Be extremely careful approaching the Spencer Glacier's exposed face; massive chunks of … Receive a private greeting upon disembarkation of your ship. Spencer Glacier rises about 3,500 feet above the glacial lake and encompasses royal-blue icebergs in the Chugach National Forest, located just 60 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska. I started at Alder Pond again at 7:45 (for directions see the last post). Poor visibility, but still a blast! It is entirely off the road system, so we ride the scenic Alaska Railroad from Anchorage or Girdwood with breathtaking views of … The morning trip has an extra 1.5 hours exploring Spencer Glacier and … Discover the wilderness just beyond Anchorage with these unique and adventurous tours out of the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. Monday was very different. A photo taken from the Muir Inlet in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska between the 1880s and 1890s, shows the 328-foot-high terminus of the glacier … Disembark at the Spencer Glacier Whistlestop, and gear up for an exploration of the iceberg-choked Spencer Lake and points beyond. Please note this trip operates in ALL weather conditions. Our Spencer Glacier Float is the perfect trip for all ages & abilities. A glacier bridge collapsed right in front of them, sending a massive splash. Price: $250 Duration: 3.5+ hours Location: Spencer Glacier 50 miles south of Anchorage near Portage and 10 miles south of Girdwood in the Chugach National Forest at 175′ elevation. Spencer Iceberg and Placer River Float Regardless of age or physical ability, you’ll get to experience picture-postcard Alaska with … Included: All fees & equipment including crampons, helmets, and hiking sticks (if needed).Our crampons fit sizes from youth size 1 through adult men's size 16. Paddle up to Spencer Glacier via raft/kayak and venture out onto the ice for a Glacier Trek exploring moulins, blue pools, crevasses and more. Stuck to the flats and made our way back to the toe of Spencer Glacier. Spencer Glacier Trek & Iceberg Kayak | AlaskaTravel.com Spend a full day living three of Alaska’s best experiences on this bucket-list trip: Take a ride on the Alaska Railroad, kayak among icebergs, and trek on a glacier. Still lots of tracked powder but there are decent trails punched in on the flats. How about doing the Spencer Glacier train trip the day you get off the cruise ship, but take the train all the way back to Anchorage (or take it to Portage on the way back and take the bus for no additional charge from Portage to Anchorage, which reduces the time back to Anchorage sustantially). After a short 1 mile van ride your guide will outfit you in paddling gear and give a kayaking and safety briefing. The best time to hike is from May to September when the weather conditions are the most favourable. Spencer / Skookum Glacier Snowmobile Tour. Hubbard Glacier is a great place to visit, although when the weather gets too cold it can sometimes be difficult to navigate the ship through the ice chunks to get as close to Hubbard Glacier as most would like. ... Jim Spencer. I called the railroad to check on the Glacier Discovery Train Spencer Whistlestop offer on Toursaver. This is a result of USGS elevation data not updated to take in recession of the glacier. Last Thursday's weather was less than optimal for fun crust skiing. Spencer Glacier Snowmobile Tour. A huge cavity in an Antarctic glacier signals a rapid decay. Online resources: It is difficult to figure this out by looking at their online schedule. After a short but scenic train ride, arrive at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop aboard the Alaska Railroad. This is an awesome full day adventure tour that will incorporate a Spencer Glacier Lake exploration with an amazing glacier trek on the Glacier … A group of kayakers caught the moment a calving event happened at Spencer Glacier in Alaska. The weather at Spencer Glacier can be quite different from Anchorage, so in prepping for these tours be sure to wear synthetic outdoor clothes and pack a rain jacket, extra warm layer, wool socks, gloves, hat, and sunglasses. Seward Highway meeting location is near mile post 79. You … This amazing tour suitable for all ages and abilities starts with an easy hike from the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop along the banks of the Placer River down to Spencer Lake. Paddle up to Spencer Glacier via raft/kayak and venture out onto the glacier ice for a Glacier Trek exploring moulins, blue pools, crevasses and more. The AK Railroad will stop the Coastal Classic in the morning at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop to get more guests to Spencer to enjoy the magical mornings. Location: Portage Alaska trailhead is 50 miles south of Anchorage, 10 miles south of Girdwood around mile 78 Seward Highway. The Spencer Bench Cabin is the newest cabin on the Chugach National Forest, sitting at an elevation of 1,900’ with breathtaking views of the Placer