Alaska activities

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

I spent some time doing killer whale research up in Whittier Alaska, it's on the Prince William sound. To get there, you traverse a 2.5 mile tunnel that alternates between cars and trains. When we did it, about 15 years ago, we drove the car onto a flatbed railcar and rode the train in, not sure how they do it now.

It's been converted, so trains can run, and cars can drive over the tracks as well. It's too narrow to accommodate two lanes, so every half hour they switch the direction. It's an interesting process, and the drive is not for anyone with claustrophobia. Most of it is a rough hewn tunnel with bare, jagged rock staring at you. Whittier itself was a simple port town, but the journey to get there was a kick.

I looked it up, it's the second longest highway tunnel in North America. Worth a visit.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

It's been converted, so trains can run, and cars can drive over the tracks as well. It's too narrow to accommodate two lanes, so every half hour they switch the direction. It's an interesting process, and the drive is not for anyone with claustrophobia. Most of it is a rough hewn tunnel with bare, jagged rock staring at you. Whittier itself was a simple port town, but the journey to get there was a kick.

I looked it up, it's the second longest highway tunnel in North America. Worth a visit.

Thanks for the updated info. I always thought it was interesting that everyone in the town of Whittier lived in one building. From what I heard, it was a real soap opera, living there. Certainly not a tourist spot in itself, but a jumping off point for Prince William Sound adventures.