We will be arriving in Valdez late June/July and wish to take the ferry to Cordova. Today's schedule looks like we could go to Cordova on Monday, July 5 and return to Valdez on Wednesday, July 7 Can we make reservations when we arrive in Valdez or should we book in advance the ferry to and from Cordova?
Posted by David Taylor on March 30, 2010 at 12:15 AM
Depends on if you are walking on or driving a car onboard. I THINK you SHOULDN'T have any problems getting a passenger ticket or two the day of/or evening before your ferry ride. But if you are planning on taking a vehicle, I'd definitely book the vehicle spot. Keep in mind, most routes will offer "driver goes free", and this MIGHT only be available if you book in advance online. I'd check directly with the AK Ferry system though, they'll have the best/latest info. Have a great trip - Cordova is an AMAZING location. Hope this helps.
It does help, as we plan to leave our 5th wheel in Valdez and drive our truck onto the ferry. Your right about the "driver goes free" - it is on the ferry website...I'll just have to make sure I get the discount when I book.
Sounds like Cordova might warrant several days...?? The ferry gets there late on Monday and returns early Wednesday morning. That leaves us only 1 day there.
Thanks, again!
Posted by David Taylor on March 31, 2010 at 12:28 AM
I'd recommend extending your trip in Cordova, if at all possible. Child's Glacier (and the drive out to it) warrants a full day. The drive on the Copper River Highway has lots of ops. The Sheridan Glacier is along the way (although the road is poorly marked - if at all), and is an easy hike from the "parking lot" at the end of the road. I have seen bear out there almost every hike to or from the Sheridan Glacier, so I would recommend packing bear spray as a precaution. I've never needed to use it, but has been proven effective if used correctly. Watch for bear scat (it's almost everywhere). In the summer months (it was pretty good in June), the Sheridan Glacier has large sections of lupine along the glacial lake shoreline and can make for incredible comps. BUT, the mosquitos can be horrible - I would recommend considering a head net to keep them at bay. If you use bug spray, avoid the high deet content ones, they will melt rubber and plastic on your camera/lenses. There are also nice board walks in the delta for bird viewing, although the best time is in early May during the shorebird migration. I did see dozens of trumpeter swans last June, and hundreds of Canada geese, dozens of bald eagles, and hawks. The Copper River Hwy also has moose and black bear. But the "highway" in the title should be taken very lightly, it is gravel and can be rough, so take your time and enjoy the sights.
Also in Cordova, check out Eyak Lake & Power Creek. The Haystacks Trail (trailhead on the right side of the Copper River Hwy on your way to the Childs Glacier) is an easy hike through very interesting forest landscapes.
I would definitely leave plenty of time for the Child's Glacier though - it's an amazing location with unobstructed viewing from less than .2 miles from the calving face of the glacier. The Copper River separates you from the face, but also undercuts the calving face and in early summer increases the calving activity. There are 2 nice fire pits if you bring wood and a few grilling stations in the covered pavilion. It's a great location - one of my favorites. I'm going back in June myself & am very much looking forward to it.
Wow! This is just the kind of info I need! Since we are driving 6,0000+ miles to get there....we really want to make the most of our time there! In fact, if June is much better than July, I can rearrange our itinerary to get there a week or so earlier.
I have purchased head nets and have heard that Ultrathon is one of the best DEET products as it is waterproof. We have also treated our clothing with Permithrin in the past. I've read about bear spray on the internet. What about UDAP brand?
We will have our Springer Spaniel dog with us - do you recommend NOT taking him on hikes? We do keep him on leash...
Also, where do you stay at night? Camp out or ???? We were going to leave our 35' 5th wheel in Valdez, even though we would still have to pay for it each night. So inexpensive lodging would be our desire in Cordova or we can tent camp.
I just read your trip description. Sure wish we could join you for the Cordova section...but the marine hwy schedule from Valdez doesn't match up. We will probably be a week or two behind you. Do you know of any local guide that might be willing to share a day or two with us at a reasonable price?
Thanks so VERY much!
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on March 31, 2010 at 11:56 AM
HI Karen,
I won't repeat was Dave wrote, but the Sheridan and Child's Glaciers are wonderful photo opportunities. The Copper River Highway is a wonderful drive - lots of bears, swans and other wildlife. Make sure you have a good spare - I have had more flat tires on that road then on any road in Alaska / Canada or Lower 48!
Camping out at Child's Glacier is a treat as you can hear the glacier calve all through out the night! You could bring your 5th wheel, but as someone who owns one, I would dread loading and unloading it on the ferry.
If I'm not camping I stay at the Reluctant Fisherman. It is an older place, but some of the rooms have been remodeled and the views are wonderful! I know others who have stayed at the Orca Adventure Lodge and enjoyed it.
As far as timing goes - you will find more fields of lupine if you move your trip up into June, bet the Child's Glacier won't be nearly as active with calving, so it is a trade off. Can't go wrong with either date.
