When youre visiting the matsu valley, checking out the incredible glaciers is a must. Located 45 minutes north of anchorage just 2 miles to the knik glacier camera viewpoint. Military moves cautiously in identifying plane wreckage. Alaska wreckage that of air force c124 globemaster. I have been out by the glacier in earlymid may and the entire area was still frozen. Braun has been traveling to the knik glacier for over 40 years. Surrounded by 10,000 foot 3,048 meters snowcovered peaks, hanging glaciers, and waterfalls, the knik glacier has carved out one of alaskas most spectacular natural amphitheaters. Viewing the knik glacier, dazing into a display of the northern lights in the winter months, and salmon fishing are all highly recommended activities of the area. The knik glacier is located just 50 miles 80 km east of anchorage, alaska on the northern end of the chugach mountains. Take a tour of our aurora gallery and visit our glass studio and take a one hour class to create your own fused glass moose ornament or necklace. Braun kopsack is a lifelong resident of alaska, having grown up in the area and spending as much time as possible outdoors hunting, boating, climbing mountains and snow machining aka. Knik glacier tour 49th state motor tours 49th state motor. Times are tough for the travel community right now.
For over a decade hollywood has been focused in on the knik. A military team dispatched to comb through decadesold aircraft wreckage on alaskas colony glacier returned on tuesday, believing it had. At times, the route is so clearly defined, heading directly for the glacier, we joke about the knik river highway. This hidden gem of the matsu valley is an adventure seekers delight, as youll find everything you dreamed alaska would be wilderness, outdoor recreation opportunities, mountains, glaciers, rivers and wildlife. The knik glacier is located 50 miles north of anchorage. According to dnr, the easements allow continued access on trails to knik glacier, including in two places that cross friday creek, and several site easements for. The thrill of an enclosed airboat ride into the alaskan wilderness coupled with a visit to a massive and majestic force of nature. The knik glacier is located just 50 miles east of anchorage, alaska on the northern end of the chugach mountains. Knik glacier tours palmer 2020 all you need to know. Take in the sights of mount marcus baker, the highest peak in the chugach range as you stand on one of the largest glaciers in south central alaska, at over 25 miles long and more than 5 miles wide. From the wreckage from the wreckage series volume 1. No matter where you live in the world there is a good chance you have already seen the knik glacier. Tom and his assistant runs us up the knik river in his deuce and 12 sp.
Apr 20, 2017 according to dnr, the easements allow continued access on trails to knik glacier, including in two places that cross friday creek, and several site easements for boats to land or atvs to park. Dec 09, 2019 this 22 mile long offroad trail follows the knik river and eventually leads toward a large glacier. Both knik glacier tours and knik river lodge also offer free parking for fat bikers. It is our hope to provide you the experience of a lifetime and the highlight of your alaskan adventure. Return to knik glacier, via hunter creek gypsy by trade. Special places knik glacier adventures on knik glacier standing barefoot atop ice formed from snow that fell more than 100 years ago, he stripped to board shorts while the guide tied a safety cable across his chest. The community is at the head of the knik arm of cook inlet in southcentral alaska, 27 km 17 mi northeast of anchorage. At 28 miles long 45 kilometers and over 5 miles 8 kilometers across, knik glacier is actually a small remnant of a past ice age. The ride to the knik glacier ranks as one of the most scenic rides, anywhere, and it is very accessible. Possibly 2,000 feet 609 meters long and a couple of hundred feet meters wide, dobson said. Oct 05, 2017 explore the knik glacier moraine and lake george at the knik glacier near palmer, alaska. Laura ferguson has created a night experience aurora gallery.
The wreckage of the aircraft, nicknamed old shaky was rediscovered in 2012 60 years after it smashed into knik glacier on its way to a base in anchorage, alaska claiming 52 lives. The aircraft wreckage which was found on a glacier near anchorage earlier this month is believed to be a plane which went missing in the 1950s with more than 50 people on board, military officials said on wednesday. Authorities revealed today the site has been identified after it was discovered on knik glacier near anchorage earlier this month. Born into a norwegianamerican seafaring family in alaska, he began his. Air force plane that crashed on the gauli glacier in 1946 has been salvaged. To the left of the glacier is the gorge where lake george formed when the glacier dammed the river in the past. Braun kopsack is a lifelong resident of alaska, having grown up in the area and spending as much time as possible outdoors hunting. The knik glacier is located 50 miles 80 kilometers north of anchorage. Alaska wreckage that of air force c124 globemaster missing. Another view of a crevasse forming as the winter snow becomes soft in the springtime sun and collapses into the depths of the crevasse.
