Hike to Byron Glacier

 Byron Glacier from Portage Lake

On our first full day at Alaska, one of the first places we stopped for sightseeing was Portage Lake. Actually, we did not stay really long at Portage Lake, we simply chose it to be our waiting area while waiting for the Whittier tunnel to open that will bring us to the port of Whittier for our Prince William Sound Glacier Day Cruise. 

 Excitement at Portage Lake

Across the Portage Lake is the Byron Glacier. At that time, we never had an up close encounter with a glacier yet, and it seemed everyone was excited in seeing valley glaciers hugging the slopes of the mountains bordering Portage Lake.Two days later after our first encounter with Portage Lake, we went back for a hike to Byron Glacier.

Byron Glacier Trail

Now, Byron Glacier is the easiest trail we hiked in Alaska. It is just one mile one way ( 2 miles round trip) with very little elevation gain. If you look at the above picture, you may think my group were stunned with the beauty of Byron Glacier. Hmmmm, actually,some of us were thinking of just staying in the car for they felt like they have hiked and seen enough! Sadly, the day we took this trail, was after our Harding Icefield hike. So, everyone was riding high with the out of this world excitement and "having landed on the moon" feeling with the Harding Icefield and Exit Glacier. Now, maybe, from afar, they shared the question "another glacier?" or it may be, "nothing can beat Harding Icefield!"

Hiking Trail to Byron Glacier

True, hiking Harding Icefield was the best part of our Alaska Trip for me, but then, there was always that desire to explore, to see more. Am glad everyone agreed to give Byron Glacier a chance.

 In just one mile of very easy hiking, we were rewarded by these sights.

who says Alaska is cold? these skiers were in shorts :)

 There were a lot of skiers and sledders who were enjoying the snow field below Byron Glacier.

 Sledding at Byron Glacier

Byron Glacier Up Close

Byron Glacier Trail is a family friendly trail, that anyone can take. I highly recommend this trail for those who can't take strenuous hikes for various reasons. Beauty that can be easily reached, this may not be our best hike in Alaska over-all, but definitely, this is the best in terms of rewards for such a very short and easy hike!

Trailhead: By Portage Lake on the right side of the road ( just pay attention to signs)- we simply navigated our GPS to Byron Glacier and followed the signs on the road to find the parking for trailhead which was very easy to find.

Mileage: 2 miles round trip, minimal elevation gain. 

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