Dear Friends of the Chugach:
We are writing to provide you with a review of what took place in 2008 on the joint Alaska Railroad (ARRC) – Forest Service (USFS) Whistle Stop Project, and an overview of what we plan to work on in 2009. As you will see in this letter, the extensive projects this year will include continued facilities and trail construction, and efforts to determine the types of recreational opportunities that will be offered, including overnight accommodations and commercially-provided services. With each year, we move closer to full implementation of the Whistle Stop Project. In 2008, the first full season for passenger operations, visitors saw the completion of a couple of developments started in 2007. The 3.1 mile Spencer Glacier Trail was finished in August, including two short spurs that lead to nine dispersed campsites. The group campsite opened on July 1, with amenities that include picnic benches, a fire ring, and bear-proof food storage containers. Almost 4,000 visitors traveled on the Glacier Discovery Train in 2008, an increase of about 1,000 from historic use levels. Nearly 3,000 of these visitors participated in the raft trip, while about 1,000 chose to hike at Spencer, stayed on the train to Grandview, or floated down the Placer River on their own. Visitors reserved the group campsite twelve times in July and August. The ARRC and USFS will continue to monitor visitation to assist in determining future implementation of the Whistle Stop plan. Reservations for the group campsites and tickets for the Glacier Discovery Train can be made on ARRC’s website at www.akrr.com.
2009 will be another exciting year for the Whistle Stop! As you may have seen, the new self-propelled Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), the Chugach Explorer, has arrived in Anchorage and will be in operation this year. The Chugach Explorer was purchased through a $4.7 million Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands (ATPPL) grant and nearly $1 million from the ARRC. Several dedicated ARRC employees were instrumental in seeing the construction through to completion despite significant challenges. In addition to providing environmentally-sound travel for Whistle Stop passengers this summer, the DMU may also be used in the future for limited commuter operations as well. Additional improvements will also be made to the Spencer Whistle Stop facilities and trail system this summer. First, a well will be put in at the group campsite to provide potable water to campers and hikers. Second, our trail crew will continue construction of the 2.8-mile Spencer Bench Trail, which begins at the Spencer Glacier Trail and heads up the mountain to the north. The vista from the top of this trail is amazing. This is the first section of the Glacier Discovery Trail, which will eventually connect the future whistle stops at Luebner Lake and Grandview.
To ensure that the right recreational opportunities are provided by the Whistle Stop Project, we will initiate an effort to determine citizen desires for outfitted services and overnight accommodations in the Whistle Stop area in 2009. The USFS is currently seeking input regarding overnight accommodations. We will also be gathering comments and ideas on the types of commercial services that should be offered in the Whistle Stop area. Based on public input, we will develop a solicitation of interest to commercial service providers and outfitter/guides. Examples of such services could include the existing river rafting, consideration towards guided day hikes and climbing, boat rentals, provision of camping essentials such as camp stove fuel and firewood, and several other possibilities.
We appreciate your continued support of this project as we strive to develop and provide alternative transportation recreation opportunities to the residents and visitors of south central Alaska. If you have any questions regarding this update, please feel free to contact Paul Clark, Whistle Stop Project Coordinator, at (907) 754-2352 or via email at pdclark@fs.fed.us.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Meade
U.S. Forest Supervisor