Try calling this number to see if the parking area is open: (907) 783-3242 (Glacier Ranger District ).

Thank you Julie and Veronica.

Good information to have! Thank you. Maybe we should drive into Whittier and do something? I have no idea if we could climb up and over the pass to the lake? That would be different!

There usually somewhere to park at the visitor's center general area. Road side parking is forgiven, since they don't plow much. Also Portage Pass is steeper on the Whittier side, so approach from the lake is better. As Vern says, skis with skins or snow shoes. Ski wax is not enough. Also, you could stash a car in Whittier if you continue to Whittier. Have fun.

Thank you Gordon, I would like to go over and back but have to see how far we can go....

There is periodically some spectacular skating inwhittier. Go to youtube and search for tunnel town tour. I shot this in december. Really unique.

Whoops. You should seaech for tunnel town tour whittier

I'm really interested. Need to see if my husband's in town for the kids, tho. Could be v cool.

Aaron, I saw two of your skating.... WoW! who/what is pulling your pole that holds the camera. Thanks.

Always wanted to do this, but will be out of town. Enjoy it.

What does everyone plan to do? Cross/back country skis? Plus snowshoes?

Hoping there's crust for skate skiing out (probably too early in the season though), if not have an old pair of classic ( no metal edges ) for the lake and will take snowshoes as a last resort and to climb to the pass and back ( if it doesn't look "avalanchy" ).

Also plan on taking something for ice awls/claws, probably wear a ski lifevest ( have a spare if someone wants to borrow ) and take a bit of rope just in case.

sorry, no crust ..Dave M just posted photos on FB of deep snow on the lake...unless, I suppose we get a real warm spell. crosscountryalaska often has reports on conditions once crust develops. I'll wear classic skis and bring snowshoes to go over pass.

Hmm well I suppose I cd strap snowshoes onto my pack or bring skins. Haven't done this in 20 yrs!

How about a big dog wearing a harness that's used to b/c skiing?

avalanche anyone? do you bring beacon probe and shovel on this tour?

I would assume that's an obvious tool if we do go up.

I have skied this in the past to Whittier. I suggest metal edge backcountry skis with full skins. We will not be bringing avy gear.

Agree completely, John. This is a full backcountry ski trip. Skins are a lot lighter and easier to carry than snowshoes. This trip is a blast, especially when you get to the top of the pass and descend. The snow should be deep and steep (the couple times I went it was up to my armpits) and one could just float down. It would be very difficult to return the same way, going up from the Whittier side. Better have a car stashed in Whittier.

Thank you all for good suggestions, I wil on classic ski and snowshoe up to pass. Bring whatever you want to use, weather, snow and ice condition can be cahanged.

Anyone from Eagle river want to meet at the Walmark at 8:15 for carpool. I have room for 5.

This climb is not very steep but there are slopes surrounding the area. I think that if people are more comfortable with beacons, etc. . . . act accordingly. There are avalanches up on the hillside where I have never seen them before. Better safe, than sorry!

Is anyone wearing randonee or tellemark gear? It's a long hike across the lake but it would be fun to have alpine gear for coming down! I'm considering it.

Kyong, I'd like to have a ride with you. See you at Walmart at 8:15. Thank you!

I don't have backcountry skis and/or skins (yet....), so can I assume that snowshoes will be ok on the uphill and downhill part?

I don't know. If the snow is deep and light and fluffy, you will sink down more on snowshoes than you would on skis.

I'm with Julia... have no skis and is snow shoes going to be good enough for this adventure? Will opt out if this will hold peeps up.

I'm totally up for skinning up & skiing over but we'd have the shuttle hassle. I put a Q on the trails forum re avalanche risk. If it's even close to an issue, I wouldn't be comfortable unless we all used beacons. BUT, I'd also be psyched if we just ski over, eat, and ski back. I'll use metal edged fishscales if we go over but just fishscales if we do out/back.

Well I may rent some classic skis and bringing snow shoes so it sounds like there will possibly be two groups. If I get to the extent of my gear capability it's time to turn back for me.

Oh, sorry, if we do just go out/back, I'd love to bring a dog that's comfortable w/deep snow. LMK if that'd be an issue. (I'd drive him!) ANd, he'll have a harness just in case we break through at all--doubtful.

I'd be open to just snow shoes if I'm not alone.

This is not a steep climb and obviously, the lake is flat. No worries! Whatever you use. Donna agreed to use alpine gear so that is what we will do. If we get to the top and opt to go over the other side . . . I'm game!

I will try to go over the pass if I can with my snowshoes. We will see how many are there at the carrs on Saturday morning and how with ski and how many with just snowshoes. I don't want to have more than two groups. Jason, you many be the only one without ski....Holly, we will be on the lake for about three and half miles and the lake can be a very windy and don't want to deal with dog drops on the lake

If the group goes up & over, I will likely bail b/c it looks like the winds may pick up & we may get some new powder which would raise the avalanche risk up there. Will watch the skies :)

This is severe and exposed avalanche country. NO ONE should climb this pass without beacons, probes, shovels, and the training to use them.

We could always ski down the lake and back for a look a the glacier, then snowshoe into bear valley a bit for a look/variety. ( Bear valley is the one where the tunnel starts ).

Hey, fyi, really not trying to be a butt :( but "Byron Glacier and Portage Pass - At higher elevations there is snow and elevated Avalanche Hazard ? Travel not recommended. Cornices along mountain top ridges hold on into late spring early/summer that elevates danger. At trail heads and lower elevations there are more clear conditions." http://www.turnagaintimes.com/current%20issue/2011-05-05/... and http://www.cnfaic.org/

of course the best avalanche gear is the device between our ears and we all plan to evaluate conditions carefully and bail accordingly. even with beacon I wouldn't go into "severe avalanche country" ...beacon doesn't give me much sense of security....now one of those inflatable jackets would be nice...:)

I am leaning towards skiing the lake only and not trying for the pass. Maybe part of the group could do that?

I would be prefer that option myself so count me in.

I'm allergic to avalanche.

I would like to go with the plan - head up the pass IF it appears safe and bail if that is the wisest thing to do. We can put our heads together to make that decision. None of us are going to beg each other to be stupid. :)

As I remember it is a somewhat easy hike to the summit but it is a steep down hill where you can go left or right. You have to be a very good skier to go down. A lot of skiers postholed down. Snowshoes are a must

I forgot to add that the down part is short. And one year the lake was snowless and very windy, it blew us across the lake on our skis, was a lot of fun.

As Maureen said, our daughter & I did this last Thursday Kyong, but just out to the glacier.......Snow was about 8 inches & powdery crossing the lake. (Used bkcntry skis rather than 'classics') Stay well in the center of the lake and away from the 'steep' slopes on either side after you pass the boat-dock on the right due to 'avalanche' threat and you'll be fine. Portage Pass, on your left as you approach the end of the lake, looked doable but that was from a distance.

Look out for 'open-pools' and 'slush-bridges' as you get close to the glacier itself. I'm going to do this again sometime in the next two weeks but instead go straight to the end of the lake and head up Shakespeare Peak.......Have fun all! Stay safe!

http://www.cnfaic.org/advisories/current.php
not Portage, but a good reference

this website gives the wind speed and temp on Portage Lake
http://www.akrr.com/Weather/PORTAGE.html