Kayaking, hiking, berry picking, salmon fishing and wildlife watching are just some of the activities possible in this uniquely beautiful bay. The next day paddle along the intricately convoluted shorelines of Valdez Narrows, passing countless waterfalls, eagles' nests and sea caves. Camp in view of spectacular Shoup Glacier. The following day explore Shoup Glacier than paddle back to Valdez with a stop at Gold Creek. 10-12 miles of paddling each day.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: In the morning we meet at our office for a pre-trip safety briefing, short paddling lesson and equipment fitting. Load boats on our specialized ‘water taxi’ and sit back and enjoy. The trip out to Sawmill Bay, the first of our state park stops, takes approximately 50 minutes. After unloading and setting up camp we spend the first day perfecting our paddling skills and exploring beautiful Sawmill Bay with its lush rain forest, waterfalls, eagles nests, seals, otters and other wildlife. A hike in the rain forest will bring us to a freshwater lake large enough for a refreshing swim. In the evening we kayak up river to look for bleak bears feasting on salmon.
Day 2: After a hardy breakfast, we pack the boats and begin our journey into the arm and around Potato Point. Along the way bask in the beauty of falling water as falls cascade from hundreds of feet up the cliff faces. This is a great time to watch for wildlife such as otters, seals, sea lions and occasionally whales. Stop for lunch and spend some time beach combing on the rugged coastline between Sawmill and Shoup Glacier, our intended destination for the evening. Once in Shoup Bay, the first views of Shoup Glacier will begin to unfold. The closer you get the bigger it is! After paddling into the inner tidal lagoon you will come face to face with the splendor of a tidewater glacier. Experience the awesome beauty of the ‘blue’ ice and listen to the cracking and popping as ice prepares to ‘calve’ into the azure waters of the bay. After exploring and visiting the Black Legged Kittiwake rookery, now numbering more than 20,000 birds, we will make our way to a camping spot. After dinner you have the choice of going on small hike on the moraine, or simply relax and wait for the special opportunity to see the ‘Northern Lights’ spread out across the evening star filled sky.
Day 3: After a breakfast and beverages, head out into the bay one more time for a morning tour. This is a great time to get those last photos by the glacier. We’ll than paddle back and breakdown camp. Now we begin our journey back to Valdez, paddling the beautiful coastline of Port Valdez. Along the way learn more about the mining and gold rush history of Prince William Sound as we paddle by the ‘cliff mine’. Watch for eagles as we pull into Gold Creek, a state marine park. Lunch time and a perfect pit stop in between Shoup and Valdez. After lunch take a short hike up to the steep, basalt gorge littered with waterfalls and big trees. This is the northern most example of the temperate rain forest which stretches from Coos Bay in Oregon to Prince William Sound and southern Alaska. The last three miles back to Valdez are good for seeing river otters, seals, sea lions and bird life. Pull back into the small boat harbor of Valdez mid to late afternoon. Be prepared for both intense periods of sunshine and for cold rainy days. Prince William Sound has a warm and wet coastal climate, typical of temperate rain forests. Temperatures range between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but abnormally cold spells can happen when night time temperatures drop to the below 40s. You should come prepared for wet or dry weather. Sea kayaking fortunately is a sport that can easily be pursued while raining. Provided you are adequately dressed, seas tend to be calmer and wildlife is more easily approached. You should follow standard layering techniques in your choice of clothing. No kayaking experience is necessary.
We recommend you bring minimum of 2 sets of warm clothes:
First Set
- Pants/Long Johns: preferably wool, fleece, or polypropylene - they are excellent sources of warmth even when wet. I recommend fleece clothing because it dries very quickly and retains its warmth when wet. Synthetics do dry faster than wool.
- Upper body: 3 layers of wool/polypropylene /or fleece, (i.e., long john top, shirt, jacket) and a windbreaker.
- Feet: Warm socks, one pair per day and 2 additional pairs. We recommend polypro and wool blend socks with standard high top rubber boots (called break-up boots in Alaska) for getting in and out of the boat, for hiking and tide pooling. I strongly recommend that you bring your own boots, so as to assure proper fit. However we do have a supply of boots available for you to use. Please let me know the sizes you need in ample time so that we can have them available.
- Hands: We provide pogies for fully guided clients. Polypro or wool gloves are also very good with rubberized dish washing gloves to put over them on rainy days Please bring at least 2 pairs of gloves.
- Head: A ski cap and baseball cap.
- Rain Gear: Good rain gear is essential for protection from both rain and wind. It should fit well and be sturdy if you have a dry suit, paddling pants, jacket and/ or booties - bring them along.
Additional Set:
- This can be additional warm clothes in case you get too cold or wet & should include: a wool sweater, wool or fleece pants (or light weight wind pants), a wool gloves and/or mittens, wool or fleece hat.
Additional items:
- T-shirt, shorts, thin loose pants;
- Thin loose long sleeve shirt to prevent sunburns, sun glasses;
- Comfortable camp shoes (ex. Tennis shoe, sandals, camp moccasins);
- Sun screen 15-25 rating;
- Insect repellent and or mosquito headnet, small day pack for hiking;
- Croakies for sun glasses or glasses, water bottle;
- Pocket knife, watch;
- Waterproof flashlight or head lamp, extra batteries.
Your personal toilet items should include:
- Towel Toothbrush/paste;
- Biodegradable soap, hand towel for tent.
Camping Equipment: Note: We will provide these items for fully guided clients (if necessary)
- Sleeping pad;
- Sleeping bag –3 season. Down is not recommended;
- Tent – a full cover rainfly is recommended.
Optional Items:
- Camera, film and replacement batteries, binoculars;
- Books, umbrella;
- Fishing license: can be purchased anywhere in Alaska. Licenses can be purchased for a day, week, month, or year.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Minimum age: 12.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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