Traverses multiple trail materials ranging from asphalt, gravel, natural forest terrain, and cedar board walk. This trail begins by following a mix of smooth gravel and boardwalks around some ponds. 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. https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/alaska/TrailOfBlueIce/index.shtml Jan 12, 2017 - This is Alaska in all it's beauty. October.17.2014 - Check out Tripadvisor members' 20,587 candid photos and videos. This is trail 61 in Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska. Find the perfect trail of blue ice stock photo. Look across to Maynard Mountain and Shakespeare Shoulder, with Portage Pass in between the two. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Make sure to bring your camera: you’ll see hanging glaciers and, very likely, some wildlife. Date of experience: August 2012 Ask freedml about Willawaw Nature Trail This trail is designed to showcase several glaciers --hence the name "blue ice." Beginner | 10 miles roundtrip | Hybrid Bike, (For more, see Walk-About Guide to Alaska, Volume One by Shawn R. Lyons). The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. THE TRAIL OF BLUE ICE. The relatively rare pale poppy (Papaver alboroseum) grows abundantly in Portage Valley and is commonly seen along the Trail of Blue Ice. It is about 6 miles to the very end so total we biked about 12 miles. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. 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). 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. It winds through woods, over streams, and by lakes and ponds. May 31, 2016 - The Alaska Region occupies the rugged, mountainous coast of the northeast Pacific Ocean. In addition, there is potential to see moose or black bear on or near the trail. 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. I will warn you….picture overload is … We hiked about 4 miles or… It is an exceptionally scenic area and can be walked, or more popularly, biked. For an added bonus, visit the native plant garden at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center. 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). This trail is ideal for hiking or biking and links all of the developed recreation sites in Portage Valley. As you continue upstream to Portage Lake, you follow the retreat of the glacier that once filled this valley. Portage poppy (Papaver alboroseum) growing along the trailside. 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. Willawaw Nature Trail, Anchorage Picture: Trail of Blue Ice. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. The highlight of the morning was finding the creek with spawning salmon that the Forest Ranger on the cruise ship had mentioned. This 5-mile trail begins in Moose Flats Recreation Area on Portage Lake Road, 80 miles south of Anchorage. 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! First, head south from Girdwood to the Portage Valley, 10 miles away. 7-10 days is the most common. Wetland areas are dominated by grasses and sedges and also include buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and marsh fivefinger (Potentilla palustris). Trail of Blue Ice & Byron Glacier Trail. https://www.mapquest.com/us/alaska/trail-of-blue-ice-378551892 US Forest Service, FM-RM-VE 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. This 5-mile trail begins in Moose Flats Recreation Area on Portage Lake Road, 80 miles south of Anchorage. In the non-snow months, the trail tread is a … Ownership and management: USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Glacier Ranger District (907) 783-3242. Blue ice can be obtained using any tool enchanted with Silk Touch, though a pickaxe is the fastest. Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map. Website. Experience the magnitude of the forces that shaped many of our mountains and valleys. Looking up the Portage Valley from west to east, Portage Lake is in the background. We hiked along the lake and along the Trail of Blue Ice. 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. Trail of Blue Ice Vital Information. Summer, 5-8 hours. Wildflower Viewing Areas in Alaska feature glimpses of … The Trail of Blue Ice stays on the valley floor and links all the developed recreation sites in Portage Valley. 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. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Trail of Blue Ice, Chugach National Forest, Alaska. In addition, the valley contains many wetlands, riparian areas, natural and man-made ponds. October.17.2014 - Check out Tripadvisor members' 20,598 candid photos and videos. Moose Flats located on the west end of the Trail of Blue Ice. 1400 Independence Ave., SW Wildflower Viewing: Wildflowers are abundant in a myriad of habitats along the entire trail. 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. To access the trail from the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, travel approximately 5 miles on the Portage Highway, take the right-hand fork and follow signs to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. The only glacier I saw from this section of trail tonight was Middle Glacier: Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. You can also see the scattered remnants of the glacier dropping down various valleys and ravines. It was an easy hike with views of 3 glaciers in the area, Explorer Glacier being one of them (pictured below). Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. We are definitely planning to go back a few times over the summer to see this place at it’s full potential! Trail of Blue Ice is a 4.7 mile-long trail that spans from Portage Lake to Moose Flats near the Seward Highway. Take a left, and about one mile in, you’ll turn left into the Moose Flats Recreation Area. This lightly trafficked out and back trail is 7.1 miles one way, strolling past glaciers, waterfalls and gorgeous Alaskan vistas. Blue Ice’s most recent example of trail evolution is the 2014 upgrade at Five Fingers trailhead, a popular ice-climbing destination. It was such a beautiful day! Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. Distance: 9.7 miles RT; Rating/difficulty: ****/2 Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. 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 … Which one is right for you? This was calm and protective from the wind howling along the lake. 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. There, the trail was rerouted to also gain elevation, in response to commonly occurring high water. 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. Picturesque blue ice & surrounding mountains. It winds through woods, over streams, and by lakes and ponds. The Trail of Blue Ice is a segment of the longer Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT). 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. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. The trails run along the glacial lake, thick spruce forests, glaciers and waterfalls. The Details Experience the wonders traveling across beautiful bridges and decidous forests, with beautiful vistas. Directions: From Anchorage travel southeast on the Seward Highway for approximately 50 miles and turn left onto the Portage Highway. Such a beautiful place. 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. You could also start at the other end of the trail, in the Moose Flats parking lot. There you can explore the wide-open shores of Portage Lake just beyond the end of the trail. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? The five-mile-long (one way) Trail of Blue Ice is simply awesome! Beginner bike trail in the Moose Flats Recreation Area in the Portage Valley. Along the way are views of Byron, Middle, and Explorer glaciers. This was taken along the Trail of Blue Ice which was an amazing trail. Willawaw Nature Trail, Anchorage Picture: Trail of Blue Ice. Multiple trails varying in length and degrees of difficulty. (Trail description coming soon.) Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. The five-mile long trail (one way) is an easily accessible, flat and wide gravel path with boardwalks and bridges. Car, train, or group tour. Duration: Winter, 3-4 hours. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. 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. 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. The trail also winds by the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, offering a chance to see spawning salmon. On the south side of the trail, you can see three hanging glaciers: Byron, Middle, and Explorer which make for … The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Also be prepared for inclement weather. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? The photos on this page are all ones I took this evening. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. 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. October.17.2014 - Check out Tripadvisor members' 20,506 candid photos and videos. Please check your email to verify your subscription. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. If you have the ability to transport bicycles, this trail makes for a great afternoon trip. 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. Breaking the block without Silk Touchdrops nothing. Willawaw Nature Trail: Trail of Blue Ice - See 25 traveller reviews, 39 candid photos, and great deals for Anchorage, AK, at Tripadvisor. No need to register, buy now! Look carefully and you should see evidence of the retreat—in the rocks, streams, plants, and even just the lay of the land. There was a problem with your submission. Highlights plus less visited destinations. The Williwaw Creek hosts all of … Most of the 4.5 mile (one way) trail is a wide gravel path with boardwalks and bridges. 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. 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. The enchanting Trail of the Blue Ice is a beautiful trail in Alaska. Safety First: Although the Trail of Blue Ice is extremely popular and receives high use, there have been several encounters with black bears. 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). We took advantage of sunny day. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. I think this is Middle glacier. Riding my Rad Power Bikes RadMini Electric folding bicycle on the Portage Valley "Trail of Blue Ice." 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. 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. It was supposed to be rainy and gross. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. Mailstop Code: 1103 The Blue Ice Trail starts in the parking lot for Portage Lake. Date of experience: August 2012 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. 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!). Overwhelmed by choices? The trail is primarily used for hiking and road biking and is best used from May until September. 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. There is a trail called Trail of Blue Ice that is just right across the street from the center. Western columbine (Aquiliga formosa) along the Trail of Blue Ice. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Includes time for exploring. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. 10 miles total; about 1 hour 15 minutes hour one-way; or 2 to 3 hours max. Please try again. Bike Friendly Trail; 10 Miles Round Trip add another 4 miles if going to Bryon Glacier. round-trip. If you have kids, make sure you check out the fish viewing platform. 2-5 day small ship explorations. 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. Willawaw Nature Trail, Anchorage Picture: Trail of Blue Ice. Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. Self-drive vacations. Occupies the rugged, mountainous coast of the trail of Blue Ice. we biked about 12.... 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