College Fjord is our ultimate glacier and peaks trips. We begin our trip outside of the fjord and spend several days paddling into the heart of it. Along the way are hidden coves, gushing waterfalls, abandoned gonld mines, hikes to mountain lakes and salmon streams. In one spectacular area you can see twelve different glaciers at once, many of them claving icebergs into the sea! The fjord is ringed by jagged mountains rising from sea level to over 10,000 feet. The last maps were made in 1926 and because of glacial retreat, some areas have changed dramatically as new land and islands are exposed. It was exciting to draw in several miles of new detiales on our personal maps!
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive in Anchorage and transfer on your own to hotel. At 6 pm we have an orientation meeting . Trip leaders will distribute waterproof gear bags and give advice on how to pack for your trip. Hotel is included.
Day 2:
Anchorage to Prince William Sound. Early departure for the scenic 1 hour drive from Anchorage to Portage. We'll drive along Turnagain Arm which has the second highest tides in the world. There is a good chance to see beluga whales and dall sheep on the way! In Portage we board the Alaska Railroad for the short ride to Whittier and Prince William Sound. In Whittier we load the kayaks and gear on the charter boat. A 1.5 hour boat trip takes us to our first camp on a small island near the abandoned mining site of Golden. After setting up camp and kayaking lessons, we spend the rest of the day exploring the area.
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Day 3:
Paddle North to Coghill Point. A few miles of scenic paddlin along cliffs and rocky coast brings us to a hidden cove with an impressive waterfall. In season, hundreds of salmon gather in the pool below the falls. Our camp on Coghill Point is also near one of the largest red salmon sttreams in the Sound. If time (or energy) allows there is a beautiful 7 mile round trip hike to Coghill Lake.
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Day 4:
Paddle to Yale Arm. The terrain is forested with a mixed coast of cliffs and beaches as we approach Yale Arm. We will paddle past four glaciers cascading down the steep mountainsides. the peaks and glaciers just keep getting bigger as we approach the head of the fjord. At the entrance to Yale ARm is an extensive open area with many hiking opportunities.
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Day 5:
Paddle to Yale Glacier. Today will be an unforgettable expeience. As we paddle towards Yale Glacier, the rock walls echo with the thunder of a falling ice as icebergs clave from the glacier. After "glacier watching" we camp nearby where we can hike closer to the ice. Here, the glacier has retreated so quickly that our camp is located where the maps indicate nothing but ice!
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Day 6:
Paddle to Harvard Glacier. Paddling around College Point we approach Harvard Glacier. At two miles wide and over 300 feet high at the face is a very active and impressive glacier! Avove us are some of the highest peaks in the Chugach Range. If weather is clear we might be able to see Mt Marcus Baker, The highest peak in the Chugach, over 13,000 feet tall.
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Day 7:
Paddle to Bryn Mawr Glacier and a spectacular campsite. We leave Yale Arm and cross from College Point to the far side of the fjord. We spend our last evening camp right at the base of Bryn Mawr glacier. The glacier tumbles down the vertical mountainside and stops just short of the water. Our camp is spread among the jumble of house sized boulders left by th eretreat of the ice with an amazing view of College Fjord.
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Day 8:
Half day paddle to our pick-up point. We head south along the west side of College Fjord. The forested flats, meadows and small streams are a favorite for the local Sitka deer. Early afternoon pick-up in a tranquil cove and return to Anchorage.
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Day 9:
Depart for home or other destinations.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices include hotels before and after the trip.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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