Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is an amazing place with an incredible story. A little more than 250 years ago, the bay did not even exist. Change has happened over a remarkably quick period of time. A catastrophic glacial retreat has created a magnificent spot, home to glaciers, scenery, wildlife, and this story of change.
Our journey today traced the retreat of the glacier from the park entrance to the current location of the Grand Pacific Glacier. We journeyed approximately 65 miles and observed the changes as the glacier retreated. Low in the bay, lush forests have developed. As we progressed up bay, the vegetation became sparser, until we arrive at the glacier. Here, where the glacier has recently retreated, fresh bare rock is exposed, devoid even of lichens.
Wildlife also has a story in this bay. A brown bear fed at low tide on the rich intertidal creatures. A pod of killer whales patrolled the water searching for a tasty marine mammal snack. South Marble Island was loaded with nesting seabirds, including puffins, gulls, and murres. Humpback whales fed on small fish known as capelin, and an abundance of birds joined in. Tiny Kittlitz’s murrelets dived for food to carry up to their nests 3,000 feet above. And sea otters rolled around in the kelp, continuously cleaning their fur to stay warm in this chilly water.
But the glacier is the main story. We sat in front of the Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers contemplating all that they have done. First, carving out this incredible place as they acted like a gigantic bulldozer, and then retreating back and exposing this incredible place for us to enjoy.
