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Alaska Railroad Passenger Service Glacier Discovery Train Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, Whitter, Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and Grandview. Glacier Discovery Train is also the Anchorage - Whittier Cruise Ship connection.  The 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.
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  The 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  The 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.
MAPS
Alaska Railroad Route Map, Points Of Interest RELATED LINKS AND NATURAL HISTORY Rail Passenger Service Trains Denali Star -Anchorage to Denali & Fairbanks Costal Classic - Anchorage to Seward Hurricane Turn - Anchorage to Huricane Aurora Winter Train - Anchorage to Fairbanks Rail Day Tours Rail Vacations Alaska Railroad History Alaska Railroad Wiki Alaska Central Railroad Tunnel No. 1 SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and Frank Norris Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords  by David MillerKenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map  Alaska: A Novel  by James A. MichenerAlaska: A History of the 49th State  by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. SlotnickGuide to the Birds of Alaska  by Robert H. ArmstrongWild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska  by John G. S. TrelawnyComing into the Country by John McPhee Travels in Alaska by John Muir  Did You Know? Did you know that Denali or Mt. McKinley, located within Denali National Park and Preserve, is the highest mountain on the North American continent? Measured from the 2,000 foot lowlands to its snowy summit at 20,237 feet, the mountain’s vertical relief of 18,000 feet is greater than that of Mount Everest.
Limitations of liability: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins. A copy of the text is available on request. |
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