As recently as about 10 years ago, Portage Glacier was easily seen from the visitors' center but the glacier has been making a speedy retreat and is now 'around the corner' and visible only by boat. (boat tours (907) 783-2983 (800) 478-6388) May 14 thru Sept. 20.
In winter, don't walk on the ice of the frozen lake. It's a good way to get yourself killed as the ice bergs sometimes roll and shift the ice on the lake's surface. Be careful of bears on the trails as they aren't pets! Icebergs 'calved' off the gracier are usually easy to spot. 'Fish' out some small chunks of ice for your ice crest, Alaskans do! Moose can often be seen from the road to the Visitors' Center.
There's a new place to view Portage Glacier from land. If you drive the new route to Whittier, there's a place between the 2 tunnels where a staging area has been established. The new tunnel is 430 feet long. After you drive that (25 mph speed limit, cars have to stay 100 feet apart.) There's a good view of this glacier that previously could only be seen for a few minutes as you rode the train from Highway 1 to Whittier. You wait your turn in the staging area for your chance to drive through the second tunnel, that you will share with the trains. One hopes, not at the same time! In winter the views can be either outstanding or non-existant depending on the fog. click for Alaska info.
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The next edition of the MILEPOST will be up-to-date about the new driving route to Whittier.The Milepost