Day 8, June 30th – Towards Valdez

The morning mist hung low over Pippin Lake as we packed up our RV and prepared for another day of exploring the wild heart of Alaska.

Worthington glacier

The drive to Worthington Glacier was nerve-wracking, shrouded in thick fog that made the road almost disappear. I had to drive with hazard lights on, barely able to see the vehicle in front of me, which added a thrilling edge to the journey.

By 11 AM, we arrived at Worthington Glacier, a National Natural Landmark known for its slow retreat and spectacular icy expanse. The rain had not stopped, but that didn’t deter us. Donning our rain jackets and sturdy hiking boots, we set off on the short 15-minute trek to the glacier viewpoint.

From the viewpoint, the scale of the glacier was breathtaking. A small telescope allowed us to examine its intricate crevasses and the deep U-shaped valley it had carved over millennia. It’s fascinating how glaciers sculpt the land differently from rivers — while rivers cut V-shaped valleys, glaciers carve broad, sweeping U-shaped troughs. In many cases, glacial valleys that dip below sea level eventually fill with seawater, forming the majestic fjords Alaska is famous for.

Lush green mountains, cascading with snowmelt and a lone RV standing against this backdrop looked stunning. The contrast between the vibrant vegetation and the icy blue of the glacier created a scene so surreal that we couldn’t stop clicking photos.

Bridal Veil Falls – Nature’s Gentle Elegance

A short drive brought us to Bridal Veil Falls . It greeted us with its delicate, silvery cascade tumbling gracefully down a moss-covered cliff. The waterfall, though is not massive, but it stands on the side of a road cutting through canyon which makes it look beautiful.

Solomon Gulch Hatchery – The Pulse of Alaska’s Salmon

As we neared Valdez on Dayville Road, we stopped at Solomon Gulch Hatchery, an essential site for Alaska’s salmon population. We were a few weeks early for the salmon run so there were no salmons. This facility plays a crucial role in replenishing salmon stocks, ensuring both ecological balance and the livelihoods of local fishermen.

Valdez – History, Resilience, and the Spirit of the Sea

By mid-afternoon, we reached Valdez, a town whose history mirrors the resilience of Alaska itself. Named in 1790 after Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán, Valdez remained largely unsettled by Europeans until much later. The town’s early boom came during the Klondike Gold Rush, when prospectors braved the treacherous Valdez Glacier Trail — a path that claimed many lives — in search of fortune. In 1964, the Good Friday Earthquake devastated the town, and a subsequent tsunami forced the entire settlement to relocate a few miles west. Despite such setbacks, Valdez rebounded, later becoming a critical hub for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and enduring the environmental tragedy of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. Today, Valdez remains an ice-free port year-round, thanks to warm North Pacific currents, standing as a testament to human adaptability amid nature’s extremes.

Arriving around 2:30 PM, we checked into our centrally located Bear Paw RV park, a rare gem offering convenience and charm. Our RV Park in Valdez turned out to be the best campsite of the entire trip — spotless, with free showers and restrooms, and even paid laundry facilities. Its location was unbeatable, right in the heart of town, with most restaurants just a short walk away. Although we had originally booked two nights, we decided to stay only one, and the lady at the front desk couldn’t have been kinder; she changed our reservation without a single question.

After resting a bit, we treated ourselves with a fancy lunch at The Fat Mermaid. Energized, we explored the Dock Point Trail, where rugged paths wind alongside the harbor, offering views of boats bobbing gently in the water. After the hike, we strolled along the harbor to witness the charm of Valdez. Fishermen busily cleaned their catches, with seagulls and crows poised like spectators to claim any scraps. We even witnessed a communal celebration of a particularly impressive catch, complete with a leaderboard and photographs — a quirky, heartwarming tradition that highlights Valdez’s connection to the sea.

Walking through town, we couldn’t resist stopping at a shop advertising “We FedEx Fish.” Only in Alaska could such a blend of wild tradition and modern convenience exist so seamlessly.