Whittier Train, Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery Train Anchorage to Whittier with a stop in Girdwood. Portage, Spencer Glacier, and Grandview The Whittier Glacier Discovery Train is the Alaska train connection for Whittier cruise ship, whale watching and glacier day cruise to Prince William Sound PWS.

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Glacier Discovery Train
Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, Whitter, Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and Grandview.

Glacier Discovery Train is also the Anchorage - Whittier Cruise Ship connection.

Glacier Discovery TrainThe Glacier Discovery Train travels from Anchorage south along Turnagain Arm to Portage, Whittier, Spencer Glacier's Whistle Stop, and Grandview.

Passengers can visit Whittier for a cruise ship connection or take a scenic day glacier cruise into Prince William Sound. After stopping in Whittier the train heads back to Portage then turns going up into the Chugach Mountains to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop where you can disembark the train. At the Alaska Railroad's Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop you can a take canoe tour paddling in Spencer Lake that is full of icebergs, or take a scenic rafting trip. If you're adventurous you can even go hiking or backpacking on your own. As an option you can also choose to stay on the train and continue up into the alpine regions of the Chugach Mountains for a scenic rail tour of Grandview, the tunnel section, and the historic loop district where the train turns around.

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OVERVIEW
Tour Type: Scenic, Alaska Railroad Passenger Service, Whistle Stop, Guided Hike
Difficulty: Easy, Wheelchair Access
Comfort: Adventure Class Good
Prior Experience: None

Glacier Discovery Train Highlights

Glacier Discovery TrainThe Glacier Discovery Train is fast becoming a favorite with outdoor adventurers. The recently expanded Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop has open up a wilderness wonderland to hikers and backpackers that was at one time difficult to access. The Glacier Discovery Train to Grandview has always been a popular scenic rail tour for those visiting Alaska. Alaska wildlife is often seen along the track, including Dall sheep, moose, and bears. Most would have to agree that the scenery is absolutely spectacular along the the Glacier Discovery Train route.

Anchorage
The Glacier Discovery begins in Anchorage. The train soon picks up 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, and is, at six million acres, the second largest national forest in the U.S. Dall sheep come down from the peaks of the Chugach Mountains and eagles cruise the shoreline looking for an easy meal.

Whittier
After traveling past Girdwood, 40 miles from Anchorage, the train leaves the mainline 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, where some passengers board day cruisers or fishing charters.

Placer River Valley
Glacier Discovery TrainThe train returns to the mainline to continue the trip south down the Placer River Valley leaving the highway behind and into country only accessible by train. Several hanging glaciers appear before the stop at Spencer Glacier. This is another wildlife habitat populated with bear, moose, coyotes and wolves. Swans pause here on their migration, and yellowlegs and arctic terns also make their home here. Its hard to believe this is only a few hours out of Anchorage and completely off the road system.

Spencer Glacier
The Glacier Discovery Train is the ticket to the new Alaska Railroad Whistle Stop at Spencer Glacier in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. Passengers can hop off the train at the Spencer Whistle Stop for a narrated 1.5-mile hike with a U.S. Forest Service ranger. The trail leads to Spencer Lake for spectacular glacier viewing. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The U.S. Forest Service has plans to expand access and services to this backcountry playground.

Grandview
From Spencer, the train climbs toward Grandview through a series of short tunnels. At 1,063 feet comes Grandview with its grand beauty. Passengers marvel at the Kenai mountains and the lush green alpine meadows. Braided waterfalls choked with glacial runoff and snowmelt plummet from the cliffs. It's here that the next whistle stop will be developed in the future. From Grandview the train begins the return journey to Spencer, Portage, Whittier, Girdwood and Anchorage. Spencer and Grandview passengers may opt for a motorchoach transfer to Anchorage from the Portage stop.
ITINERARY **
Daily June 1 - September 14, 2014

Anchorage to Whittier Service Only (Cruise Ship Days)
May 17, 24, 28, 31

Northbound to Anchorage Option
Spencer and Grandview passengers have the option to disembark the train at Portage (2) and take the motorcoach (included in rail cost), for an earlier arrival back in Anchorage 6:45 PM or you can choose to stay on the train and go back to Whittier, then to Anchorage, arriving 9:15 PM. Motorcoach reservations are required.

