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piers, the restored crossing benefited residents and
visitors who could then further explore the beauty and
majesty of this scenic location.
The Forest Service maintains a series of trails for
hiking through the varied habitats, from trails leading
to the Sheridan Glacier, one of the few glaciers that you
can actually hike on, to McKinley Lake for fall berry
picking and salmon fishing, or to Crater Lake for a
mountaintop view of Prince William Sound to the west
and the Copper River Delta to the east.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Cordova Walking
Tour, prepared by the Cordova Historical Society,
which points out historic structures throughout the
town. Observe the life of the Cordova fishermen as you
tour the harbor area and watch the process involved in
delivering the bounty of the sea from the boat to your
table. Cordova also offers cross country and downhill
skiing, sea kayaking, canoeing, ice skating, hunting, Whittier Tunnel
photo by:
flight seeing, birding, and mountain biking. VC TRAVEL GUIDE
View one of only five complete killer whale skeletons
in the world at the Ilanka Cultural Center. In a twist of
fate, a whale named Eyak died on the shore of Hartney every day and invites the public to view a tribute to
Bay on July 11, 2000 just a few miles from Cordova. Alaska’s legends.
Members of the Native Village of Eyak and the Prince Whittier offers public and RV campgrounds, picnic
William Sound Science Center began a partnership to areas, groceries/fishing supplies, motels, laundromat,
resurrect Eyak (or the skeleton at least) in the name of gasoline, restaurants, and gift shops. Visitors enjoy
science. Dozens of volunteers worked on the project the hiking, berry picking, bird and wildlife watching.
and it is now complete. Don’t miss seeing this amazing Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel
representation of marine mammal life. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel opened to
Accommodations include a wide choice of hotels, highway traffic in June of 2000 and for the first time,
motels and B&Bs. Restaurants offer savory local both automobile and trains traveled through this 2.5-
cuisine like Copper River salmon, halibut, and other mile tunnel to Whittier. Opening the tunnel fulfilled
Alaska’s long held vision of better access to Whittier
and beautiful Prince William Sound.
ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY The renovation of the Anton Anderson Memorial
Tunnel was a landmark effort. It is the longest
Whittier highway tunnel and the longest combined rail-
Location: Access by rail, sea, air or by the Portage highway use tunnel in North America. It is the first
Glacier Highway; 45 road miles from Anchorage; tunnel in the United States to use both jet and portal
12 rail miles from Portage; Alaska Marine Highway fans in its ventilation system and the first tunnel with Alaska. The U.S. Forest Service on board provides a
“Fast Ferry” service between Valdez, Cordova and a computerized traffic-control system to regulate both narration on the sight. Columbia Glacier’s face rises
Whittier. Population: 222. Visitor Information: rail and highway traffic. In addition, the tunnel is 250 feet from the sea and spans three miles across the
City of Whittier; Phone (907) 472-2327. designed to operate in temperatures down to -40˚ F bay. This river of ice flows to the sea from the Chugach
and in winds up to 150 mph. Mountains and blankets an area over 400 square miles.
The city of Whittier, fondly referred to as “the Because the tunnel that accommodates both Glaciers are often a deep blue color because as
strangest town in Alaska,” is an historical landmark vehicles and trains is one way, vehicles have to wait sunlight passes through the ice, it’s broken up into its
established by the US Army during World War II. their turn to go through. Much like the Alaska Marine many inherent colors and energy wavelengths. Red and
The Whittier railroad to Portage was completed in Highway System, a staging area is used at both ends yellow have very little energy and the thick ice soaks
1943 and became the primary debarkation point for of the tunnel for vehicles to line up for the next change them up readily. The blue light has enough extra energy
cargo, troops and families of the Alaska Command. of directions. In general, only a 15-minute period is to escape from the ice crystals without being absorbed.
The military remained active in the area until 1960 required. Times noted on the schedule indicate when Some glaciers don’t look blue. If there are a lot of air
at which time the total population was 1,200. Today, vehicles will be released from a particular staging bubbles inside the ice, the sunlight isn’t soaked up, but
fewer than 300 people reside in the town, supporting area. reflected back to our eyes. Or if the light can pass through
the Alaska State Ferry, Alaska Hydro Train, tank Vehicle Size Limitations: Ensuring the safety the ice without all the rainbow colors being scattered, the
farm, small boat harbor, and tourism. of tunnel users is the top priority. To that end, the ice will look white. Glaciers often pick up soil, rocks,
Whittier can be accessed on the Alaska Marine size of vehicles that can pass through the tunnel is snow, and dirt that mix with the ice, which can then take
Highway from Valdez, with Princess Tours limited. Under normal operations, the following are on a dirty gray color.
Motorcoach from Anchorage or by driving the the maximum of vehicles allowed to use the tunnel:
Portage Glacier Highway. The town also has an 1100- • Maximum of 10 feet wide (excluding mirrors) Prince William Sound
foot gravel airstrip and 350-slip small boat harbor. • Maximum of 14 feet high Prince William Sound, named by Captain James
Wildlife viewing is an attraction which includes • Maximum of 75 feet long Cook to honor the third son of King George III, is home
many varieties of birds, sea otters, seals, whales, sea The tunnel has daily operating hours and a toll to temperate old growth rain forest, unique geology and
lions, porpoises, mountain goats, deer, and bear. The fee is charged. The 2004 opening of the tunnel to geography, an incredible wealth of marine and land
area is a photographer’s paradise offering stunning pedestrian traffic attracted nearly 500 people! wildlife, and a rich and varied history.
views of glaciers and waterfalls. Kayak rentals and For information on hours and restrictions, call Long exploited for its resources, the Sound still
sightseeing cruises through Prince William Sound Tunnel Information at (907) 566-2244 in Anchorage offers a pristine vision of seemingly untouched beauty.
are available in Whittier. Charter boat operators and or toll free (877) 611-2586, or listen to AM 530 radio The generally wet climate and heavy snows of winter
private fishing boats can be located at the small boat in Whittier or AM 1610 in Portage. Website: www. maintain the forest and with its significant tides, the
harbor. dot.state.ak.us/whittiertunnel. shores are continually cleansed. Any overt and lingering
The Prince William Sound Museum opened in
2005 with exhibits showcasing the history of Whittier, Columbia Glacier signs of the devastating Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989
will only be seen by an experienced eye. Recreationists
Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, Alaska Railroad, Travel the Alaska Marine Highway System from and naturalists with varied interests can explore the
Alaska Steamship Company, World War II, and the Valdez to Whittier and you will experience the Columbia more than 3,500 miles of coastline on their own or by
Cold War in Alaska. Located in the Anchor Store Glacier enroute. The vessel will slow down so you can get tour. Whittier, Cordova and Valdez are served by Alaska
Building in downtown Whittier, the Museum is open a long look at the largest tidewater glacier in Southcentral Marine’s Fast Ferry.
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