Glacier wreckage linked to 1952 alaska plane crash that killed 52. The knik glacier is located just 50mi east of anchorage, alaska on the northern end of the. Army garrison fort richardson, and is located in southern alaska approximately 48 miles northeast of anchorage and 24 miles southeast of palmer. At more than,000 feet, marcus baker is well over a mile taller than the top of knik glacier, but the ice is contiguous. Knik glacier is a very large glacier, up to five miles wide and 28 miles long, located east of palmer. Each spring, the water would erode the glacier ice dam and as much as 150 million gallons of water per minute would begin to pour through the gorge, at times forming a wall of water 150 feet high. Has anyone recently kayaked at knik glacier i am looking for somewhere that i can kayak with some icebergs in calm water but not spend a small fortune doing it. During the last few years, some of the wreckage of a u. A glacier landing provides 30minutes of time on the glacier to explore the azure blue melt pools and bizarre ice formations with your pilot guide. Army officials have found what they believe to be the wreckage of a military aircraft and possible bone tissue scattered on a glacier in alaska. Often referred to as alaskas sunny glacier, a unique microclimate or rain shadow has created a truly diverse ecosystem. Officials say that a plane crash discovered earlier in june near alaskas colony glacier is likely an air force c124 globemaster that crashed in the area in 1952, killing all 52 aboard. Investigators comb through old knik glacier plane wreck. Knik glacier feeds the 25mile 40 km long knik river which empties into the knik arm section of cook inlet.
The gripping new thriller that everyone is talking about by morganbentley. Sadly, lael must be back at work by 4pm, so we turn around a few miles short of the glacial lake. Search resumes in alaska for 35 men missing from crashed. A large flat parking spot is available which has plenty of room for large trailers. A seismic profile and offshore drilling in knik arm fig. Please give us a call at 9077455002 for more information and to book. Knik glacier by air, anchorage, alaska usa where in the. Warm weather could cause the ice to deteriorate on the river in the coming weeks, so be aware. Jun 28, 2012 wreckage found on an alaskan glacier is the remains of a missing air force plane that crashed in the 1950s, killing all 52 people on board authorities revealed today the site has been identified. Knik glacier tours is committed to providing you a personalized tour with long time alaskan guides. Knik river public use area division of mining, land, and. Marcus baker, the chugachs highest peak, looms overhead just a few miles away. Melt water on the surface of the glacier mirrors the blue of the glacier ice below. Apr 04, 2014 the ride to the knik glacier ranks as one of the most scenic rides, anywhere, and it is very accessible.
Helicopter flightseeing with glacier landing knik glacier. We would like to recommend and introduce our new friends eric and jenna halfacre. This is our first choice tour for adventurers wanting an amazing and truly alaskan experience. Trails to knik river and glacier will remain open to. The ice field averages over 25 miles 40 km long and over 5 miles 8. This 22 mile long offroad trail follows the knik river and eventually leads toward a large glacier. Knik glacier tour 49th state motor tours 49th state. Air force plane wreckage provides data for glacier. About heads on mount marcus baker, trends w to its terminus near head of knik river, 20 mi. Braun and valeria kopsack are the owners and operators of knik glacier adventures, and have been running tours since 1989, making it the longest running and most experienced tour operation to the knik glacier. Over 28 miles long and 5 miles across this is one of central alaskas greatest rivers of ice. Researchers identify wreckage found on alaskan glacier as. At 25 mile long and over 5 miles across, knik glacier is actually a small remnant of a past ice age. The knik glacier, located on the northern edge of the chugach mountains, is over 28 miles long and 5 miles across, making it one of southcentral alaskas greatest rivers of ice.
Aug 09, 2017 knik glacier is a master sculptor carving valleys and shaping rock into landscapes of exquisite natural beauty. Situated on the northern edge of alaskas chugach mountains, knik glacier is one of the biggest glaciers in south central alaska. The ice field averages over 25 miles long and over 5 miles across, making it one of the largest glaciers in southcentral alaska. The community has developed along the south bank of the knik river, which flows into knik arm, at the southern border of the mat.
The population was 744 at the 2010 census, up from 582 in 2000. Jun 28, 2012 if the wreckage found atop colony glacier, about 45 miles east of anchorage and near the muchlarger knik glacier, is confirmed as being from the 1952 crash, one of alaskas many aviation. Last time we made it about 2 miles shy and i was really excited to play around on the lake. It is an easy ride in winter, but only for a few short weeks or months, usually late in the season. Fattire bikers flock to knik glacier, and locals take note. My first fat bike tour 20 miles to the toe of knik glacier from the old glenn highway bridge, 8. The cable was a precaution against involuntarily muscle seizure. In the alps there are more than 1,200 valley glaciers. Knik river public use area division of mining, land, and water. With a fivemilewide face and daily calving, its an impressive sight.
