Valdez Glacier was extensively used during the Gold Rush days of the late 1800's, as an All-American route to the gold fields of interior Alaska. Many facinating stories have been told about the people who weathered the hardships of early glacial travel while searching for their fortune in the untamed wilderness of Alaska, located in the Chugach Mountains near Valdez.

Today the glacier lies almost forgotten except for a few brave souls who use this glacier in the winter time for snowmobiling and another select few who use the calm glacial lake to start their white water adventure down the glacier stream in the summer.

After many exploratory trips in 2007 we made the decision to offer a Valdez Glacier Kayaking and Hiking day trip.This trip starts in Valdez  at Anadyr Adventure's office. After a short kayaking lesson and safety talk our guides will transport you by van to the glacial lake where we will kayak safely in inflatable double kayaks between large icebergs, into ice caves (when safe), then to the face of the glacier where we start our hike on the glacier enjoying expansive views, crossing crevasses safely, and passing glacial streams which have cut deep ravines in the ice and forming shimmering sky blue pools on the glacier.

Our experienced and knowledgeable guides will conduct interpretive glaciology discussions as well as share some tales of the early miners and fortune seekers who traversed the glacier during the Valdez Gold Rush of 1889.

No experience is necessary. We provide expert guides and all the gear necessary to safely explore the glacier. Dress in layers, bring comfortable hiking shoes, rain gear, lunch, water, and a camera.

  • Guest to guide ratio is small (6 to 1)
  • Minimum number of participants 2
  • Departure dates are daily May 15 to Sep 15
  • Total tour time 5 to 6 hours
  • $110/person

For more pictures of this trip see "Hike-Kayak" in our photo gallery.