SPENCER GLACIER/PLACER RIVER PACKRAFT TRIP

SPENCER GLACIER/PLACER RIVER PACKRAFT TRIP, CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST, ALASKA, JUNE 7-8, 2021:

THE CREW:

Doug Armstrong

Jim Bennett

Wally Hufford

Troy Zimmerman

LOGISTICS:

We hopped aboard the Alaska Railroad Chugach Explorer at Portage and took the short ride to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop.  Hiked to the camp area and set up tents for the night.  The next morning we paddled around the glacier bergs at Spencer Lake before floating down the Placer River back to Jim's vehicle which we had parked at the Seward Highway.

DAY 1:  (6/7/21)

(Train ride/short hike to camp)

Jim had sent out a text.  The weather forecast was good.  Was anybody interested in the Spencer Glacier/Placer River packraft trip?  The responses came in quick and affirmative.  We all went online and got our one-way train ticket to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop and packed our gear.  Before we new it we were assembled as a group at the Portage Train station waiting for the train to arrive so we could hop aboard.

The train ride is splendid in its own right and we enjoyed the scenery as we chugged along the rails.  Arriving at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop we waited for our gear to be unloaded before shouldering our packs and making the short hike to the camp area.  On a packraft trip it's funny how an overnight trip requires almost the same amount of gear as a week(s) long trip.  The only difference really is the amount of food needed.

So, we shouldered our packs and made our way to camp, which was near Spencer Lake.  The evening was spent hiking around the area, telling stories, and participating in a spicy slingshot competition.  While we were at the lake we watched as the guides rowed against the howling wind and through the glacier bergs with their clients.  They really had to strain at pulling oars and maneuvering the rafts.  We watched carefully to see how far away they stayed from the bergs because we wanted to keep that same distance during our float.

Jim Bennett readies gear to be loaded onto the train at the beginning of our trip.

The train arriving in Portage.

Doug Armstrong and Troy Zimmerman aboard the Alaska Railroad...pandemic style.

Arriving at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop.

Troy participates in the evening slingshot competition.

DAY 2:  (6/8/21)

(Float on Spencer Lake/packraft Placer River back to Seward Highway)

By morning the wind had diminished significantly, so we ate a quick breakfast and readied our gear for a float on Spencer Lake and the trip down the Placer River.  It was magical to float amongst the massive glacier bergs that had run aground in the shallow water near the edge of the lake.  We actually paddled around Spencer Lake for a couple hours before heading down the river.

There are just a couple rapids and the remnants of a wrecked train car to avoid as you begin floating the Placer River.  After that it's an easy paddle back to the Seward Highway on calm water.  But, the scenery is unbeatable and definitely holds a paddlers interest.  Arriving at the highway we deflated our rafts and waited for Jim and Doug to shuttle the vehicles.  Then it was just a ride home.  The trip was over.

Now we just wait for another good weather window and a text from Jim for the next adventure.

Early morning paddling amongst the glacier bergs.

Jim takes a photo of the face of Spencer Glacier.

Doug floating down the Placer River back to the Seward Highway.

Packrafters on the Placer River headed back to the Seward Highway.