Warm glow, cold water

Portage Lake is the result of Portage Glacier's retreat. The massive body of ice has been shrinking for some time, and in 1914, the result of that shrinkage was a new body of water. As you might guess, these glacial waters are extremely cold, so don't visit expecting a nice summer dip. However, skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking on and near the lake, depending on the time of year, are all popular pastimes for those who make their way to this part of the Chugach National Forest. The forest in southern Alaska is genuinely expansive: Chugach offers nearly 7 million acres of protected and undeveloped land.