Alaska – Canada Travels 2014, Whittier and the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise, July 17th to 18th.

 

The entrance to the 2-mile tunnel to Whittier.

The drive to Whittier is an interesting one. You have to go through a 2-mile train tunnel driving on the track bed which is a little disconcerting.

We queue up to go through the tunnel. 

Inside the tunnel.

Traffic moves through from each side of the tunnel on the half hour. The trains that alternate with the traffic carry cargo and passengers between Whittier to Anchorage.

Delightful gift shops welcome visitors along the harbor.

 

Carvings celebrate the wildlife of Prince William Sound.

Whittier Harbor.

Whittier is a colorful, busy little port with cargo and cruise ships, fishing and tour boats coming and going.

We watch the courtship of a pair of Ravens along the harbor.

The Phillips Cruise catamaran prepares for boarding. 

On our bucket list is a glacier and wildlife cruise. We took the highly recommended Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise, a 5 hour tour in Prince William Sound. The boat is a triple-deck catamaran and glides fast and smooth over the water as it carries us to the glaciers.

Departing the harbor.

It was really exciting pulling out of port since we’ve never been on a boat before. There are comfortable indoor viewing and dining salons on the lower two decks and outdoor observation decks on all three levels. Lunch is included and prepared on board. We had delicious beer-battered baked cod and chips, and I loved it when the staff came by with seconds.

We pass and island where sea lions are basking.

Gliding up the misty channel.

The beauty of the sound unfolds as glaciers come into view.

Glaciers claw their way down to the sea. These are called tidal glaciers.

We slowly cruise close to a glacier.

We hear loud cracking sounds as the glacier calves several time while we drift in front of it.

Seals lounge on the ice flows in font of the glaciers.

A sea otter paddles along on his back. What ever their doing they look like they're having fun.

We visit more glaciers.

We spent most of our time moving between the three outside decks we cruised along. The day starts out with low clouds which add to the mystery of the sea and forest as we travel up the passage.

Inside the salon a ranger tells of the history of exploration of Prince William Sound.

The captain comments on what we’re seeing as we cruise along. In the salon a Forest Service Ranger talks about the wildlife and the interesting history and famous explorers of Prince William sound.

We pass a water fall and cliff that serve as a Kittiwake rookery. 

Hundreds of Kittiwakes nest on the cliffs.

It’s an amazing voyage with amazing sights. Our photos show the wonderful things we saw but can’t tell you of the feeling as the boat glides across the water with the wake streaming out in silver lines behind and the rush of crisp air on our faces as we stand at the rail looking forward.


Happy cruisers.

It’s obvious the captain and crew love what they do. We had a quality experience and highly recommend them.

Coming back into the harbor. People stand on the bow of the catamaran to watch the approach.

There isn’t much camping in Whittier so we boon dock on a gravel shore near the tunnel where we can watch the gulls and ships come and go.

We boondock on a gravel beach near the harbor at Whittier.

From our camp we can watch the gulls argue over fish scraps.

For lack of internet we find great entertained provided by a flock of ravens.

Before we leave Whittier we hike the Portage Trail to Portage Glacier. It’s a 5-mile round-trip hike over the pass and down to the head of Portage Lake where the glacier crouches at the lakes edge.

We're lucky to see Portage Glacier graced with spring flowers.

Yellow Monkey Flowers grow along the creek.

We spot a Yellow-crowned Sparrow singing from his perch.

A swan shaped float of ice soon melts and tips into the water as we watch. So much for ice sculptures.

We get back to the Sprinter before noon and queue up for the drive back through the tunnel.

A train enters the tunnel while we wait our turn.

In the queue and ready to go back through the tunnel as we say goodbye to Whittier.

Whittier was a great experience and we highly recommend it.

Our next destination will be Homer, AK.

See you down the road.

Jackie