Epic Adventures
Special Places
What to do, where to go, what to see.
The Chugach is full of special places, from the Kenai Peninsula to Prince William Sound, to the eastern shores of the Copper River Delta. We are pleased to highlight a number of different and interesting spots.
Highlighted Areas
Iditarod National Historic Trail: Southern Trek
Hikers enjoy a leisurely boardwalk section of the INHT: Southern Trek.
(USDA Forest Service photo)The Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT) is over 2,000 miles of historic trails and travel corridors commemorating the overland routes used during Alaska’s Gold Rush to reach gold fields in Alaska's interior. The route traditionally kicked off from Seward, Alaska’s northernmost ice-free port, which served as a supply point for points north in the early part of the twentieth century. From there, gold rush travelers would head north over snow and ice, typically via dogsled, traversing a network of routes depending on conditions.
In 1978, recognizing the importance of the Iditarod trail network as part of America’s story, the US Congress designated the trail as one of the first National Historic Trails. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serves as the lead trail administrator, responsible for overall management of over 2,000 miles leading from Seward to Nome, Alaska. These miles traverse remote and generally submerged regions that are only accessible in winter when it freezes over.
The INHT: Southern Trek consists of miles 0 to 120 from Seward to Crow Pass. The original trail has been largely subsumed by the Seward Highway and the Alaska Railroad in modern times. Because of this, the 1986 INHT Comprehensive Management Plan guided the US Forest Service to construct a parallel trail to be managed for year-round recreation. The INHT: Southern Trek, as it was named, travels through iconic coastal landscapes of Alaska and the Chugach National Forest: temperate rainforest, snowy mountains, hanging glaciers, and crystal alpine lakes. It is accessible from multiple trailheads along its length.
Goose Bay Cabin
Goose Bay Cabin is open and reservations can be made at recreation.gov for the newly reconstructed Goose Bay Cabin in Prince William Sound.
The Forest Service closed the original cabin in 2012 after it was irreparably damaged by extreme snow loading. The new A-frame cabin sits just yards away from a pristine inlet in Goose Bay and is accessible by boat or seaplane. It was designed to withstand heavy snow loads and other extreme environmental conditions.
Goose Bay Cabin is a great place for recreation, relaxation and sightseeing on Prince William Sound. This is a prime spot for winter recreationists, but a variety of activities are offered throughout the year for backcountry enthusiasts. This remote site can be accessed by a 45-minute float plane trip from Anchorage or a boat ride from Whittier, depending on conditions. In mid-November, the bay freezes over, making transportation to the cabin a challenge. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Facilities
The A-frame cabin sleeps six and comes equipped with wooden bunks, a table, benches, a kerosene heater and an outside pit toilet. At low tide, guests may have to walk through some mud to get to the ramp from the water. Guests need to bring their own supply of drinking water, as well as heater fuel (Users must supply their own kerosene. 1 gallon will last for ~ 8 hours). Items such as a cook stove, lanterns or flashlights, bedding, sleeping pads, cooking gear, garbage bags and toilet paper are not provided. All trash must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before departure.
Portage Glacier & Portage Valley
A visitor views mountain reflections on a still Portage Lake in March
(USDA Forest Service )Welcome to the land of ice & rock...
Portage Valley is a 14 mile isthmus that connects the Kenai Peninsula to mainland Alaska. Portage Glacier once extended the entire length of the valley. The glacial remnants seen today are Explorer, Middle, Byron, Burns, and Shakespeare glaciers. While still massive in size, these glaciers stand as smaller reminders of the immense ice sheets that once covered this landscape.
Spencer Bench Cabin
A Forest Service employee stands on Spencer Bench overlooking the glacier and lake as clouds roll in.
(USDA Forest Service)The newest cabin on the Chugach National Forest, located at 1,900' elevation overlooking Spencer Glacier. Alpine meadows just above cabin offer excellent off-trail exploring with a nearby creek for water. 15' x 17' trapper-style cabin with wooden bunks (no mattresses), table, counter, kerosene heater, fire extinquisher, and separate outhouse. Bring cook stove, cooking utensils and all items you'll need to be comfortable, including during the hike up 1,800' over 5 miles, from the Spencer Whistle Stop Train station.
Other Adventures
Glacier Discovery Train: Scheduled service Anchorage to Whittier; Anchorage to Whittier & Spencer Glacier; and Full route: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/schedules
Alaska Railroad Spencer Bench Cabin rentals - information and seasonal dates for railroad tickets and cabin rental. Note: changes were made in 2024. Visit https://www.alaskarailroad.com/travel-planning/destinations/spencer-gla….
Recreation.gov rental for seasonal dates, passes, and booking information for facilities.