Valdez, Landscape, Sea and Animals

On Sunday we set off early to look for animals on the McCarthy Rd. Except for rabbits and squirrels hopping across the road in a suicidal attempt to get as close as possible to Verny, no luck 🧐

After our coffee stop in Chitina, we check out fishing wheels on the Copper River and drive through the beautiful landscape of the Chugach Mountains on Thompson Pass at 2676 ft. On the descent, we notice photographers on the side of the road, we make a stop, grab our cameras and capture our second female elk peacefully eating in a pond.

Before Valdez, thanks to our travel bible 'Mailpost', we turn onto Dayville Rd towards the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal and watch sea lions, fishermen, and bald eagles fishing or devouring pink salmon as they make their way to the hatchery, their birthplace. Apparently, the spectacle is even more impressive at low tide. So we find a camping spot at Allison Point and return after 10 PM. Due to the ebb tide, the pink salmon concentrate in a much smaller area with less depth. An incredible hustle and bustle (almost like triathletes at the swim start).

The next morning we spend doing maintenance, planning, and organizing for the next days. This night we spend quietly (we think...) by the sea, but since Tuesday and Wednesday are the only two days of the year when the 250 licensed fishing operations in Prince William Sound are allowed to fish for salmon, hell breaks loose before 6:00 AM! Good to know...

On Tuesday, we take a glacier and wildlife cruise from Valdez to Meares Glacier. Even leaving the harbor is challenging as everyone who is allowed has nets set out in Port Valdez and cute sea otters chilling in groups in the water.

Very early on, we spot a group of 5 orcas passing through Prince William Sound. At the glacier, we saw harbor seals on the ice floes in front of the impressive glacier front. On the way back, in bright sunshine, we encounter a young humpback whale, many sea lions, puffins, cormorants, and even more otters. The female captain rounded off the almost 9-hour trip with extremely interesting details and background information. An amazing excursion!

After a cool night at Valdez Glacier, we drive to Palmer via the spectacular Glenn Hwy with a stop at the Musk Ox Farm.