Delta is vying for Alaska’s market share here in Seattle, which means cheaper fares for us! We have wanted to come to Alaska for a long time. Sadly, we were unable to stay at Sasha’s Place this time but next time we will book much further in advance. Chad and I found tickets from Seattle to Anchorage for under $200 for both of us to fly round trip – and we randomly booked a quick two a half day trip up to The Last Frontier. (Bonus, we got upgraded to first class, too!) We fancied a change and flew to Alaska instead of staying in our normal Seattle hotels. Seattle is a beautiful destination but we wanted to pursue a more adventurous holiday. This was our first time to Anchorage, and since we had so little time, we packed as much in as we could. Buckle up, this is going to be a long post (but totally worth it, in my biased opinion). We picked the best 60 hours to visit Alaska. The weather was perfect with highs in the low 80s and lows in the low 60s. Sunrise was about 5:30 a.m. and the sun set around 10:30 p.m. Add an hour on each end for civil twilight, and we had some long days. We took the late plane to Anchorage, landing at 1:00 a.m. We picked up a car from National (the hours vary, but they were open when we got there – so maybe check with them?). I’d highly suggest a car rental, unless you’re doing rail or tours that pick you up from your hotel/rental. Because it’s cruise ship season, hotels are a bit more expensive and the options are limited. Most of the downtown hotels were averaging $350/night and the midtown hotels were not much less expensive at about $280/night. We decided to save a few bucks and Airbnb it. We got a great rate on a 2 bedroom rental, just a few blocks walking distance from downtown Anchorage. Our host was super helpful, and also left us breakfast items so we could cook at home after our late night arrival and a bottle of wine so we could unwind. Bonus, the apartment had a raspberry patch with tons of ripe berries and our host encouraged us to pick the berries, too! After we made breakfast in our rental, we headed south on Seward Highway towards Portage (it took us just about an hour to get to Portage). The drive is beautiful, and Highway 1 has a lot of pull-outs so you can safely take a picture of the beauty that surrounds you. We attempted to make a GoPro video of our drive, but our rental car’s dash wasn’t too susceptible to our GoPro suction, so it’s not as awesome as it could have been. Portage, Alaska Portage Glacier Cruise We wanted to see a glacier, but didn’t want to pay a few hundred bucks or spend the whole day on a boat. At just $39 per person and only an hour long, the Portage Glacier Cruise on the boat, Ptarmigan, was perfect for us. The hour boat ride was narrated on the ride out by a US Forest Ranger and we learned many facts about the region and the glacier. The second half of the boat tour was quiet, with about 30 minutes spent touring the glacier up close for many photo ops. Portage Lake is a relatively new lake that was formed by the melting glacier. The lake temperature is approximately 34 degrees, as sediment left from the glacier floats in the lake and blocks sunlight from entering the lake. This also is why we didn’t see any wildlife on our cruise, as nothing can live in the lake. The tempature on the boat is a bit chilly, and it’s windy, so bring a coat with you. If you do get cold, the Ptarmigan has loaner jackets for you. To get to Portage Glacier Cruise, take the Seward Highway south. Just after milepost 78, turn left on Portage Glacier Road. Go about 5 miles further to a fork, go right and follow signs for the Portage Glacier Day Lodge. Tours leave five times per day, call for availability and save $5 with this coupon.

We couldn’t go to Alaska without seeing a moose and a bear, right? So we back tracked about five miles to milepost 79 and arrived at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

The AWCC is a non-profit committed to preserving Alaska’s wildlife. The over 700 acre center takes in orphaned or displaced animals, provides quality care, and then reintroduces the animal back into its natural habitat. Some animals cannot be reintroduced, and they have a forever home at the center.

We met many new friends on our journey, including Moose, Elk, Wood Bison, Musk Ox, Bears, Reindeer, and so many more. The natural habitats are very large and the backdrop is absolutely stunning. You can walk through the park, drive your own car, or take a guided tour bus. Entrance fees are $12.50 for adults and $9 for seniors/kids/military. Don’t forget to stop and take in the beautiful sites, and look out at the end of Turnagain Arm. Girdwood, Alaska

Heading north on Highway 1 back towards Anchorage, you’ll come up to the town of Girdwood and Alyeska Resort. Turn right on Alyeska Highway, drive a few miles and you’ll see Girdwood.

It was lunch time and we were hungry. Chair 5 has pub food and a lot of beer on tap – something like 60 beers and 40 tequilas. It’d be a great place to stop after a nice hike, too. We did it backward and got lunch and a beer before our hike. Chad got the halibut fish and chips (it was so good!) and I chose the elk burger (also good!). The views from the restaurant are pretty spectacular, too.

I love waterfalls, I always have. I especially love easy hikes to waterfalls so you can see many in a day. The hike to Virgin Creek Falls takes about 10 minutes and is fairly easy. It’s not until you reach the falls that there is a big drop on the trail (maybe a 4 foot drop) but has some rocks to help you get up and down. At the bottom of the trail, at the falls, is a big rock where you can sit for a minute and put your toes in the water.

Getting to Virgin Creek Falls is fairly easy. Just past the town of Girdwood, but before you get to the resort, turn right on Timberline Drive (which eventually turns into a dirt road). Follow it until it ends and park in the turnaround, but don’t block a driveway. You’ll see a small sign at the trail head. Winner Creek Falls and Hand Tram

OK, so this was one of the coolest things we did in Anchorage. The Winner Creek Trail starts at the Aleyska Ski Resort, behind the Tram (you’ll see signs). While the whole trail is well maintained, the first half mile is mostly flat and has a raised boardwalk to keep you out of the mud. The trail is in a lush rainforest and you’ll see many ferns, devil’s club, and mushrooms. The lack of elevation change also makes this a pretty easy trail.

About 1.5 miles in, you’ll get to a fork. Go left for Winner Creek Falls and the hand tram (going right leads you to Upper Winner Creek). Follow the trail for another .75 miles and you’ll arrive at a bridge over Winner Creek Falls. Before you come to the falls, you will come to a wide bridge on your right that leads to another trail. I don’t know where that trail goes (and it’s not well maintained) but crossing the bridge is kind of cool.

And after your done crossing a bridge for no reason, and crossing it back for no reason, walk a bit further to see Winner Creek Falls.

If you look to the other side, you’ll see a nice blue pool of water (which I caught with my GoPro) and maybe even a few people panning for gold.

Now, just about .3 miles further you’ll come up to the hand tram, which connects the trail over the gorge. I can’t do it justice with words, so just watch the video. I will tell you, it’s high up and not for the faint of heart. It was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Also, I should point out, I’m terrified of heights.