People approach Portage Glacier Tuesday, April 12, 2022 on Portage Lake. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Dozens of people on skis, fat bikes and on foot crossed Portage Lake to the Portage Glacier on Tuesday as temperatures hovered around 40 degrees.
The snow on top of the ice covered lake was starting to soften, but a hard base meant the roughly 6 mile round trip from the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center was doable for many.
A motorcyclist passes avalanche debris on Portage Lake on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Skiers and cyclists make their way along Portage Lake on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Portage Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in south-central Alaska, about an hour’s drive southeast of Anchorage, and it receives visitors year-round.
The lake and glacier are within the Chugach National Forest, but the lake is not regularly patrolled by rangers and ice conditions are not monitored. Visitors should therefore exercise caution when venturing onto the lake, particularly in the spring when conditions can change rapidly.
The glacier has retreated about 3 miles over the past century, but remains active and steadily calf, sending waves rippling across the ice, so caution is advised when approaching the face.
People approach the Portage Glacier Tuesday, April 12, 2022 on Portage Lake. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Portage Glacier is seen on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Two people look at the face of the Portage Glacier Tuesday, April 12, 2022 on Portage Lake. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
A skier and dogs pass avalanche debris at the edge of Portage Lake on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Portage Glacier is seen on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Portage Glacier is seen on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Portage Glacier is seen on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Portage Glacier is seen on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
Portage Glacier is seen on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)
A biker looks at avalanche debris as it passes over Portage Lake on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Loren Holmes/DNA)