Adventure - Boat Tour of the Portage Glacier on the MV Ptarmigan

Portage Glacier Cruise

Portage Glacier from the MV Ptarmigan

Stats

Difficulty: very calm water                                                                     Time:  approximately 1 hr

Summary

We chose took the Portage Glacier Cruise on the MV Ptarmigan on 29 Jul 2013 (Portage Glacier Cruises).  This is the only motorized boat authorized on Portage Glacier Lake.  The boat cruises the short distance from the docks to the glacier for a spectacular, close-up view of the Portage Glacier.  A Chugach National Park ranger narrates the trip.

Opinion

This is a great trip.  The price is surprisingly reasonable and

you get tremendous views of Portage glacier.  The ranger is pleasant and knowledgeable.

Advice

Bring a jacket.  Even on the warmest, sunniest day, the wind off the glacier is cold.

While advanced tickets can be purchased, on the day we went, there was no trouble getting tickets for the next boat.  The boat was almost empty.

Suitability

This cruise is on a nice stable boat on a very calm lake.  Even someone who always gets seasick had no problems.  The boat can accommodate handicapped access, although the top floor will not be accessible; however, the view from the bottom is still excellent.

While advanced tickets can be purchased, on the day we went, there was no trouble getting tickets for the next boat.  The boat was almost empty.

Cruise Access

Tickets for the boat cannot be bought at the dock; they must be purchased at the Portage Glacier Day Lodge.  To find the ticket sellers, take the Whittier / Portage Glacier off the Seward Hwy at the end of the Turnagain Arm.  When the road splits, follow the signs to the Portage Glacier to the right.  Look for the sign for the Portage Glacier Day Lodge.  The ticket counter is in the main door then to the right.  After you buy your tickets, ask for directions to the dock.  There is ample parking.

The Cruise

MV Ptarmigan at Dock

Approaching the Glacier

The cruise takes off from the dock and cruises along the north shore of the lake until it reaches the glacier: not more than 10 minutes.   At least 2/3 of the time on the water is spent right next to the glacier face.

View from Portage Glacier Trail

When the boat reaches the far end of the glacier, it turns and drives to a couple hundred yards from the glacier face.  It cruises slowly along the face giving ample time for photography.  When it reaches the end of the glacier face, the boat turns and runs slowly back along the glacier face in the other direction before turning for home.

A Slice of
Portage

Close-up of the Glacier

The glacier is spectacular--cut deeply with crevices and crack and glowing from each crack is the luminous blue that only glaciers show.  If you watch and listen you can hear the glacier cracking and occasionally, if you are lucky, it will calve.

The boat is designed to handle the icebergs that have calved from the glacier, to there is no risk of a repeat of the Titanic disaster.