Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour
The Glacier Blue Kayak Morning Tour at Spencer Glacier is the most serene & consistently magnificent time to paddle.
The Glacier Blue Kayak Morning Tour at Spencer Glacier is the most serene & consistently magnificent time to paddle. Kayak around icebergs and up close to the Spencer Glacier terminus face. Hike onto the moraine and get up close to the blue wall. Enjoy two Alaska Railroad Trains: The Coastal Classic & the Glacier Discovery Train, traveling through the most scenic Grandview & Tunnels sections of the AK Railroad.
- Iceberg Kayak on Spencer Glacier Lake — 4-Mile Kayak Paddle
- Short Hike at Spencer Moraine
- Scenic Train Ride to Grandview through the Upper Placer River Gorge Canyon — The Most Scenic Section of the AK Railroad
A perfect paddle for beginners or expert paddlers. There is no tidal influence at Spencer Lake, and the morning tends to be the best time — calm, serene, and beautiful. Please let us know your experience level so that we can tailor your Alaskan glacier kayak tour to your party’s ability & ambition. A minimum of 2 guests is required to book.
This trip is available departing from Anchorage or Girdwood on the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic Train.
Tour Details
- A catered sack lunch is provided (sandwich, fruit, dessert & bottled water). Veggie or other dietary requests are welcome; please notify us ahead of time.
- Splash tops, spray skirts & Personal Flotation Devices (life vests) are provided for all iceberg kayak tours.
- Spencer Lake Distances: The paddle across the lake is approximately 2 miles one way. It takes anywhere between 20 minutes (with calm, perfect weather) to 1 hour to paddle across the lake.
- Minimum age for Kayak Tours is 8 years old. All children participate in tandem kayaks with a parent or the most experienced paddler in the group. Groups with children under 8 may utilize a raft instead of kayaks — please reach out directly if you have young children.
- Maximum weight for kayaks is 240 lbs; maximum height is 6’3″. A raft lake tour can be provided for guests who don’t meet weight & height restrictions. Please let us know as soon as possible if you think you may opt for a raft instead of a kayak. Guide decisions are ultimately made with your safety as the utmost priority.
- There are restrooms on the train and at the Spencer Whistle Stop. No restrooms once on the river — backcountry options only.
- All guests are required to sign a release of liability.
Typical Schedule
- 6:45 AM – Coastal Classic Departs Anchorage (Breakfast & coffee available on the train — please let the onboard supervisor know you will be getting off at Spencer Glacier and need to eat early)
- 7:30 AM – If departing from Girdwood, meet your guides at the Chugach Adventures’ Office at 1553 Alyeska Highway, Girdwood, AK 99587
- 8:05 AM – Coastal Classic Departs Girdwood (Chugach Adventures’ Kayak Guides board the train at this location)
- 9:00 AM – Arrival at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop
- 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Iceberg Kayak on Spencer Glacier Lake; 4-Mile Kayak Paddle. Short Hike at Spencer Moraine.
- 1:00 – 1:30 PM – Lunch
- 2:00 – 5:00 PM – Scenic Train Ride to Grandview through the Upper Placer River Gorge Canyon — The Most Scenic Section of the AK Railroad
- 5:15 PM – Arrive in Portage and board the motorcoach back to Anchorage, or take Chugach Adventures’ Van Shuttle back to Girdwood
- 5:45 PM – Return arrival to Girdwood by Chugach Adventures’ Van Shuttle
- 6:45 PM – Arrive in Anchorage by Motorcoach Bus
What to Bring
- Warm clothes and layers
- Warm socks
- Camera (note: we cannot guarantee it won’t get wet)
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made 10 days or more in advance are 90% refundable. Cancellations within 10 days are nonrefundable.
AK Railroad Cancellation Policy & Change Fee: All paid bookings are subject to a 10% change fee for the Railroad portion of the trip cost if a date change is requested within 30 days.
“This is one of my favorite trips. Mornings spent kayaking out on Spencer Lake are like no other time of day; the water is glass, the air is calm, and the ice is a brilliant blue in the early light. This trip allows time to really explore the Spencer Valley, and small groups mean that as a guide, I am able to connect more with each guest.”
– Emily Decker, Chugach Adventures Lead Guide, Anchorage, AK
