hals amsterdam anchorage train tours

[kjoeb]

there appears to be 3 options to travel by train down the kenai pennisula to whittier and beyond. (ten hour trips). anyone tried any of these excursions? any recommendations or suggestions? ty, kb

[Budget Queen]

What "tours" are they listing??? The Whittier/Prince William Sound run is very doable. BUT, is superior on this long port day with a rental car, as you would have the freedom to stop when and where you want, have many more touring additions.

 

I doubt they have a Seward train option, but is there a Talkeetna run? Depending on what you wish to occupy your day with, this could be an option for flight seeing and scenic travel.

 

Otherwise, by far, a car rental offers the most. Plenty to see and do that are easy drive tos.

[NancyIL]

What "tours" are they listing??? The Whittier/Prince William Sound run is very doable. BUT, is superior on this long port day with a rental car, as you would have the freedom to stop when and where you want, have many more touring additions.

 

I doubt they have a Seward train option, but is there a Talkeetna run? Depending on what you wish to occupy your day with, this could be an option for flight seeing and scenic travel.

 

Otherwise, by far, a car rental offers the most. Plenty to see and do that are easy drive tos.

 

Here are the 3 train excursions offered from Anchorage:

 

Glacier Discovery Grandview Train

 

Leave Anchorage by train following the shoreline of Turnagain Arm, where beluga whales feed on small fish and salmon heading to spawning grounds. This area is part of the Chugach National Forest the second largest national forest in the U.S. Eagles cruise the shoreline looking for an easy meal and Dall sheep come down from the peaks of the Chugach Mountains. You'll pass Girdwood, 40 miles from Anchorage; then the train leaves the main line for the 12-mile trip into the port of Whittier, passing through two tunnels. Whittier is the gateway to Prince William Sound and its magnificent glaciers. The train returns to the main line to continue the trip south down the Placer Valley leaving the highway behind and heading into an area only accessible by train. You'll stop at Spencer Glacier, among habitat populated by bear, moose, coyotes and wolves. Swans pause here on their migration and yellowlegs and arctic terns also make their home here, just a few hours out of Anchorage and completely off the road system. From Spencer, the train climbs toward Grandview through a series of short tunnels. At 1,063 feet elevation, among the Kenai Mountains and lush green alpine meadows, you will find Grandview in all its scenic beauty. Braided waterfalls choked with glacial runoff and snowmelt plummet from the clifftops. From Grandview the train returns to Spencer, Portage, Whittier, Girdwood and Anchorage, although Spencer and Grandview passengers may opt for a motor coach transfer from Portage to Anchorage.

 

Spencer Glacier Rail & Trail

 

Leave Anchorage by train and head down along the shore of Turnagain Arm, where beluga whales feed on small fish and salmon heading to spawning grounds. This area is part of the Chugach National Forest—at six million acres it is the second-largest National Forest in the United States. Dall sheep come down from the peaks of the Chugach Mountains and eagles cruise the shoreline looking for an easy meal. After traveling past Girdwood, 40 miles from Anchorage, the train leaves the main line for the 12-mile trip into the port of Whittier. Watch for salmon in the streams along the way before you enter the first of two tunnels. Whittier is the gateway to Prince William Sound. The train returns to the main line to continue the trip south down the Placer Valley leaving the highway behind and into countryside only accessible by train. You’ll stop at Spencer Glacier among wildlife habitat populated by bear, moose, coyotes and wolves. Swans pause here on their migration; yellowlegs and arctic terns also make their home here. It's hard to believe this is only a few hours out of Anchorage and completely off the road system. If you like you can leave the train at the Spencer whistle stop for a narrated 2-mile hike, round trip, with a U.S. Forest Service ranger. The trail leads to Spencer Lake for spectacular glacier viewing. Upon completion of the hike the Alaska Railroad will pickyou up for the short trip back to Portage. You will then board a deluxe motor coach for the transfer back to Anchorage.

 

Spencer Glacier Scenic Float

 

Leave Anchorage by train following the shoreline of Turnagain Arm, where beluga whales feed on small fish and salmon heading to spawning grounds. This area is part of the Chugach National Forest the second-largest National Forest in the U.S. Eagles cruise the shoreline looking for an easy meal and Dall sheep come down from the peaks of the Chugach Mountains. You'll pass Girdwood, 40 miles from Anchorage; then the train leaves the main line for the 12-mile trip into the port of Whittier, passing through two tunnels. Whittier is the gateway to Prince William Sound and its magnificent glaciers. The train returns to the main line to continue the trip south down the Placer Valley leaving the highway behind and heading into an area only accessible by train. You'll stop at Spencer Glacier, among habitat populated by bear, moose, coyotes and wolves. Swans pause here on their migration and yellowlegs and arctic terns also make their home here, just a few hours out of Anchorage and completely off the road system. Your adventure operates under permit from the Chugach National Forest and your professional guide will meet you as you disembark from the train at Spencer. He or she will host a deli-style picnic lunch along the lakeshore with spectacular views of the glacial valley. Then you will begin your raft trip on Spencer Lake, formed by Spencer Glacier, floating among the icebergs as the guide explains the natural history of the area. The trip ends with a gentle raft trip down the Placer River. Upon completion of the float trip the Alaska Railroad will you pick up for the trip back to Portage. You will then board a deluxe motor coach for the transfer back to Anchorage.

[PennyAgain]

If you can I would do the one with the 2 mile hike as that will get you out into the country for some of the real Alaska. If you don't want to do the hike or the float, I would do trip #1.

 

I know this area of Alaska very, very well and treasure every minute I can spend there.

[kjoeb]

thank you . kb

[Gawker]

I notice that all these trips offer an option to return by motor coach. Is there a reason we would want to do this? We are booked for the 1st option, the Glacier Discovery Grandview train, but am considering switching to the Spencer float one instead. What would we miss between Spencer & Grandview on the train? Thanks for all this great information.

[Budget Queen]

I notice that all these trips offer an option to return by motor coach. Is there a reason we would want to do this? We are booked for the 1st option, the Glacier Discovery Grandview train, but am considering switching to the Spencer float one instead. What would we miss between Spencer & Grandview on the train? Thanks for all this great information.

 

It's all about time. Certainly the train has more space and the ability to move all about the train, including the vestibules. It is the SAME route however, same scenery on the Arm. And similar in Anchorage.