GIRDWOOD: Roadway splits turnagain arm from chugach heights.
A drive south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway takes lucky travelers along one of this country's most spectacular stretches of road, where the waters of Turnagain Arm kiss the mountains.
Even for those who decide to stop at Girdwood, their brief journey will give them sights along the way they'll dream of later: Chugach State Park's 3,000-foot mountains to the left; the Turnagain Arm mudflats spreading on the right into Cook Inlet (and maybe the sight of one of the inlet's famed bore tides); waterfowl and other birds; glacial waterfalls tumbling into roadside ditches; snowy mountain goats and sheep; perhaps a white beluga whale pod in the inlet -- and many turnouts for pausing and marveling at the views.
Girdwood is a rich treasure chest of events and attractions, be it a high-end resort and dining to outdoor activities for every season, from winter skiing to paragliding, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, helicopter flightseeing with glacier viewing, dog mushing, berry picking and even classes on local edible mushrooms.
GIRDWOOD ATTRACTIONS
ALASKA PARAGLIDING
Soar with the eagles over Girdwood with skilled pilots in a tandem paraglide ride. Fun for all age 5 and older, adults under 250 pounds. Photographs of your trip can be purchased.
WHERE: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
WHEn: June 1 to Sept. 15
COSt: $195
PHONE: 301-1215
WEB: www.alaskaparagliding.com
ALASKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER
Home to more than 150 orphaned or injured animals, AWCC is a nonprofit organization where visitors can see the only herd of wood bison in the United States, along with brown and black bears, moose, musk oxen, caribou, bison, raptors and more.
WHERE: Mile 79 Seward Highway
WHEN: May 15 to Sept. 15, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; rest of the year, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
COST: $10 adults, $7.50 seniors, military and children ages 4-12; $30 maximum per car
PHONE: 783-2025
WEB: www.alaskawildlife.org
ALPINE AIR ALASKA INC.
Amazing helicopter flights from Girdwood bring Alaska's beauty to you. One tour features landing -- and walking -- on a glacier. The other, also on a glacier, includes a lesson on driving a dog team and learning about life as an Alaska musher.
WHERE: Mt. Hood Road
WHEN: Beginning at 8 a.m., six flights per day in the summer, five daily fall and winter
COST: Varies
PHONE: 783-2360
WEB: www.alpineairalaska.com
ALYESKA RESORT
Near Turnagain Arm at the base of the Chugach Mountains, this luxury hotel and resort accommodates the outdoor lover in you. From late May to early October, the resort offers Mount Alyeska access via a 60-person aerial tram to 2,300 feet above sea level for breathtaking views of Turnagain Arm and surrounding glaciers.
WHERE: 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
WHEn: Daily
COST: Varies
PHONE: 754-1111
WEB: www.alyeskaresort.com
BEGICH, BOGGS VISITOR CENTER
Overlooking Portage Lake, this popular center is surrounded by the Chugach and Kenai mountains. Exhibits include wild weather, Alaska animals, glaciers and local area history.
WHERE: Portage Glacier Highway, off the Seward Highway
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, May 26 through Labor Day
COST: Free; $5 adults for movie and exhibit; children 15 and younger free
PHONE: 783-2326
WEB: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach_pages/bbvc/bbvc.htm
CROW CREEK MINE
Dating back to the Gold Rush of 1896 and featured on NBC's "America's Toughest Jobs," this working mine is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can pan for gold, picnic or relax and learn about the mine's unique history while surrounded by historical buildings, rare mining equipment, wilderness scenery. Enjoy a hike along the historic Iditarod Trail. Camping and RV parking are available.
WHERE: Three miles up Crow Creek Road, off the Alyeska Highway
WHEn: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, May 15 to Sept. 15
COST: $10 sightseeing admission; gold panning is $20 for adults, $15 seniors or active military, $10 for children 7 and under
PHONE: 229-3105
WEB: www.crowcreekmine.com
GIRDWOOD CENTER FOR VISUAL ARTS
This nonprofit center gives back to the artistic community through your purchases and features a fine art and gifts co-op gallery composed of the works of more than 40 Alaska artists.
WHERE: Olympic Mountain Loop (next to the Bake Shop)
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
COST: Free; donations appreciated
PHONE: 783-3209
WEB: gcvaonline.org
INDIAN TO GIRDWOOD TRAIL
The paved 12-mile trail follows Turnagain Arm near the Seward Highway and winds its scenic way through three communities to the Alyeska Resort. The trail is groomed for cross-country skiing in winter.
WHERE: Mile 96.1 Seward Highway, Indian to Alyeska Resort; several parking spots are available at both ends
WHEN: Daily, year-round
Cost: Free
PHONE: 269-8400 (Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage)
WEB: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/trails/indian2gird.htm
INDIAN VALLEY MINE
Learn traditional gold panning techniques here, where Peter R. Strong staked his claim to the mine on the Turnagain Arm in the early 1900s. It has since gained local significance for its lode mining and early settlement history.
WHERE: 27301 Seward Highway, Mile 104
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, May 15 to Sept. 15
COST: $1 general admission; $10 to $100 to pan for gold
PHONE: 653-1120
WEB: www.indianvalleymine.com
PORTAGE GLACIER TOURS
Portage Glacier is one of the easiest glaciers to view in Southcentral Alaska, and Gray Line offers one-hour cruises on Portage Lake to within a few hundred yards of the glacier. The MV Ptarmigan weaves through iceberg- dotted waters on a narrated tour. Tours can be booked at the Anchorage office, 745 W. Fourth Ave.