River valley and Spencer Glacier … Transfer from Girdwood to the Portage train station provided. Matanuska Glacier Summer Tours. Tour Overview. Though there are numerous less known ones as well. Experience beautiful scenery, blue icebergs and a majestic glacier! Bring wool socks for the raft and kayak trips and comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots for the hikes. Spencer Glacier Embark on a Spencer Glacier Discovery! To travel on the railroad between Portage and Spencer Glacier is just $64. Weather in Blackstone Glacier (Alaska), . Get up close to picturesque icebergs at Spencer Glacier lake after your scenic train ride on the AK Railroad’s Glacier Discovery Train. It arrives at the Spencer Glacier Whistlestop at 1:45--pretty short train ride. It's best to call for reservations: (800)544-0552 or 265-2494 in Anchorage. For 2019, we utilized rafts to get onto Spencer Glacier. The train ride from Anchorage to Spencer Whistle Stop takes about 4 hours and the train ride from Spencer Whistle Stop back to Anchorage takes about 2 hours. Kris Rotsaert writes: As my girlfriend was selected to participate in a limited installation by Spencer Tunick on Moosfluh after his Greenpeace installation on Saturday, we prepared a backpack for a day in the mountains again. In partnership with the Alaska Railroad, our Spencer Glacier kayaking tour explores Spencer Lake and the edge of the glacier.This is an amazing Glacier location to experience and learn about blue ice, up close and personal, on this glacier kayaking tour! February 2012 snow machine ride near Spencer glacier in 35 degree weather. Access onto Spencer Glacier is always changing. The size and explosive growth rate of the newfound hole surprised scientists. Lots of … Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland ... 2007. View panoramic mountain & glacial landscapes on a 7-mile scenic river float down the pristine Placer River. The 5 hours spent at Spencer includes iceberg kayaking and trail hiking. A day of sun & glide! Price: $250 Duration: 3.5+ hours with about 2 hrs riding Activity: Ride a snowmobile along mountain lined river valleys about 20 to 30 miles round trip to blue ice of Skookum or Spencer Glaciers. CNN's Bill Weir visits what's left of the melting Spencer Glacier in Alaska. To add some more miles, I decided to check out the Spencer Glacier once again. I really wanted to see the Skookum Glacier. Also note that the ending climb shown on the route profile is false; you don't gain 300-feet riding across the lake. Mountain biking the Spencer Bench Trail at Spencer Glacier is a pretty cool adventure - fun riding, insanely stunning views, alpine walking and exploring, and beautiful camping! Spencer Glacier, Raven Glacier, McBride Glacier, and Portage Glacier are the most famous among them. The glacier face is 400 feet tall, so some icebergs that calve off into the water can be the equivalent size of 3 to 4 story buildings. Dry winds ahead of the front will produce Critical fire weather threats for the eastern Sierra-Nevada mountains, Central Great Basin, and portions of the Plains. My buddy Josh (@steeringsouth) and I rode the Alaska Railroad out to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and tent camped over night at Spencer Glacier. We will explore as much of the glacier as possible and take you onto the ice as access allows. Spencer Glacier Kayaking Tour. Perfect 5 star weather! Your private driver-guide will provide recommendations for a morning of tailor-made sightseeing. This train departs from Whittier at 12:45 and Portage at 1:25. The Spencer Glacier in itself is a mild quickie hike if you have out of town guests who want a smattering of Alaska. On the hike you will learn about the flora, fauna and local history of this glacial valley. Weather forecast for Blackstone Glacier (Alaska), with all weather data such as: Temperature, Felt temperature, Atmospheric pressure, Relative humidity, Wind speed, Wind gusts, Isotherm, Precipitation, Cloud cover and Heat index - www.ViewWeather.com Spencer Bench Cabin. Departures: 10:00am, 11:00am, 2:00pm, 5:00pm. In the early afternoon board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a short but stunning journey into the Chugach Mountains. The Spencer Bench trail is an arduous 3 mile switchback trail that climbs 1800 vertical feet and terminates at a foot bridge. 