Most of the terrain above the highway lies within the Chugach State Park and forest. Taking the trip during the longer summer days provides much more daylight for exploration and sidetrips. This is great terrain for cliff climbing around the Turnagain Arm and for seeing the more than fifty glaciers that dot the landscape.
| Begin your journey by driving south from Anchorage, with the Chugach Mountains on your left and running waterfalls and Dall sheep, and the cliff drop offs on your right that descend into the waters of Turnagain Arm where you are apt to see white beluga whales. The route ascends 1,000 feet above sea level to an alpine meadow that quickly descends again to sea level where you will fjords along coast. |
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Some of the highlights of this scenic drive are the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge at Potter Marsh, a 2,300-acre wetland with interpretive displays of animal and plant life make this a favorite spot for bird watching.
Continue south and head for Beluga Point where you are apt to see beluga whales with a backdrop beautiful mountains.
Continue on and take the Alyeska Highway to Girdwood and to Crow Creek Gold Mine, an 1888 gold mining camp listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Girdwood is also home to Alyeska Resort. There are plenty of activities to stop. Have lunch, take a walk along the boardwalk with shops, or for more activities such as flight seeing, dog sledding, paragliding, or take the tram up to the top of Mount Alyeska for dramatic views of Turnagain Arm.
Back on the Seward Highway, continue south and stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you can drive-through and see wildlife such as bear, elk, moose, and buffalo.
The remaining route from Girdwood to Seward takes you through the Chugach National Forest, where you will experience an awesome display of diverse landscape and wildlife. |
