Personal blog about states
119 miles
Though most well known as the southern terminus for the trans- Alaska oil pipeline, Valdez is also a prime destination for travelers. Valdez is located on a wedge of flat land on the north shore of Port Valdez , a deep-water fjord, and is a 305-mile road trip east of Anchorage and 364-mile drive south of Fairbanks.
A short 45 minute flight from Anchorage is the easiest way to get to Valdez . Visit the Ravn Air website to make reservations and check the schedule. They usually fly twice a day. Flying to Valdez gives you the convenience of speed and an unforgettable flight over the Chugach Mountains and Prince William Sound.
The main reason tourists visit Valdez is for the amazing wildlife and beautiful scenery. Whale watching, skiing, and glacier climbing are just some of the things you can expect to do if you are the adventurous type. Here are some of the top things to do on your next visit to Valdez , Alaska .
Thompson Pass, as seen in May 2009. Thompson Pass is a 2,600 foot-high (855 meter-high) gap in the Chugach Mountains northeast of Valdez , Alaska. It is the snowiest place in Alaska, recording 500 inches (1,300 cm) of snow per year on average.
Anchorage to Valdez Driving Map. The drive from Anchorage to Valdez takes 6 to 7 hours on average. But, there are many scenic vistas and unique places to stop along the way making it easy to spend more than 6 hours on the road . You will have views of several mountain ranges, glaciers, and more.
Valdés is a Spanish toponymic surname of Asturian origin. During the colonization of the Americas, the surname became established there, where many variations appeared, such as Valdez (by analogy with the Spanish patronymic -ez).
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System was designed and constructed to move oil from the North Slope of Alaska to the northern most ice-free port in Valdez, Alaska.
A patronymic surname meaning son of Baldo (from the German bald, “brave”); Baldo is a shortened form of Baltazar, one of the three magi. One who came from Valdéz (tableland), translated literally as “from the valley.”
Valdez , Alaska has the distinction of being the snowiest town in Alaska . The annual average snowfall is 305.8 inches.
Alaska Airlines Flights From Valdez Airport (VDZ)
A small portion of the oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill still lingers in patches beneath Prince William Sound, Alaska, beaches. However, this and other studies suggests the remaining oil is sequestered, or buried, and currently is not posing a risk to the coastal and marine ecosystem.
Bear Viewing in Valdez Duck Flats. Duck Flats along the base of the hillside right off the highway is a great place to view bears with cubs in April and May in particular. Basin Cove. Located down Dayville Rd, Basin Cove is fed by a creek that drops into a basin. Solomon Gulch Hatchery.