**~** Portage Glacier Important Info **~**

[DrVal]

Please HELP! I need some important info about PORTAGE GLACIER asap: Thanks in advance! ;)

 

A few questions:

 

1) What can we expect to see there?

 

2) How is it compared to Mendenhall Glacier?

 

3) How much time do you need to explore it fully?

 

4) Are there any hikes that get you closer?

 

finally,

 

5) If docked in Whittier is there a better way to spend your time?

[Kaylas Mom]

We enjoy Portage. The visitor center is nice and the boat trip is very pleasant. I think the whole thing takes about 90 minutes to two hours max. There are lots of hikes in the area. the boat takes you very close to the glacier and its very photogenic. Mendenhall is great, too -- they seems different to me, perhaps because we hiked Mendenhall and boated Portage. I'd do both if you can. PS. I think there are freebie coupons for Portage in the toursaver book.

[Yukon]

Portage Glacier is excellent if you take the boat tour ($14.50 - http://graylinealaska.com/webspecials.cfm/mode/detail/product_id/1361 ), but not if you don't because you can no longer see the glacier except by boat (it has receded into a side valley). You can hike to the glacier from Whittier ( http://www.alaskaguidebook.com/DGB/SearchFrame.asp?ParentID=5000406&Page=DetailActivity ), but not from Portage. From Portage, the Byron Glacier trail is excellent (an hour and a half return).

 

Murray

[Landlubber54]

The boat tour is included as part of our cruise tour package (HAL #20). Does anyone know if there will be time for independent hiking? Or will we be "efficiently" shuttled from point-to-point?:confused:

[Yukon]

None of the organized tours allow for more than fairly brief walks.

 

Murray

[Landlubber54]

That's what I was expecting. Since we have never been, I expect that we will find a way to enjoy ourselves anyway.:)