Activities in Whittier
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Portage Pass Trail
Whittier's only USFS-maintained trail makes a superb afternoon hike, providing good views of Portage Glacier, Passage Canal and the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Even better, hike up in the late afternoon and spend the evening camping at Divide Lake.
The Portage Pass Trail is along an old roadbed and is easy to follow. To reach it, head west of town toward the tunnel, then follow the signs leftward onto a road crossing the railroad tracks. You'll find a parking area at the trailhead. Proceed along the right fork as it begins to climb steeply along the flank of the mountain. There's a steady ascent for a mile, finishing at a promontory (elevation 750ft) that offers v…
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A
Honey Charters
Offers tours of Blackstone Bay and Barry Arm, both with a four-person minimum, as well as sightseeing trips to Cordova and Valdez, which both have a 12-person minimum. It specializes in water-taxi transportation to public-use cabins and to remote hunting, fishing and hiking destinations. It's charged per nautical mile for up to 30 people; rates are 40% cheaper if you can coordinate drop-offs and pickups with other groups.
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Smitty's Cove
From the Buckner Building, walk along the Shotgun Cove Hiking Trail, which winds through blueberry and salmonberry thickets to First Salmon Run Picnic Area, and then head a quarter mile down the road to your right (northeast) to get to Smitty's Cove. At low tide you can comb the beach westward, following the water's edge past the ferry terminal to the Triangle.
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B
Prince William Sound Kayak Center
Prince William Sound Kayak Center offers rentals (single/double $50/80) and guided tours, including day-long excursions to Blackstone Bay (for two people $425).
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C
Alaska Sea Kayakers
Alaska Sea Kayakers rents kayaks per day, runs classes, arranges water-taxis and takes various multiday tours to places like Harriman Fjord, Nellie Juan Glacier and Whale Bay.
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D
Lazy Otter Charters
Lazy Otter Charters offers guided day trips to Blackstone Bay for a minimum of four people. It also runs a water-taxi.
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E
Prince William Sound Cruises & Tours
Offers 'quality time' with the very active Surprise Glacier on its six-hour tour of Esther Passage.
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F
Major Marine Tours
Has a USFS ranger on every cruise. It does a five-hour tour of glacier-riddled Blackstone Bay.
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G
Phillips Tours
Sends its speedy Klondike Express past 26 glaciers in one day. Don't blink.
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