I love trains, so I was thrilled when Nathan’s family decided to do a family trip to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, a remote wilderness area in the Chugach State Park that is accessible only by train. It took some research and preparation, but I decided we should try to take the dogs along with us. They’ve never flown before, so I figured a brief train ride would be a good introduction to being in a kennel and would get them used to all of the noise and commotion. Plus, I couldn’t imagine leaving them behind on this new and exciting adventure!
The pups did pretty well, for the most part. I did, however, end up sitting in the cargo train with them for much of the trip because Rupal began barking and sounded so distressed. But it turns out that riding in the luggage car with the railroad employees and the local river guides has its perks—I’m sure I had the best view on the train!
We took in the scenery of the wild Alaskan landscape as we rode the train to its last stop, Grandview, which is really nothing more than a small viewing platform surrounded by rugged mountains. We walked around for a few minutes, picked a few blueberries, and then hopped back on the train.
When we got off at the Spencer Glacier Whistlestop, we stashed the dog kennels in the covered gazebo waiting area and began the short 1.3 mile hike to the glacier.
I should note that Nathan’s brother and sister in law have four kids. The two youngest are twin girls whom they adopted last year from China, and are not quite three years old. Needless to say, it was quite a feat to take them on a backpacking trip, even a relatively short one. But they managed just fine! And because the trail was so wide and flat, they were able to bring the two-seated Chariot they use to pull the girls behind their bike. It’s a good reminder that having children doesn’t mean you can’t get out and enjoy the outdoors—it just takes a little extra planning. It also meant his brother had to carry a fair amount of additional camping gear. I’d loaded up my pack with extra weight in preparation for my Glacier Peak climb, so I was in good company!
Because we had taken the train all of the way to Grandview, we were the only ones on the trail when we arrived at the glacier. We stopped to eat our lunch and take a few pictures before making our way up the 1.7 mile trail that takes you along the edge of the glacier. 
Just before reaching the end of the trail, we took a side path that led us to a perfect campsite overlooking the glacier. There were spaces for several tents, as well as a makeshift bench and a fire pit. Nathan and the two boys collected wood while the rest of us made dinner, and we spent the rest of the evening lounging around and playing cards by the fire.
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Nathan and I took the boys on an exploratory mission to the glacier the next morning before we had to hike out to catch the 4:40 train back. It was a brief visit, but I know we’ll be back again soon!
thetraveledtrail 