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Valdez
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Terminus of the 800-mile-long Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the little town of Valdez (population 4,000) is surrounded by jagged mountains befitting it's "Little Switzerland" moniker. Two disasters had major impacts on the region: the 1964 earthquake and tsunami that destroyed the old town, and the 1989 wreck of the Exxon Valdez that dumped oil into nearby Prince William Sound. Signs of both disasters are not readily visible to visitors today, though environmental impacts from the oil linger. Boat tours of the Sound pass drifting icebergs from massive Columbia Glacier and noisy sea lion rookeries. North from Valdez, the Richardson Highway parallels the Lowe River through Keystone Canyon, whose Class-III rapids are a favorite of rafters and kayakers. Waterfalls plummet over high cliffs, and the highway climbs into the alpine at Thompson Pass, a good spot to explore Worthington Glacier. Valdez contains two excellent museums, and is popular with sea kayakers and anglers. Winters are famously snowy, with around 25 feet of snow in a typical year! By the way, the town's correct pronunciation is val-DEEZ.
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Don Pitcher has written or photographed 10 travel guidebooks to Alaska, Wyoming, Yellowstone-Grand Teton, and the San Juan Islands for Avalon Travel Publishing, Random House, and Sasquatch Books.
Don Pitcher has written or photographed 10 travel guidebooks to Alaska, Wyoming, Yellowstone-Grand Teton, and the San Juan Islands for Avalon Travel Publishing, Random House, and Sasquatch Books.
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Valdez Must See/Do
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Valdez See It Next Time
- The town itself isn't particularly interesting, and lacks notable restaurants
- Due to heightened security concerns, tours of the pipeline terminal are no longer offered
When to Visit Valdez
Summer for Prince William Sound tours; winter for heli-skiing and ice-climbing
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Valdez Maps
Valdez Events
- June-July: Valdez Halibut Derby, Annual Prince William Sound Community College Last Frontier Theatre Conference
- February-March: SnoX Race, Mayors Cup, PWSCC Annual Valentines Day Dinner and Auction
- October-November: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Tree Lighting
- April-May: Valdez May Day Fly-In & Airshow, Valdez Halibut Derby
- December-January: Emblem Annual Christmas Bazaar, Ministerial Association "Ladies Annual Christmas Tea"
- August-September: Valdez Gold Rush Days, Spawn 'til Dawn Party, Annual Women's Silver Salmon Derby
More Valdez Info
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