Alaska Adventure: Valdez Alaska

Took the time to drive to Valdez this weekend. We have been there in the summer, but never a winter visit. I noticed that Valdez had 92 inches of snow on the ground and over 424 inches so far this year. The record for Valdez is 550.7 inches of snow in one season. The season average is 276.6 inches, so we had to check it out. Valdez known for being the end of the oil pipeline that comes from the North Slope (Prudhoe Bay/Deadhorse) and also holds the record for the snowiest sea level town getting on average 276.6 inches a season. Valdez is located about 129 miles east of Anchorage with a population of around 4000.

In March of 1964 Valdez was hit with the largest earthquake in North America. The earthquake shook for 5 minutes and damaged streets and buildings and triggered a huge slide of earth and rocks into Valdez Bay; this sent waves into the city which caused even more damage. The entire city was rebuilt in a new location shortly after the earthquake. They have a marker of where the old city used to be and you can still see some of the old foundations that were not washed away. It gives a rather awe inspired view of the power of an earthquake.

This town is really a fishing town and they have great fishing charters at a pretty reasonable price. The only draw back is if you have a weak stomach like my wife, know that they do not bring you back in if you get sea sick, so take your dramamine and you will be fine. They have some great fishing derbies and the salmon and halibut fishing can't be beat. If whale watching and seeing wildlife is more your style then the charters to see whales and sea life are also pretty reasonable. They also offer heli-skiing which is a pretty awesome adventure for those who enjoy great powder in the back country on snow that is any skier or boarders dream.

We left early Saturday morning from our house in Palmer so we could stop and watch the Valdez Mayors Cup. It's a 200 mile cross country snow machine race. The Roads were good until we reached Thompson Pass which is a 2800 foot pass in the Chugach Mountains with the only road access to Valdez. Now 2800 foot doesn't sound all that impressive for someone like me being from the Idaho and Montana area, but it can have blizzard conditions almost all winter long.

This was our view heading over the pass.

Notice the speed limit sign on the right. (You may have to click on the picture to zoom in)

After making it down the pass we drove through Keystone canyon which was very beautiful in the summer time with Bridal Falls and Horse Tails falls. The winter drive was no different. The falls were all frozen and even got to spend some time watching some ice climbers on Bridal Falls. Below are the summer pictures of each and then a winter picture.

Horse Tail Falls Summer and winter.

Here are a couple more pictures taken in the Keystone canyon area. The rock wall with all of the ice coating on it was spectacular and couldn't be caught with the camera.