Alaska 2011 - Tok, Valdez, to Whittier, AK

Alaska 2011 – Tok, to Valdez, to Whittier, AK

We head south from Tok, AK with the intention of staying at Blueberry Lake campground which is at the top of Thompson Pass on your way to Valdez. The weather was terrible so we decided to continue on to Valdez and spend a couple of days.

Valdez was founded in 1899 when gold seekers built a tent city at the base of the Valdez Glacier. They crossed the glacier into the interior of Alaska to seek their riches. In 1900 they laid a telegraph line between Washington and Alaska, bypassing Canada for the first time. In 1964, the original town of Valdez was completely wiped out with the 9.2 earthquake and a huge tidal wave. In 1967, the town was condemned and moved to its present location.

Today Valdez, hosts premier salmon and halibut fishing, winter activities, and serves the Valdez Marine Terminal, which is the southernmost end of the 800-mile Alaska Pipeline. The oil spill of 1989 caused an influx of people to Valdez to help with the clean up. During this time new buildings were built, of which the command center is now a big hotel. Valdez, Alaska has overcome many major hardships and is a constant reminder of its history.

Whittier, Alaska is located on a ice-free arm of Prince William Sound. During World War II, the U.S. Army constructed a port and rail road terminal. At the time Seward, Alaska was the major supply port for the military. It was feared that the Japanese would bomb Seward and wipe out the military supply line. A “secret port” was established at Whittier because of the constant low cloud cover and ice-free port. Two large buildings dominate the skyline – the 14 story Begich Towers, which houses the entire permanent community of the town. The Buckner Building, once the largest building in Alaska, has been abandoned. Today, the community is an important recreational center, industrial, and cruise ship port.

To drive to or from from Whittier, you must drive through the 2.5 mile Anton Anderson Memorial tunnel. This was the World War II-era tunnel used for supplies and was transformed into the longest vehicle/railroad tunnel in North America in 2000.

There are two slideshows for you to see. The first is about the community of Valdez and our ferry ride to Whittier. The second is about our 26-glacier cruise in Prince William Sound and the abundant wildlife. Hope you enjoy them both.

CLICK HERE to watch the Valdez, AK and Aurora Ferry ride.

CLICK HERE to watch the 26-Glacier Cruise and wildlife pictures.