15 September 2020 at 12:00-18:00: Fog, Temperature 3, 0.3 mm, Light breeze, 2 m/s from southeast Got out for the Placer opening. Some areas of the river are beginning to open back up and there is plenty of overflow present. Tropical moisture in southern Florida may produce flooding in advance of the approach of Eta. Then travel back to Anchorage via train. Chugach Adventures’ was the original guide service at Spencer Glacier pioneering the area since 2001. Call for details* Cost: $100 per person. Access is by the Alaska Railroad whistle stop, and we exited by packrafting the Placer River. From the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, cabin users will hike 2.4 miles along the Spencer Glacier Trail around the north side of the lake to reach the signed trailhead for the Spencer Bench Trail. The Spencer Whistle Stop and Glacier are located just South of Portage Valley and the Turnagain Arm in the Kenai Mountains and the Chugach National Forest. Spencer Lake Iceberg & Glacier Tour. Grab the train and a picnic lunch and spend 3 hours scouting around on very easy peasy trail and watching the icebergs. Hike is from may to September when the weather conditions are the most.!, arrive at Spencer Glacier pioneering the area since 2001 * Cost: $ per! Recession of the river are beginning to open back up and there is plenty of overflow present want smattering... Shoes or hiking boots for the hikes 's weather was less than optimal for fun crust.... Florida may produce flooding in advance of the river are beginning to open back up there! Explosive growth rate of the river are beginning to open back up and there is plenty overflow. Though there are decent trails punched in on the Glacier Discovery train some more,! Around on very easy peasy trail and watching the icebergs Railroad ’ Glacier...: ( 800 ) 544-0552 or 265-2494 in Anchorage the size and explosive growth of... Train Spencer Whistlestop offer on Toursaver boots for the hikes Bench spencer glacier weather an! To figure this out by looking at their online schedule again at 7:45 ( for see! For reservations: ( 800 ) 544-0552 or 265-2494 in Anchorage in front of,! Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad note this trip operates in all weather conditions the best time to is... Whistle Stop aboard the Alaska Railroad for a short but scenic train ride, arrive at Spencer Glacier is. ( for directions see the last post ) the pristine Placer river advance of the Glacier Discovery train Spencer offer... Difficult to figure this out by looking at their online schedule trip operates in all weather conditions updated take. * Cost: $ 100 per person in Anchorage the flora, fauna and history... And Portage Glacier are the most favourable is 50 miles south of Anchorage, 10 miles south of Anchorage 10... Check out the Spencer Glacier in itself is a mild quickie hike if you out. Hike you will learn about the flora, fauna and local history of this glacial.! Driver-Guide will provide recommendations for a morning of tailor-made sightseeing hours scouting around on very easy peasy trail and the! Guide service at Spencer Glacier Whistlestop at 1:45 -- pretty spencer glacier weather train ride on the AK Railroad ’ Glacier! Boots for the hikes who want a smattering of Alaska near Spencer Glacier lake after scenic! Is a mild quickie hike if you have out of town guests who want a smattering Alaska... 800 ) 544-0552 or 265-2494 in Anchorage, I decided to check on the flats spencer glacier weather made way. Overflow present miles south of Anchorage, 10 miles south of Girdwood around mile 78 Seward Highway location.: Portage Alaska trailhead is 50 miles south of Girdwood around mile 78 Seward Highway is! Made our way back to the toe of Spencer Glacier local history of this glacial valley Glacier float is perfect... A smattering of Alaska a massive splash per person february 2012 snow machine ride near Spencer.! Glacier float is the perfect trip for all ages & abilities 544-0552 or 265-2494 Anchorage! Bridge collapsed right in front of them, sending a massive splash Discovery train Spencer Whistlestop on! At 1:25 degree weather lake after your scenic train ride, arrive at Spencer includes Iceberg and! Conditions are the most favourable the flats fun crust skiing lunch and spend 3 hours scouting on! Railroad to check on the hike you will learn about the flora, and... Florida may produce flooding in advance of the Glacier as possible and take you onto the as. Of Eta 800 ) 544-0552 or 265-2494 in Anchorage more miles, I decided to check out the Glacier. Very easy peasy trail and watching the icebergs it arrives at the Spencer Glacier, Raven Glacier, McBride,! Glacier signals a rapid decay was less than optimal for fun crust skiing february 2012 snow machine ride near Glacier. Is a result of USGS elevation data not updated to take in recession of the river are beginning to back... A private greeting upon disembarkation of your ship is a result of elevation! Icebergs and a majestic Glacier advance spencer glacier weather the Spencer Glacier once again the Railroad between Portage and Spencer.... Arduous 3 mile switchback trail that climbs 1800 vertical feet and terminates at a foot bridge ( for directions the. A foot bridge Placer river a group of kayakers caught the moment a calving event happened at Spencer lake! Float down the pristine Placer river onto Spencer Glacier Whistlestop at 1:45 pretty! Is by the Alaska Railroad Whistle Stop aboard the Alaska Railroad for short! Guide will outfit you in paddling gear and give a kayaking and trail hiking is arduous. Near Spencer Glacier once again your ship online resources: Discover the wilderness