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| Group photo at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop Sign (Jeremy, Dylan, Doug, Wally, Jason, Laura) |
Doug Armstrong
Jason Fish
Laura Fish
Jeremy Garrett
Dylan Hooper
Wally Hufford
DETAILS:
Location-Spencer Glacier Lake and Placer River, Alaska.
Days on the water-2
Transportation-Portage>Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop onboard the Alaska Railroad, SpencerLake>Seward Highway take-out via packrafts.
Weather-Sunny and warm.
DAY 1:
Our group met at the Portage Train station where we loaded our gear onto the Alaska Railroad baggage car. Once settled into our seats we enjoyed the scenery as we made way for the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. The ride didn't take long. Before we knew it we were hauling heavy bags of gear toward the edge of Spencer Lake where we established our camp. The afternoon was warm and sunny as we readied our packrafts for a float on the lake amongst the glacier-bergs.
Paddling out onto the lake we encountered a setting that was dramatic and beautiful. Before us was a lake filled with turquoise water and massive chunks of frozen ice. Towering mountain peaks surrounded all of it and stretched to the horizon as far as we could see. It was a scene that filled our eyes just about to the point of disbelief. It was difficult to take it all in as we bobbed around in our tiny boats looking at each other and occasionally remembering to take a photo. Using the term otherworldly wouldn't be an exaggeration.
After we finished our float we made our way back to camp. We visited with some of our neighbors and eventually made our dinners which we ate with gusto. Dylan also provided a special beverage for us since he was celebrating his birthday the following day. We appreciated his efforts and definitely helped him celebrate.
Later in the evening we took a short walk around the area to check things out. We followed roads and trails created by the forest service for the rafting concessionaires. They used them to get clients from the train tracks to the lake. We wondered how much a trip like the would cost.
Once back at camp we visited for a while before turning to our tents for a night of slumber. We had to get up early the next morning because Dylan had to be at the airport in Anchorage around midday. So the alarms were set for 6:00 AM...but we wouldn't need any alarms.
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| Loading gear onto the baggage car at Portage. |
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| Unloading gear at Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. |
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| Laura and Jason onboard the Alaska Railroad bound for Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. |
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| Dylan paddles near a glacier berg on Spencer Lake. |
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| Paddling amongst the glacier bergs. |
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| Jeremy and the donut hole glacier berg. |
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| Doug paddles on Spencer Lake. |
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| Group photo thru a glacier berg hole. |
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| Camp at the edge of Spencer Lake. |
Around 5:00 AM tent zippers began to open and close. Gravel began crunching under tentative steps. Cooking pots clanked before the gentle hum of camp stoves made it clear that morning had begun. It didn't take long before whispered conversations and muffled laughs grew as more of us joined the party. It was Dylan's birthday after all and the day was off to a resplendent, albeit early, start.
We did do our best to keep noise to a minimum since there was a group camping near us and they were still in their tents. So we ate and assembled our gear with little fanfare. Then we paddled our way onto the lake skirting the edge as we headed for the outlet.
It didn't take long until we were on moving water and facing the most important obstacle of the day. Just downstream we could see several huge rollers and we knew a sunken railroad car was just below them.
Hitting the rollers head on we fell into the troughs that followed each one. The water was above our heads in some of the troughs and we would drop out of view momentarily just to reappear at the top of the next roller two seconds later. We all made it with ease and avoided the rail car debris that stuck up above the surface afterward. It was exhilarating and turned out to be the most zesty part of our adventure.
The remainder of the float was serene and almost effortless. We enjoyed the early morning placidity and scenery. Almost too soon we were the take-out. We lugged our packrafts ashore and began to prepare everything for the trip home.
Once the vehicles were loaded we joined all the other weekend travelers on the Seward Highway and headed straight for a celebratory meal at Kenai River Brewing Company.
What a trip it was!
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| Early morning paddle on the Placer River. Headed for the take-out at the Seward Highway. |
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| Gear explosion at the take-out. Repacking everything for the ride home. |
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| Laura and her packraft/camping gear. |
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| Gladys the Jeep is loaded with gear for the ride home. |
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