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Winter hike to an active glacier.


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Map Key

6.1

Miles

9.8

KM

Loop

912' 278 m

High

118' 36 m

Low

820' 250 m

Up

818' 249 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features -none-

Family Friendly Absolutely flat hike to spectacular scenery.

Can only do this hike when Portage Lake is frozen, which is usually December through March. This trail is for winter use only when snow covered.

Overview

Hike across frozen Portage Lake to its namesake glacier in the spectacular Chugach Mountains.

Need to Know

The visitor center is closed during the winter months.

Description

Beginning at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center head out onto the frozen Portage Lake. There are usually a few paths beaten into the snow to ease effort hiking across the frozen lake. Traction or snowshoes are recommended depending on conditions.

Head southeast across the lake for approximately two miles before rounding southwest into the large arm carved by the retreating glacier. Walk another mile to the face of Portage Glacier.

Please keep in mind that this is an active glacier, more so in the spring, that can release house-sized chunks of ice with little warning. Return the way you came.

History & Background

Portage Glacier extended across what is now the lake in the early 1900's. The Visitor Center was named in memory of Congressmen Nick Begich of Alaska and Congressmen Hale Boggs of Louisiana. Both men were killed in a 1972 plane crash en route from Anchorage to Juneau.

Contacts

Shared By:

Matt Hage

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#3

in Portage

#3224

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
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in Portage

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Photos

Snow-capped mountains see the sun peek through the clouds in the middle of summer on the Kenai Peninsula.
Dec 31, 2016 near Girdwood, AK
Looking at Portage Glacier from a safe distance.
Jun 8, 2020 near Girdwood, AK

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