About halfway between the southern edge of the glacier and the broad, open expanse of the knik river valley to the north is the tongue to which conaway refers. You dont usually get to see icebergs until things start warming up a bit. After about 4 hours of biking on frozen ice and gravel we came upon the terminal moraine of the knik glacier. Mar 30, 2014 at times, the route is so clearly defined, heading directly for the glacier, we joke about the knik river highway. If the wreckage found atop colony glacier, about 45 miles east of anchorage and near the muchlarger knik glacier, is confirmed as being from the 1952 crash, one of alaskas many aviation. Trip to the knik glacier with tacomaworld and 907 yotas. This hidden gem of the matsu valley is an adventure seekers delight, as youll find everything you dreamed alaska would be wilderness, outdoor recreation opportunities, mountains, glaciers, rivers. What type of plane it was, when it crashed and who was on board all remains a mystery. The knik arm is an estuarine fjord occupying the distal southern half of the former matanuskaknik glacier footprint. Knik glacier anchorage, alaska glacier, movie theater.
Glacier reveals wreckage of 1952 plane crash news the. Military personnel from alaska and hawaii are investigating a wrecked plane recently spotted on knik glacier. Trails to knik river and glacier will remain open to public. Before the great earthquake of 1964, knik glacier used to seal off lake george gorge causing lake george to form. After a quick snack, we begin a hurried pedal back to the car. Ill be watching out for more books by robin morganbentley. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. This flightseeing tour is by far the most action packed tour of all the flightseeing tours regal air operates. Operational range assessment program phase i qualitative. Knk communicates with our lab using a radio shot to. Standing barefoot atop ice formed from snow that fell more than 100 years ago, he stripped to board shorts while the guide tied a safety cable across his chest. Its unlikely barretts remains are in the debris near knik glacier his plane is thought to have crashed into mount iliamna.
Knik glacier trail alaska motorcycle and atv trails. Officials say that a plane crash discovered earlier in june near alaskas colony glacier is likely an air force c124 globemaster that crashed in. List of books and articles about glaciers online research. About halfway between the southern edge of the glacier and the broad, open expanse of the knik river valley to. Wreckage found on an alaskan glacier is the remains of a missing air force plane that crashed in the 1950s, killing all 52 people on board. The knik river valley is a scenic, secluded valley nestled up against the chugach mountains. Latest pleistocene advance and collapse of the matanuska. Sudden, rapid movements of glaciers, called glacier surges, have been observed in alaskan and other glaciers, with evidence for such abnormal movements as the crumpled lines of surface debris found on them. Fattire bikers flock to knik glacier, and locals take. Valley, or mountain, glaciers are tongues of moving ice sent out by mountain snowfields following valleys originally formed by streams.
Over the last decades, dozens of military planes have gone missing in the area of knik glacier. It is thought that the relatively sudden movement and melting of glaciers may be indicative of climate warming. There is an eight mile trail at the end of knik river road, but the trail includes water crossings so bring a packraft. Closed for the reason of the 2019 season due to the extreme smoke from the wildfires.
The knik glacier snakes out of the chugach mountains, tumbling into an icebergstudded lake that feeds the knik river. The top of knik glacier is one low point of this icy expanse, and one of the stormiest places in the state. We rented four fatbikes from alaska pacific university, and borrowed three more. Military plane wreck and human bones discovered strewn over.
It is part of the anchorage, alaska metropolitan statistical area. I was pedaling with my head down the the moraine pretty much snuck up on me. The high elevation chugach mountains that form the knik river valley make for a dramatic backdrop to the alluvial gravel bars and winding braids of the knik river. Remnants of 1950s military plane retrieved from knik glacier crash. Knik river trail, knik glacier, jim creek, knik river public use area, rst 17 trail, metal creek, knick river glacier run. Joint prisoners of warmissing in action accounting command jpac at. Compressed, devoid of air bubbles, glacier ice looks blue. Youll clamber aboard the fullyenclosed airboat and be whisked up the river to the. A knik glacier airboat tour is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with a glacier.
Helicopter glacier dogsled tour classic alaska tour on knik. Knik glacier the knik glacier is located just 50 miles 80 km east of anchorage, alaska on the northern end of the chugach mountains. We first rode here in 2012, at the end of a record season of snowfall. Stories from the wreckage and millions of other books are available for amazon. We had a really cold march and lots of snow so the trip was entirely on ice and snow, only patches of.
After a 15minute flight, land on the knik glacier and enjoy approximately 30minutes exploring the azure blue melt pools and bizarre ice formations with your pilot guide. Wreckage found on an alaskan glacier is the remains of a missing air force plane that crashed in the 1950s, killing all 52 people on board authorities. Take in the sights of mount marcus baker, the highest peak in the chugach range as you stand on one of the largest glaciers in south central alaska, at over 25 miles long and. Knik glacier is located on the northern edge of alaskas chugach mountains. Set foot on the spectacular matanuska glacier, visit the impressive knik glacier or take a onceinalifetime flightseeing tour of the glaciers surrounding denali. The training site is comprised of one operational range encompassing 5,820. Knik glacier feeds the 25mile long knik river which empties into the knik arm section of cook inlet. Glaciers are usually found in high altitudes and latitudes. Jun 28, 2012 officials have described the wreckage site as long and linear.