About
One of Alaska's most visited landmarks is Portage Glacier. This iconic wonder is in the Chugach National Forest and can be seen on a hike or from a boat tour.
Glaciers form when more snow piles up each year than melts away. The weight compresses the flakes into dense ice, which then carves and molds the land beneath it. Portage Glacier did just that, shaping the valley you see today.
While it’s not a breathing organism, this sheet of ice is constantly moving. As recently as 1914, the glacier's terminus sat at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center. Since then, it has receded more than three miles and slipped out of view behind the mountains. The Center itself rests atop a terminal moraine, a ridge of rock and debris left behind at the glacier's edge.
While on the topic of the visitor center, it honors Congressmen Nick Begich of Alaska and Hale Boggs of Louisiana, who died in a 1972 plane crash between Anchorage and Juneau. The Center opened in 1986 and features exhibits, a theater, and educational displays about the region's ice and ecosystems.
While you no longer can see the glacier from the Center’s windows, it still deposits ice into Portage Lake. Those icebergs float toward the Center, making for a unique viewing opportunity.
Another natural phenomenon that shaped the area and Portage Glacier was the 1964 magnitude 9.2 Good Friday earthquake. It struck Southcentral Alaska and dropped the shoreline six to twelve feet near the small town of Portage. Today, you can see a few ruined structures along the Seward Highway when you explore the area around Turnagain Arm.
Join us in our next section as we discuss aspects of this landmark in more detail.
Portage Glacier: Fun Facts & Cool Features
If you enjoy statistics, then check these out! Portage Glacier is approximately 6 miles long, weighs billions of tons, is 600-800 feet thick, and covers 20 square miles. It appears blue in color because it absorbs red wavelengths while scattering blue light.
For a face-to-face encounter, book a cruise with Portage Glacier Cruises aboard the M/V Ptarmigan. This 80-foot vessel is the only boat operating on Portage Lake and was built on site to U.S. Coast Guard standards. The hour-long trip glides across iceberg-dotted water, passes cascading waterfalls, and brings you within 300 yards of the glacier's towering blue face. A heated cabin keeps things comfortable, while the open-air top deck offers a prime spot to watch for calving ice and snapping pictures.
The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center offers an immersive educational experience for all ages. Staff haul small chunks of calved ice out of the lake for you to touch. On certain days, a ranger leads walks to hunt for iceworms, and exhibits cover everything from the 1964 earthquake to the valley's wildlife. The theater film, "Retreat and Renewal," rounds out the story of the Chugach National Forest.
The surrounding trails let you step outside for more adventure. The 2.2-mile Byron Glacier Trail leads through a river valley to the base of an alpine glacier. A moderate hike is the Trail of Blue Ice, a 7.1-mile out-and-back. The surface ranges from paved to boardwalks to trails, making it popular for mountain biking. Both pathways offer spectacular views of the glaciers and surrounding mountains.
The Portage Pass Trail offers a moderately challenging out-and-back hike. You’ll walk 4.6 miles, climb 1,463 feet, and witness stunning glacier views, waterfalls, and beautiful lake scenery. Be sure to start early, stay hydrated, wear sturdy shoes, and dress in layers for the ever-changing weather.
For anyone staying near Girdwood, a single day at Portage Glacier promises to enhance any vacation.
Local Tips
- Arrive early to secure a spot in the parking lots.
- Book cruises ahead of time; seats fill fast.
- Pack layers because the weather near the ice shifts quickly.
- Visit during the cruise season of mid-May through mid-September.
