Photo: Greg Pflug Glaciers, Grizzlies and Ghost Towns, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08010A Price: $2,345 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 12 Leader: Joyce Taira
The Trip  Photo: Greg Pflug
This is a great introduction to Alaska's varied topography
and wildlife for travelers seeking a leisurely journey. Since we will be traveling
before the height of tourist season, we will experience some of Alaska's most
intriguing environments without the crowds. The relaxed pace of our journey
and the long summer days will allow us ample time to explore fjords, ice fields,
and some of the highest mountains in North America. By van and ferry, we will
travel from Anchorage to Cordova and Valdez, two charming communities
in Prince William Sound, where we will see glaciers, rivers, historic sights,
and Alaska's diverse marine treasures. We will then travel by van to a base
camp in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, visiting McCarthy and the ghost town
of
Kennicott. Finally, we will proceed by van back to Anchorage.
 Photo: Greg Pflug Day 1: We will leave Anchorage early in the morning, taking the Seward Highway
along the Turnagain Arm. If we're lucky, we'll catch a view of whales at Beluga
Point. Along the way we will stop at a wildlife reserve for a picnic lunch.
We will also stop at the Portage Glacier for a brief perusal of the visitor
center
and a possible walk around the lake, which is typically studded with huge ice
chunks that have calved off the glacier. Driving to Whittier, we'll catch the
ferry
across Prince William Sound to Cordova. Much of Cordova's charm comes from
its isolation; it is not on the road system and is accessible only by water
or plane.
We’ll camp here for the next four nights.  Photo: Greg Pflug Days 2 - 4: During these three days we will explore the immediate Cordova area, enjoying leisurely hikes, spectacular mountains, possible moose sightings, and other wildlife grazing in the valley. We may catch our first glimpse of bald eagles as we hike. We'll also drive out to Childs Glacier, where huge chunks of ice calve into the Copper River several times per hour. It's guaranteed to provide thrills, and there is a good possibility of seeing grizzlies fishing for salmon. We will then drive on to the Million Dollar Bridge, which was built in 1908 to provide rail access from Cordova to the Kennicott mine. A section of the bridge collapsed into the Copper River in the 1964 earthquake. In the 40 years since, debate has raged over whether to continue work on a highway that would allow road access to Cordova. We'll stay overnight at a campground.  Photo: Greg Pflug Day 5: Today we'll break camp and head back to Cordova, stopping to view wildlife and to explore the downtown area. In the afternoon we will enjoy sea kayaking in Prince William Sound, a natural aquarium that is home to sea otters, seals, eagles, salmon, and orcas. Both brown and black bears are often visible on shore against an incredible backdrop of snowcapped peaks. We'll overnight at the Orca Lodge after enjoying a hot shower and a meal at a local restaurant.  Photo: Greg Pflug Days 6 – 9: Rising early, we'll proceed by ferry to
Valdez. After exploring Valdez, we'll drive by van to Wrangell-St. Elias National
Park, which is six
times the size of Yellowstone National Park. The wildlife here is exceptional,
with frequent sightings of black and brown bears, moose, mountain goats,
beaver, and many species of birds. We’ll hike from the lodge up the nearby
valleys, and be rewarded with views of local glaciers and ice fields. We
will also cross
a foot bridge for a guided half-day tour of Root Glacier in Kennicott. We
will also have the opportunity to tour the copper mill. Our last day in Kennicott
will be designated as a free day. You can choose to go river rafting, hiking,
or take a scenic flight with a local air taxi operator. (These optional activities
are not included in the trip price.) We'll stay the next four nights at a
rustic lodge.  Photo: Greg Pflug Day 10: We will leave the park, driving the first leg of the 240-mile journey
back to Anchorage on the Glenn Highway. Along the way we will stop at the visitor
center in Chitina National Park and take a last look at the glaciers. Overnight
at Tolsona Campground. Day 11: On our last day, we'll leave Tolsona for a leisurely
trip back to Anchorage, with a stop at Palmer en route. Trip members may plan
to enjoy a final meal
together. You may also want to stay on in Alaska to enjoy another part of this excellent
state. May is a wonderful time of the year to visit Alaska. The
weather is usually mild and the crowds have not arrived yet. Getting There Trip members are advised to fly into Anchorage, our starting point, early enough to be ready for travel on the morning of day one. By planning to arrive early, trip members will have extra time to deal with (unlikely but possible) missed flight connections or lost baggage. The leader will provide trip members with the name of a reasonably priced, centrally located hotel to spend the night before the trip, which is not included in the trip price.