WHERE: Portage Lake Road
WHEN: 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. daily, May 18 to Sept. 16
COSt: $34 adults, $17 children ages 12 and younger
PHONE: 888-452-1737
WEB: www.graylinealaska.com
Spencer Glacier Whistle-stop Tour
A partnership between the Alaska Railroad and Chugach National Forest provides access to the backcountry aboard the railroad. Passengers can hop off the train at the Spencer Whistle Stop for a narrated three-mile hike with a ranger.
WHERE: Portage to Spencer Glacier and back
WHEN: Daily
COST: Starting at $64
PHONE: 907-265-2494, 800-544-0552
WEB: alaskarailroad.com/
Destinations/SpencerGlacier/tabid/137/Default.aspx
GIRDWOOD EVENTS
SPRING CARNIVAL and TACO BELL SLUSH CUP
A cadre of costumed skiers band together to celebrate the last weekend of spring skiing with the infamous Slush Cup. After a slope run, competitors attempt to ski over a 90-foot-long pool of water. Fun for everyone includes a team tug of war, kids' fun races and live music.
WHERE: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
WHEN: April 20-22
COST: Free admission; event participant fees vary
PHONe: 754-1111
WEB: www.girdwoodchamber.com
FIDDLEHEAD FOLK FESTIVAL
A family-friendly gathering features acoustic artists, a beer garden and craft vendors.
WHERE: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
WHEN: June 8-9
COST: Check website or call
PHONE: 754-1111
WEB: www.alyeskaresort.com
GIRDWOOD FOREST FAIR
Meet Alaska artists and explore the handcrafted items and exotic foods on hand, plus noted entertainers from all over the state. T-shirt design contest. Camping allowed with a permit and for a fee.
WHERE: Forest Fair Park, Mile 2.2 Alyeska Highway
WHEN: July 6-7, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; July 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; parade 10 a.m. July 7
COST: Free
PHONE: No phone; visit website for email contacts
Web: www.girdwoodforestfair.com
BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
Features blueberry picking, live music, chairlift rides, food and craft vendors. Fun for all ages.
WHERE: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
When: Aug. 11-12
COST: Free
PHONE: 754-1111
WEB: www.alyeskaresort.com
FUNGUS FAIR
Mycologists give you the lowdown on local mushrooms, through lectures and hikes, followed by a Fungus Formal dinner featuring mushroom dishes at the Hotel Alyeska.
WHERE: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
WHEN: Aug. 30-Sept. 2
COST: Free; fundraiser dinner cost TBA
PHONe: 754-1111
WEB: www.alyeskaresort.com
VERTICAL CHALLENGE CLIMB-A-THON
If you're into endurance challenges, this is an all-time, must-do event. See how many trips you can walk, hike or run up Mount Alyeska's nearly 2,500-foot high North Face Trail, with a tram ride down in between. Race runs approximately 10 hours in duration.
WHERE: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
WHEN: Sept. 8
COST: $20 advance registration, $30 day of the race
PHONE: 754-1111
WEb: wwww.alyeskaresort.com
ANCHORAGE TO GIRDWOOD A DRIVE TO SAVOR
SCENIC HIGHWAY: Trip features stunning vistas, trails, history.
Here are highlights of the drive south from Anchorage to Girdwood.
• Potter Marsh (Mile 117). The boardwalk sweeps around Potter Marsh, where migrating birds include pintails, rednecked grebes, golden eyes and trumpeter swans.
• Potter Section House Railroad Museum (Mile 115). Includes photos from the National Archives. Across the road is Potter Trailhead, the starting point of the Turnagain Arm Trail, an easy, 9 1/2-mile hiking trail with incredible views as far as Windy Point.
• McHugh Creek Picnic Area (Mile 111). A scenic spot with a waterfall, pond and creek. For the more fit and adventurous, a 3,000-foot vertical trail leads to Rabbit Lake.
• Beluga Point (Mile 110). From a wonderful vantage point, a viewing scope will assist in viewing wildlife, which may include beluga and killer whales hunting prey. Also: educational displays about whales, tides and the body of water.
• Windy Point (Mile 106). This is the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of Dall sheep perched high up on rocky ledges.
• Indian Valley Mine (Mile 104). This mine, founded in 1910, is rich with history and lore. At nearby Indian Valley meats, the kids can visit a petting zoo and see unusual birds.
• Bird Creek and Bird Ridge Trail (Mile 102). The trail climbs half a mile in a hike that's less than a mile long, but hiking up a few hundred feet still provides stunning views of Turnagain Arm.
• Bird Point (Mile 99). If you time your visit right, you are in for a special treat. Most people have never heard of a bore tide, and Turnagain Arm and Knik Arm are the only places in the United States where tidal bores occur regularly. A bore tide is a breaking wave up to 6 feet high rushing in at speeds up to 15 mph with an incoming tide. At times, a wall of water stretches from one side of Turnagain Arm to the other. A tide table is key to catching a bore tide along Turnagain Arm. First, identify days with large negative values for low tide. Second, find a good vantage point along the Seward Highway, from McHugh Creek to Girdwood. After a low tide in Anchorage, the bore tide should reach Bird Point 2 1/4 hours later. Get to your vantage point at least 30 minutes before the tide should arrive. Wind and tidal range cause variations in time.
• Girdwood Turnoff (Mile 90). You've almost arrived at the historical mining camp of Girdwood, which is now a resort destination and host to Alyeska Ski Resort.