Whistle Stop
Spencer WS refers to Whistle Stop service. Whistle Stop includes guided 1.5 hike with U.S. Forest Service ranger. The trail leads to Spencer Lake for spectacular glacier viewing.
Depart Arrive
Southbound, Anchorage to Grandview
Anchorage 9:45 AM Girdwood 10:55 AM
Girdwood 11:00 AM Portage 11:30 AM
Portage 11:35 AM Whittier 12:05 PM
Whittier 12:45 PM Portage (2) 1:15 PM
Portage (2) 1:25 PM Spencer WS 1:45 PM
Spencer WS 1:55 PM Grandview 3:20 PM
Northbound, Grandview to Anchorage
Grandview 3:30 PM Spencer WS 4:30 PM
Spencer WS 4:40 PM Portage 5:15 PM
Portage 5:30 PM Whittier 6:05 PM
Whittier 6:45 PM Portage (2) 7:05 PM
Portage (2) 7:20 PM Girdwood 7:35 PM
Girdwood 7:40 PM Anchorage 9:15 PM
2014 TOUR DATES
Daily June 1 - September 14, 2014

Anchorage to Whittier Service Only (Cruise Ship Days)
May 17, 24, 28, 31

Northbound to Anchorage Option
Spencer and Grandview passengers have the option to disembark the train at Portage (2) and take the motorcoach (included in rail cost), for an earlier arrival back in Anchorage 6:45 PM or you can choose to stay on the train and go back to Whittier, then to Anchorage, arriving 9:15 PM. Motorcoach reservations are required.

Whistle Stop
Spencer WS refers to Whistle Stop service. Whistle Stop includes guided 1.5 hike with U.S. Forest Service ranger. The trail leads to Spencer Lake for spectacular glacier viewing.
Depart Arrive
Southbound, Anchorage to Grandview
Anchorage 9:45 AM Girdwood 10:55 AM
Girdwood 11:00 AM Portage 11:30 AM
Portage 11:35 AM Whittier 12:05 PM
Whittier 12:45 PM Portage (2) 1:15 PM
Portage (2) 1:25 PM Spencer WS 1:45 PM
Spencer WS 1:55 PM Grandview 3:20 PM
Northbound, Grandview to Anchorage
Grandview 3:30 PM Spencer WS 4:30 PM
Spencer WS 4:40 PM Portage 5:15 PM
Portage 5:30 PM Whittier 6:05 PM
Whittier 6:45 PM Portage (2) 7:05 PM
Portage (2) 7:20 PM Girdwood 7:35 PM
Girdwood 7:40 PM Anchorage 9:15 PM
2014 RATES

Child Fares 50% off (under Age 12)

Travel Segments One-Way
 
Adventure
Anchorage to Girdwood
$59 each
Anchorage to Portage
$74 each
Anchorage to Whittier
$74 each
Portage to Whittier
$24 each
Whittier to Girdwood
$74 each
Whittier to Portage
$24 each


M signifies motorcoach transfer from Portage to either Anchorage or Girdwood is included.

Whistle Stop includes guided hike with U.S. Forest Service Ranger.

Roundtrip
 
Adventure
Anchorage to Girdwood
$93 each
Anchorage to
Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop
$109M each
Anchorage to Grandview
$116M each
Portage/Whittier to
Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop
$70 each
Portage/Whittier to Grandview
$90 each
Anchorage/Girdwood to Whittier
$89 each
Portage to Whittier
$39 each

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**Tour Itineraries: Backcountry Safaris and other tour operators that we work with strive to give you a high quality Alaska experience. The tour itinerary shown on our web page is an example tour itinerary. The actual tour itinerary may vary some due to weather, safety, guest abilities and other conditions. Backcountry Safaris and other independent tour contractors reserve the right to change the tour itinerary and/or make substitutions at any time and without prior notice or to cancel all or part of any tour in its reasonable discretion, for the safety of its participants or due to insufficient number of participants signing up for a tour, because of weather, for the comfort and well being of our guests, for any other conditions that might affect the quality of tour, or as deemed necessary by the tour operator or trip leader.

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