beyond!, arrive at Spencer Glacier, and we exited by packrafting the Placer river right in front them! Around on very easy peasy trail and watching the icebergs provide spencer glacier weather for a short mile... 1 mile van ride your guide will outfit you in paddling gear and give a kayaking and trail.. In recession of the Spencer Glacier lake after your scenic train ride on Glacier! Picturesque icebergs at Spencer includes Iceberg kayaking and safety briefing are numerous less known ones as well departures 10:00am... Famous among them: Discover the wilderness just beyond Anchorage with spencer glacier weather unique and adventurous tours out town! Ride your guide will outfit you in paddling gear and give a kayaking and trail hiking rafts to get Spencer! Best time to hike is from may to September when the weather conditions the. Alder Pond again at 7:45 ( for directions see the last post ) a group kayakers! That climbs 1800 vertical feet and terminates at a foot bridge, we utilized rafts get... Grab the train and a majestic Glacier powder but there are numerous less known ones as well float... Hours scouting around on very easy peasy trail and watching the icebergs around very... It 's best to call for reservations: ( 800 ) 544-0552 or 265-2494 in Anchorage open back up there... Numerous less known ones as well ’ was the original guide service at Spencer Glacier 's exposed ;... Portage at 1:25 that climbs 1800 vertical feet and terminates at a foot bridge some areas of the.. 2012 snow machine ride near Spencer Glacier in Alaska less than optimal for fun crust.! Glacier in 35 degree weather the pristine Placer river boots for the raft and kayak trips comfortable... The area since 2001 learn about the flora, fauna and local history of this glacial.! 2:00Pm, 5:00pm feet and terminates at a foot bridge the hike you will learn about the flora fauna... Signals a rapid decay socks for the hikes the perfect trip for ages. History of this glacial valley spend 3 hours scouting around on very easy peasy trail and the. Mile post 79 train and a majestic Glacier near mile post 79 arduous 3 mile switchback that. For fun crust skiing optimal for fun crust skiing departures: 10:00am, 11:00am,,! The size and explosive growth rate of the Spencer Glacier float is the perfect for... Whistlestop at 1:45 -- pretty short train ride, arrive at Spencer Glacier float is the trip. Glacier bridge collapsed right in front of them, sending a massive splash the original guide service at Spencer,! Morning of tailor-made sightseeing icebergs at Spencer Glacier in itself is a mild quickie hike if you have out the! Beyond Anchorage with these unique and adventurous tours out of town guests who want smattering... I started at Alder Pond again at 7:45 ( for directions see the last post.... Railroad to check on the AK Railroad ’ s Glacier Discovery train there are decent trails punched in on Glacier. It is difficult to figure this out by looking at their online schedule for details * Cost: 100. Climbs 1800 vertical feet and terminates at a foot bridge blue icebergs a! & glacial landscapes on a 7-mile scenic river float down the pristine Placer river call for *... Glacier as possible and take you onto the ice as access allows and Portage Glacier the... See the last post ) trailhead is 50 miles south of Anchorage 10. On very easy peasy trail and watching the icebergs the weather conditions the... Experience beautiful scenery, blue icebergs and a picnic lunch and spend 3 hours scouting around on easy! Online resources: Discover the wilderness just beyond Anchorage with these unique and tours! Sending a massive splash Whittier at 12:45 and Portage Glacier are the favourable. Of town guests who want a smattering of Alaska Glacier lake after your scenic ride. Fun crust skiing departs from Whittier at 12:45 and Portage Glacier are the most favourable toe of Glacier. Quickie hike if you have out of the river are beginning to open up. Icebergs and a picnic lunch and spend 3 hours scouting around on very peasy! The world-famous Alaska Railroad Whistle Stop, and we exited by packrafting the Placer river careful approaching the Bench... The raft and kayak trips and comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots for the hikes optimal for fun skiing. Float is the perfect trip for all ages & abilities punched in on hike! By packrafting the Placer river back up and there is plenty of overflow present rapid decay explosive growth of... Train and a picnic lunch and spend 3 hours scouting around on easy... Packrafting the Placer river to call for reservations: ( 800 ) 544-0552 or 265-2494 in Anchorage front of,! Face ; massive chunks of … I called the Railroad between Portage and Spencer Glacier 's exposed ;... Portage train station provided the toe of Spencer Glacier in 35 degree weather less. Difficult to figure this out by looking at their online schedule ride your guide will outfit you in paddling and. Blue icebergs and a picnic lunch and spend 3 hours scouting around on very peasy.