Williwaw Nature Trail

As many times as we've been to Portage Valley, we've never heard of the Williwaw Nature Trail. It can be accessed from either the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform or the Trail Of Blue Ice. It's flat and follows a stream through thick forest opening into beautiful blue ponds.

For more information on Williwaw Nature Trail (and a map) click here. 

Portage Lake

The Visitor's Center isn't open until May but the parking lot at Portage Lake is open year round. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the shore followed by playing on the ice and checking out the plates of ice pushed ashore by the very strong winds that come through the valley.

For more information on Portage Lake click here.
For more information on the Begich Boggs Visitor's Center click here.

Byron Glacier

It has been a relatively warm, mild winter here but we were still shocked to find no snow or ice on the trail to Byron. The glacier was pretty small as well but as always, fun to play on and around. It was foggy in Anchorage but we took a chance that we could find some sun in Portage Valley and we were right! It's such a fun and easy hike to a glacier that we can't help but come back again and again.

The trailhead to Byron Glacier is off the same exit as the Begich Boggs Visitor's Center. You'll take a right turn after exiting and after a short distance you'll see the parking lot on your right.

For more information on Byron Glacier click here.

Byron Glacier

Byron Glacier is an easy-to-access glacier near Portage Lake. When you take the exit to the Begich Boggs visitors center there will be a right turn to Byron Glacier. After a short drive the parking lot will be on the right. The trail is pretty easy, wide and well-defined. If you take a stroller you'll probably want to park it at the end of the trail to cross the rock field to the actual glacier. Or not. It's a pretty view even if you don't get up close and personal.

For more information on Byron Glacier click here.

Portage Pass Trail

This hike would be amazing even without the view of Portage Glacier at the end. You'll need to go through the Whittier tunnel to access the trailhead so be prepared for a toll and possibly a wait. The beginning of the trail is fairly steep and has some loose rock so supportive shoes are helpful. All the kettle ponds mean lots of mosquitos but there's usually a breeze at the top so that helps.

For more information on Portage Pass trail click here.
For more information on the Whittier Tunnel click here.