Don't know how I'm getting a double post each time...sorry!
Thank you, Ron!
The Child's campground is totally booked in June - but totally open in July...???? We have a tent and could camp or sleep in the truck, although hubby is not to keen on that option! LOL!
I've sent an email to Reluctant Fisherman askiing about the dog...
Looks like Cordova is fast becoming a key destination! Thanks so much! We definitely want to see places special to the "locals" and avoid most of the cruise line places.
Sounds like photo op overload! I have visions of me hiking with 3 sherpas behind me with my D300, 12-24, 24-70, 70-200, 200-400, 105 micro, IR camera, tripod, gimbal..... of yeah, bear spray, head net, ....... LOL!!!
Posted by Ron Niebrugge on March 31, 2010 at 2:36 PM
I know if I have refreshed a page I posted to that I will end up with double posts.
Surprised to hear the campground is booked in June and not July - maybe a group? The campground is new, but even the old one was never full.
I don't think Cordova is too popular yet, there are just very few visitor services over there. Hopefully it doesn't get too popular!
There is conflicting information on line between the info site for the campground and the reservation site. The campground site says it opens June 10....but the reservation site says it opens July 1.
Discussion
8 repliesIt does help, as we plan to leave our 5th wheel in Valdez and drive our truck onto the ferry. Your right about the "driver goes free" - it is on the ferry website...I'll just have to make sure I get the discount when I book.
Sounds like Cordova might warrant several days...?? The ferry gets there late on Monday and returns early Wednesday morning. That leaves us only 1 day there.
Thanks, again!
Also in Cordova, check out Eyak Lake & Power Creek. The Haystacks Trail (trailhead on the right side of the Copper River Hwy on your way to the Childs Glacier) is an easy hike through very interesting forest landscapes.
I would definitely leave plenty of time for the Child's Glacier though - it's an amazing location with unobstructed viewing from less than .2 miles from the calving face of the glacier. The Copper River separates you from the face, but also undercuts the calving face and in early summer increases the calving activity. There are 2 nice fire pits if you bring wood and a few grilling stations in the covered pavilion. It's a great location - one of my favorites. I'm going back in June myself & am very much looking forward to it.
I have purchased head nets and have heard that Ultrathon is one of the best DEET products as it is waterproof. We have also treated our clothing with Permithrin in the past. I've read about bear spray on the internet. What about UDAP brand?
We will have our Springer Spaniel dog with us - do you recommend NOT taking him on hikes? We do keep him on leash...
Also, where do you stay at night? Camp out or ???? We were going to leave our 35' 5th wheel in Valdez, even though we would still have to pay for it each night. So inexpensive lodging would be our desire in Cordova or we can tent camp.
I just read your trip description. Sure wish we could join you for the Cordova section...but the marine hwy schedule from Valdez doesn't match up. We will probably be a week or two behind you. Do you know of any local guide that might be willing to share a day or two with us at a reasonable price?
Thanks so VERY much!
I won't repeat was Dave wrote, but the Sheridan and Child's Glaciers are wonderful photo opportunities. The Copper River Highway is a wonderful drive - lots of bears, swans and other wildlife. Make sure you have a good spare - I have had more flat tires on that road then on any road in Alaska / Canada or Lower 48!
Camping out at Child's Glacier is a treat as you can hear the glacier calve all through out the night! You could bring your 5th wheel, but as someone who owns one, I would dread loading and unloading it on the ferry.
If I'm not camping I stay at the Reluctant Fisherman. It is an older place, but some of the rooms have been remodeled and the views are wonderful! I know others who have stayed at the Orca Adventure Lodge and enjoyed it.
As far as timing goes - you will find more fields of lupine if you move your trip up into June, bet the Child's Glacier won't be nearly as active with calving, so it is a trade off. Can't go wrong with either date.
Thank you, Ron!
The Child's campground is totally booked in June - but totally open in July...???? We have a tent and could camp or sleep in the truck, although hubby is not to keen on that option! LOL!
I've sent an email to Reluctant Fisherman askiing about the dog...
Looks like Cordova is fast becoming a key destination! Thanks so much! We definitely want to see places special to the "locals" and avoid most of the cruise line places.
Sounds like photo op overload! I have visions of me hiking with 3 sherpas behind me with my D300, 12-24, 24-70, 70-200, 200-400, 105 micro, IR camera, tripod, gimbal..... of yeah, bear spray, head net, ....... LOL!!!
Surprised to hear the campground is booked in June and not July - maybe a group? The campground is new, but even the old one was never full.
I don't think Cordova is too popular yet, there are just very few visitor services over there. Hopefully it doesn't get too popular!
Sounds like you have the gear you need!
There is conflicting information on line between the info site for the campground and the reservation site. The campground site says it opens June 10....but the reservation site says it opens July 1.
They are going to sort it out.