Watching countless salmon swim up these streams in droves to complete their lifecycle was one of the highlights of our trip!! Most fish in the rivers near anchorage are down spawning by the end of August, but for those visiting in early September (we came for Labor Day weekend) be advised that Portage Creek has a late run of salmon that you can probably still view! If you're already in the Girdwood or Portage/Whittier area, do NOT miss stopping by if this salmon are there!! If you're not sure if your timing is right, just stop by or call a local visitor center and ask! It has great viewing decks and some nice informational boards to teach about the salmon lifecycle, and also has a few miles of trails that follow the steam so you can see the salmon from various spots. Tip: Please try to stay on the trail and avoid going to the stream shore because it damages the really sensitive shoreline! read more