Page 270 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

of rugged coastline with some of the Ferry Alaska offers ferry service from HATCHER PASS is the scenic location of
most abundant marine wildlife in the Valdez to Whittier for you and your car or Independence Mine Historical State Park,
area. It is home to numerous whales RV. Some ferries offer breakfast on board a fascinating relic from bygone gold days
including humpback and killer whales, and there is nothing like drinking a hot with tours and alpine hiking trails.
as well as sea lions, harbor seals and cup of coffee while you gaze out over
sea otters. Eagles abound in Valdez picturesque vistas. From Whittier take About half an hour south of Glennallen
before the salmon runs arrive and can the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel at Mile 82.6 on Richardson Highway #4,
be seen flying overhead. Take a cruise back to Anchorage, a total distance of 58 the paved Edgerton Highway #10 skirts
through Prince William Sound with Stan miles north on Seward Highway #1. The the world-famous Copper River for 33
Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises tunnel is 2.5 miles long and was designed miles through Kenny Lake to the small
or Lulu Belle Glacier Wildlife Cruise. to handle the area’s 40 degree below town of CHITINA, where services, food,
Both offer expanded tour opportunities zero weather and 150 miles per hour accommodations and the Wrangell-St
with experienced local guides. The winds. Traffic in the tunnel is one-way Elias National Park ranger station can be
Lulu Belle also offers a Sunday and shared by both cars and trains. From found. From there, the greatly improved
morning non-denominational service Whittier, cars leave on the hour from 5:30 but still primitive McCarthy Road to the
from June through August, to worship a.m. to 10:30 p.m. when the tunnel closes preserved historical mining town of
while you cruise the Sound. Several for the evening. MCCARTHY requires slow and attentive
accommodations we recommend in driving and will take 2 to 3 hours to travel
Valdez include Eagle’s Rest RV Park & More to See and Do its 61-mile length. The roadway lies
Cabins, Glacier Hotel, Downtown B&B Along Itinerary #2 atop the old CR&NW Railroad route to
Inn, and Valdez KOA. Anchorage, Palmer, Glennallen, the Kennecott Mines, which produced
Valdez, Whittier over half a million tons of refined copper
before shutting down operations in
While our second driving itinerary 1938. Considered one of Alaska’s most
winds through jaw-dropping scenery en scenic backcountry drives, McCarthy
route to the unforgettable destination Road passes through prime fishing and
of Valdez, there are highlights along wildlife habitat. Much of McCarthy has
the way that will especially appeal to been lovingly restored to its former
mining history buffs. About 20 miles glory and offers lodge, hotel and other
north out of Palmer on Fishhook-Willow accommodations, as well as award-
Road off Glenn Highway 1, beautiful winning culinary dining and a rockin’
saloon.

268 Drive Alaska