 Photo: Greg Pflug While in Cordova we will camp with the exception of one night at Orca Lodge. In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park we will stay at the Kennicott River Lodge and Hostel. On our return trip to Anchorage, we will camp one last time at Tolsona Campground. All meals are included, from lunch on the first day through dinner on the last. All food is included in the trip fee, along with the use of cooking gear, stoves, and fuel. Trip members will be divided into cook crews so that everyone will be involved in meal preparation and clean up a few times during the trip. Vegetarian preferences can be accommodated. Let the leader know of any food allergies or limitations as far in advance as possible.
 Photo: Greg Pflug The trip is designed as a gentle but authentic introduction to Alaska. The variety of optional activities should allow participants to choose appropriate activities for their ability levels. There are no overnight backpack trips, and you will only need to carry lunch and such items as rainwear and a sweater while hiking. The weather in May is generally mild and most tourists have not arrived yet. Temperatures typically range from the 40s to the 70s. Assume that there will be rain during the trip, especially in Cordova. If you are prepared, and able to greet adverse weather as part of the adventure, you will enjoy this trip. Insects should not be a major problem in this area, but bring insect repellent and face netting just in case.
On Sierra Club outings, participants furnish their own personal equipment,
including items such as tents, sleeping bags, daypacks, boots, a basic first-aid
kit, toiletries, and eating utensils. Due to space constraints in the van,
participants need to use duffle bags to pack their gear -- backpacks are not
acceptable. The Sierra Club furnishes all shared group gear, including stoves,
cookware, cooking utensils, a group first-aid kit, route-finding materials,
and food, unless otherwise noted in the trip brochure. The leader will supply an
equipment list in correspondence with registered
participants. Please address any questions about the suitability of equipment
to the leader.
Conservation Part of our route parallels the oil pipeline, a potent reminder of past disasters
and future threats to Alaska's land and wildlife. In fact, Prince William Sound
was the site of the Exxon-Valdez disaster. We will take time to discuss some
of the conservation issues confronting both Alaska and the Lower 48. Travel in Alaska and the Arctic Sierra Club outings in Alaska are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You’re in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they’ll provide all the guidance you need.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
E-mail: gpflug@yahoo.com General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Joyce Taira was born and raised on the island of Maui, and never fully realized how fortunate she was to come from such a beautiful place. Although many would never have left the island paradise, Joyce was in search of new adventures and moved to the east coast for college. Currently, she lives in San Francisco and works for the Sierra Club. Joyce is passionate about the outdoors, and thoroughly enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking in the Bay Area. Additionally, she has traveled to many places outside of the U.S., and delights in experiencing new cultures.
Ellen Stein has found her prince but continues on her quest for new and exciting travel experiences. As a San Francisco firefighter/EMT, she enjoys the challenge of running into unique and unpredictable situations. She finds travel to be a similar experience, be it on the Darwinian shores of the Galapagos, the tiger-laden hills of India, or the Tyrolean mountaintops of the Dolomites. Her hobbies include almost every sport except for those that require minimal activity. After her last trip to India, she gained a new passion for birds. Join her on a fun-filled adventure to your passionate destination of choice.
Greg Pflug has been coordinating and leading adventures for over 14 years. He is a certified ACA kayak instructor, wilderness first responder, PADI scuba diver, Red Cross lifeguard, and is trained in backcountry first aid. In addition, he has worked for the State of Florida as an outdoor specialist. Greg spends, on average, 30-35 weeks a year leading wilderness adventures.
On Greg’s tours watches, cell phones, personal radios, laptops, and all other battery operated gizmos (except cameras) are not permitted.