Rise & Shine, as the midnight sun never sets! Today experience spectacular views of Hatcher’s Pass and the Independence Gold Mine, built in the early 1900’s. Here try your hand at gold panning. We bring our own gold pans and just have fun trying the “real thing’. This is not a salted trough. On a sunny day, you will be amazed at the “color” in your pan. A park naturalist will share the history of the mine, as well as flora & fauna of the area. Hatcher Pass is a favorite of guests, for its beauty, wildflowers, berries and wildlife and the best photography in later summer! Watch for marmot, ground squirrels and fox that are prolific in this area. A lunch stop will be provided at a local area restaurant.

This afternoon’s adventure will take you aboard an airboat ride to Lake George, the base of Knik Glacier. Lake George, an ice dammed lake was once responsible for floods of cataclysmic proportions. Knik Glacier, 28 miles long, 6 miles wide, and over 1000 feet thick, is one of Alaska’s grandest natural attractions. Knik Glacier, born in the Pleistocene Glaciation period (the beginning of the Ice Age) 600,000 years ago, covered the Anchorage bowl and the entire Cook Inlet. Knik Glacier found its way to Hollywood and was featured in such movies as Star Trek V, Running Free, and numerous music videos and commercials. While it remains active, motion imperceptible to the naked eye, this glacier is in a constant state of change.

End your day at your Anchorage hotel for an evening of leisure. Located in Southcentral Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, the Municipality of Anchorage is a unique urban environment situated in the heart of the wilderness. There’s a special mystique to Alaska. The name conjures up adventure, raw natural beauty — glaciers, mountains and seas, unmatched the world around — fascinating wildlife, a unique cultural heritage, and independent, pioneering people. Here you will find four-star restaurants and small cafes, an outstanding Museum of History and Art and a multitude of other fun activities. Enjoy downtown shopping at any of the artist hot spots, or relax and enjoy the nightlife of Anchorage, “the city of lights”. Infamous restaurants dot the downtown area and offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy fresh salmon to prime rib. Be sure to get to sleep early, as tomorrow is early to rise.

View our preferred accommodations for this area:
Anchorage Metro-Area Lodging