports, Fading Gold: The Decline of Aspen in the West, Wildflowers, Part of the Pagentry of Fall Colors, Tall Forb Community of the Intermountain West, Strategic Planning, Budget And Accountability, Recreation, Heritage And Volunteer Resources, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air And Rare Plants. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Less than 5 miles up the valley, the trail crosses Portage Glacier Road again and climbs a very short and steep rise before descending rapidly to the southeast corner of the Begich, Boggs Visitors Center parking area on Portage Lake, where it ends. Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Willawaw Nature Trail: Trail of Blue Ice - See 25 traveller reviews, 39 candid photos, and great deals for Anchorage, AK, at Tripadvisor. It is an exceptionally scenic area and can be walked, or more popularly, biked. Because this is a glacially influenced valley, early successional shrub habitat types are common, as well as pockets of spruce and cottonwood habitats on side slopes and glacial moraines. The Trail of Blue Ice is a segment of the longer Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT). The trails run along the glacial lake, thick spruce forests, glaciers and waterfalls. Along the way it serves up stunning views of mountains, as well as the glaciers that hang from the gullies and ravines between those mountains. Which one is right for you? You can also see the scattered remnants of the glacier dropping down various valleys and ravines. Find the perfect trail of blue ice stock photo. Willawaw Nature Trail, Anchorage Picture: Trail of Blue Ice. Experience the magnitude of the forces that shaped many of our mountains and valleys. Beginner | 10 miles roundtrip | Hybrid Bike, (For more, see Walk-About Guide to Alaska, Volume One by Shawn R. Lyons). Description: Travelling the length of Portage Valley, the Trail of Blue Ice offers many spectacular views of glaciers, wildlife, salmon, scenery, and of course wildflowers! Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. There was a problem with your submission. The relatively rare pale poppy (Papaver alboroseum) grows abundantly in Portage Valley and is commonly seen along the Trail of Blue Ice. This was taken along the Trail of Blue Ice which was an amazing trail. It was supposed to be rainy and gross. As you continue upstream to Portage Lake, you follow the retreat of the glacier that once filled this valley. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Looking up the Portage Valley from west to east, Portage Lake is in the background. Wetland areas are dominated by grasses and sedges and also include buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and marsh fivefinger (Potentilla palustris). Traverses multiple trail materials ranging from asphalt, gravel, natural forest terrain, and cedar board walk. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. It then crosses Portage Glacier Road and, for the next 4 miles, continues through woods, past ponds, and over small streams on the east side of the valley. Planned and constructed over several years beginning in 2002 by Chugach National Forest, the Trail of Blue Ice is one of the most attractive aspects of the Portage Valley due to its flat terrain and ample opportunities for scenery and wildlife spotting. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Please try again. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. Safety First: Although the Trail of Blue Ice is extremely popular and receives high use, there have been several encounters with black bears. Summer, 5-8 hours. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. This trail begins by following a mix of smooth gravel and boardwalks around some ponds. Blue ice can be obtained using any tool enchanted with Silk Touch, though a pickaxe is the fastest. This 5-mile trail begins in Moose Flats Recreation Area on Portage Lake Road, 80 miles south of Anchorage. Portage poppy (Papaver alboroseum) growing along the trailside. Look carefully and you should see evidence of the retreat—in the rocks, streams, plants, and even just the lay of the land. US Forest Service, FM-RM-VE Trail of Blue Ice This is part of the NFS Trail of Blue Ice, an easy series of trails along a river with great views of glaciers with blue ice. Take a left, and about one mile in, you’ll turn left into the Moose Flats Recreation Area. The trail is primarily used for hiking and road biking and is best used from May until September. October.17.2014 - Check out Tripadvisor members' 20,506 candid photos and videos. Distance: 9.7 miles RT; Rating/difficulty: ****/2 (Trail description coming soon.) Such a beautiful place. Portage Creek: Trail of Blue Ice is a 7.1 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Whittier, Alaska that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. The Trail of Blue Ice also connects to the Williwaw Nature Trail, which is actually more of a web of trails circulating through wetlands on the far side of the road. May 31, 2016 - The Alaska Region occupies the rugged, mountainous coast of the northeast Pacific Ocean. Along the way it serves up stunning views of mountains, as well as the glaciers that hang from the gullies and ravines between those mountains. Directions: From Anchorage travel southeast on the Seward Highway for approximately 50 miles and turn left onto the Portage Highway. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). This trail is ideal for hiking or biking and links all of the developed recreation sites in Portage Valley. Western columbine (Aquiliga formosa) along the Trail of Blue Ice. It was an easy hike with views of 3 glaciers in the area, Explorer Glacier being one of them (pictured below). Trail of Blue Ice & Byron Glacier Trail. The five-mile long trail (one way) is an easily accessible, flat and wide gravel path with boardwalks and bridges. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. https://www.mapquest.com/us/alaska/trail-of-blue-ice-378551892 I think this is Middle glacier. For an added bonus, visit the native plant garden at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center. The Williwaw Creek hosts all of … Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Bike Friendly Trail; 10 Miles Round Trip add another 4 miles if going to Bryon Glacier. You will experience very little elevation gain with the exception of a 700' section at the lake end, where it climbs about 30 feet via a … We are definitely planning to go back a few times over the summer to see this place at it’s full potential! Self-drive vacations. Website. You could also start at the other end of the trail, in the Moose Flats parking lot. To access the trail from the Moose Flats Day Use area, turn left onto the Portage Highway and park at the Moose Flats Day Use Area and follow the sign to the Trail of Blue Ice trailhead. This is part of the NFS Trail of Blue Ice, an easy series of trails along a river with great views of glaciers with blue ice. If you have kids, make sure you check out the fish viewing platform. This lightly trafficked out and back trail is 7.1 miles one way, strolling past glaciers, waterfalls and gorgeous Alaskan vistas. Ownership and management: USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Glacier Ranger District (907) 783-3242. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. This was calm and protective from the wind howling along the lake. Look across to Maynard Mountain and Shakespeare Shoulder, with Portage Pass in between the two. The photos on this page are all ones I took this evening. The Trail of Blue Ice is what it’s called, and although there was no ice, it was one of the most beautiful trails even without everything being lush and green. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. The only glacier I saw from this section of trail tonight was Middle Glacier: Trail of Blue Ice Vital Information. It was such a beautiful day! Multiple trails varying in length and degrees of difficulty. Mailstop Code: 1103 We hiked along the lake and along the Trail of Blue Ice. If you have the ability to transport bicycles, this trail makes for a great afternoon trip. Most of the 4.5 mile (one way) trail is a wide gravel path with boardwalks and bridges. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/alaska/TrailOfBlueIce/index.shtml Today, it has shrunk back around the corner of the lake, over a quarter mile to your left, and seeing it requires taking a ferry. There, the trail was rerouted to also gain elevation, in response to commonly occurring high water. First, head south from Girdwood to the Portage Valley, 10 miles away. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Date of experience: August 2012 Ask freedml about Willawaw Nature Trail Willawaw Nature Trail, Anchorage Picture: Trail of Blue Ice. Wildflower Viewing: Wildflowers are abundant in a myriad of habitats along the entire trail. It winds through woods, over streams, and by lakes and ponds. The trail also winds by the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, offering a chance to see spawning salmon. The highlight of the morning was finding the creek with spawning salmon that the Forest Ranger on the cruise ship had mentioned. Weather: 62 and cloudy-ish 7.16.19 There was the COOLEST trail that was connected to the back of our campsite at Williwaw Campground called the Trail of Blue Ice. Overwhelmed by choices? This trail is designed to showcase several glaciers --hence the name "blue ice." There you can explore the wide-open shores of Portage Lake just beyond the end of the trail. As you do, try to imagine the scene not many decades ago when Portage Glacier towered in the shallows just offshore—or the scene not many centuries ago when it filled the entire valley. In addition, the valley contains many wetlands, riparian areas, natural and man-made ponds. Trail of Blue Ice is a 4.7 mile-long trail that spans from Portage Lake to Moose Flats near the Seward Highway. There is a trail called Trail of Blue Ice that is just right across the street from the center. Date of experience: August 2012 A small bear was found killed by a larger grizzly in the area 2 days before we were there, so it made for an "exciting" walk with my wife. This 5-mile trail begins in Moose Flats Recreation Area on Portage Lake Road, 80 miles south of Anchorage. In addition, there is potential to see moose or black bear on or near the trail. Picturesque blue ice & surrounding mountains. Duration: Winter, 3-4 hours. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. The five-mile-long (one way) Trail of Blue Ice is simply awesome! It winds through woods, over streams, and by lakes and ponds. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Make sure to bring your camera: you’ll see hanging glaciers and, very likely, some wildlife. Breaking the block without Silk Touchdrops nothing. The Blue Ice Trail starts in the parking lot for Portage Lake. We took advantage of sunny day. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Please check your email to verify your subscription. Riding my Rad Power Bikes RadMini Electric folding bicycle on the Portage Valley "Trail of Blue Ice." 10 miles total; about 1 hour 15 minutes hour one-way; or 2 to 3 hours max. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. This is trail 61 in Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska. Jan 12, 2017 - This is Alaska in all it's beauty. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? 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