travel north america united states of america alaska portage glacier around the glacier
Portage Glacier was a real pleasant surprise.
Located just north of the Whittier tunnel, I had read that the Portage Glacier had retreated so far that it couldn't be seen from the Visitor's Center.
It didn't matter, the glacier itself was no where near as spectacular as those we saw in Glacier Bay and College Fjord.
However, the glacial lake was the real scene stealer.
A beautiful contemporary concrete Visitor's Center has both a well designed museum and spectacular viewing rooms.
Concrete walkways run right along the side of the lake which is filled with the most interesting icebergs we saw on the whole trip.
The center features a film on glaciers in a large auditorium...
When the film ends, the screen retracts, the curtains part, and the wall behind is all glass with spectacular views of the lake.
TRAVEL: 2012-
This location has earned an overall four-and-a-half star (very good+) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
****1/2
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Ice fills Portage Lake in front of Portage Glacier near Whittier, Alaska, USA, 2012.
Unusual iceberg, Portage Glacier, near Whittier, Alaska, USA, 2012.
Lake view, Portage Glacier, near Whittier, Alaska, USA, 2012.
Lake view, Portage Glacier, near Whittier, Alaska, USA, 2012.
High density crystal clear ice from Portage Glacier, near Whittier, Alaska, USA, 2012.
Beautiful concrete Visitor's Center, Portage Glacier, near Whittier, Alaska, 2012.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised june 2022