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The Trip

Please note that the trip dates have changed from what was originally published. If you have questions, please contact us.

This is a great introduction to Alaska's varied topography and wildlife for travelers seeking a leisurely journey. Since we will be traveling slightly before the height of tourist season, we will experience some of Alaska's most intriguing environments without the crowds. The relaxed pace of our journey and the long summer days will allow us ample time to explore fjords, ice fields, and some of the highest mountains in North America. By van and ferry, we will travel from Anchorage to Cordova and Valdez, two charming communities in Prince William Sound, where we will see glaciers, rivers, historic sights, and Alaska's diverse marine treasures. We will then travel by van to a base camp in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, visiting McCarthy and the ghost town of Kennicott. Finally, we will proceed by van back to Anchorage.

Itinerary

Day 1: We will leave Anchorage early in the morning, taking the Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm. If we're lucky, we'll catch a view of whales at Beluga Point. We will stop at the visitor center at Portage Glacier and enjoy an hour-long cruise across Portage Lake, which is typically studded with huge ice chunks that have calved off the glacier. In the afternoon we will stop at a wildlife reserve for a picnic lunch. We’ll camp one night near Portage Glacier.

Days 2-4: After breakfast we’ll drive to Whittier and catch the ferry across Prince William Sound to Cordova. Much of Cordova's charm comes from its isolation; it is not on the road system and is accessible only by water or plane. During these three days we will explore the immediate Cordova area, enjoying leisurely hikes, spectacular mountains, possible moose sightings, and other wildlife grazing in the valley. We may catch our first glimpse of bald eagles or grizzlies fishing for salmon in the distance. We'll camp for three nights near Cordova. (Unfortunately, the road to Childs Glacier and the Million Dollar Bridge is temporarily closed.)

Day 5: Today we'll break camp and head back to Cordova, stopping to view wildlife and to explore the downtown area. In the afternoon we will enjoy sea kayaking in Prince William Sound, a natural aquarium that is home to sea otters, seals, eagles, salmon, and orcas. Both brown and black bears are often visible on shore against an incredible backdrop of snowcapped peaks. We'll overnight at a lodge after enjoying a hot shower and a meal at a local restaurant.

Days 6-9: Rising early, we'll proceed by ferry to Valdez. After exploring Valdez, we'll drive by van to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which is six times the size of Yellowstone National Park. The wildlife here is exceptional, with frequent sightings of black and brown bears, moose, mountain goats, beaver, and many species of birds. We’ll hike from the lodge up the nearby valleys, and be rewarded with views of local glaciers and ice fields. We will also cross a foot bridge for a guided half-day tour of Root Glacier in Kennicott. We will also have the opportunity to tour the copper mill. Our last day in Kennicott will be designated as a free day for additional hiking, exploring, or just relaxing. (Optional activities are not included in the trip price.) We'll stay the next four nights at a rustic lodge.

Day 10: We will leave the park, driving the first leg of the 240-mile journey back to Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. Along the way we will stop at the visitor center in Chitina National Park and take a last look at the glaciers. Overnight at Tolsona Campground.

Day 11: On our last day, we'll leave Tolsona for a leisurely trip back to Anchorage, with a stop at Palmer en route. Trip members may plan to enjoy a final meal together. You may also want to stay on in Alaska to enjoy another part of this excellent state. June is a wonderful time of the year to visit Alaska.

Getting There

Trip members are advised to fly into Anchorage, our starting point, early enough to be ready for travel on the morning of day one. By planning to arrive early, trip members will have extra time to deal with (unlikely but possible) missed flight connections or lost baggage. The leader will provide trip members with the name of a reasonably priced, centrally located hotel to spend the night before the trip, which is not included in the trip price.

Accommodations and Food

We will camp the first night near Portage Glacier. While in Cordova we will camp with the exception of one night at Orca Lodge. In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park we will stay at the Kennicott River Lodge and Hostel. On our return trip to Anchorage, we will camp one last time at Tolsona Campground. All meals are included, from lunch on the first day through dinner on the last. All food is included in the trip fee, along with the use of cooking gear, stoves, and fuel. Trip members will be divided into cook crews so that everyone will be involved in meal preparation and clean up a few times during the trip. Vegetarian preferences can be accommodated. Let the leader know of any food allergies or limitations as far in advance as possible.

Trip Difficulty

The trip is designed as a gentle but authentic introduction to Alaska. The variety of optional activities should allow participants to choose appropriate activities for their ability levels. There are no overnight backpack trips, and you will only need to carry lunch and such items as rainwear and a sweater while hiking. The weather in early June is generally mild and many tourists have not arrived yet. Temperatures typically range from the 40s to the 70s. Assume that there will be rain during the trip, especially in Cordova. If you are prepared, and able to greet adverse weather as part of the adventure, you will enjoy this trip. Insects should not be a major problem in this area, but bring insect repellent and face netting just in case.

Equipment and Clothing

On Sierra Club outings, participants furnish their own personal equipment, including items such as tents, sleeping bags, daypacks, boots, a basic first-aid kit, toiletries, and eating utensils. Due to space constraints in the van, participants need to use duffle bags to pack their gear -- backpacks are not acceptable. The Sierra Club furnishes all shared group gear, including stoves, cookware, cooking utensils, a group first-aid kit, route-finding materials, and food, unless otherwise noted in the trip brochure. The leader will supply an equipment list in correspondence with registered participants. Please address any questions about the suitability of equipment to the leader.

References

• Muir, John, Travels in Alaska.
• Rockwell, Kent, Wilderness: A Journal of Quiet Adventure in Alaska.
• Bancroft, Hubert H., A Guide to the Birds of Alaska.
• McPhee, John, Coming Into the Country.

Conservation

Part of our route parallels the oil pipeline, a potent reminder of past disasters and future threats to Alaska's land and wildlife. In fact, Prince William Sound was the site of the Exxon-Valdez disaster. We will take time to discuss some of the conservation issues confronting both Alaska and the Lower 48.

Travel in Alaska and the Arctic

Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska and Arctic Canada trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska and Arctic Canada is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Wayne Martin began his adventures with the Sierra Club more than two decades ago, when he went snow camping in the Sierra Nevada with the Bay Area chapter. Two years later, in 1984, he led his first national Sierra Club trip. Since then he has led more than 50 trips and served as chair of the club's International Outings Subcommittee.

E-mail: wam3978@me.com

Assistant Leader:

Joyce Taira was born and raised on the island of Maui, and never fully realized how fortunate she was to come from such a beautiful place. Although many would never have left the island paradise, Joyce was in search of new adventures and moved to the east coast for college. Currently, she lives in San Francisco and works for the Sierra Club. Joyce is passionate about the outdoors, and thoroughly enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking in the Bay Area. Additionally, she has traveled to many places outside of the U.S., and delights in experiencing new cultures.

Email: joyce.taira@sierraclub.org

Cook:

Ellen Stein continues on her quest for new and exciting travel experiences. As a San Francisco Firefighter/EMT she enjoys the challenges of running into unique and unpredictable situations but prefers leading groups into exotic locations. She finds travel similar be it the Darwinistic shores of the Galapagos evolving into the tiger laden hills of India to the Tyrollean Mountain tops of the Dolomites. Her hobbies include almost every sport excluding those which require minimal activity. After her last trip to India, she has gained a new passion for birds. Join her in a fun-filled adventure of your passionate destination of choice.

E-mail: sfskyway@hotmail.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners