Glacier Bay
This morning the M/V Sea Lion made her way into a crown jewel of the national park system, Glacier Bay. Exposed in a relatively short (by geologic standards) 210 years, the grand forking fjord looks as though it was just released from the mighty grip of glacial ice. In Vancouver’s time the Grand Pacific glacier, which was taking ice from the tributary glaciers from around the park, was all that stood boldly along the north side of Icy Straight. The retreat has been swift and massive.
Our path this day would be from Icy Straight all the way north to within a few miles of the Canadian border. Along the way we stopped at the Marble Islands for close up views of Steller sea lions, pigeon guillemots, gulls, surf scoters, and of course tufted puffins. A run through Sandy Cove revealed a low tide but no charismatic mega fauna (bears, moose…etc). Slowing down at Gloomy Knob produced about 10 mountain goats in various stages of movement and relaxation. An individual goat showed the great climbing ability of these animals by moving along a sheer drop off in search of a mineral lick in the rocks. Farther “up bay” scanning with binoculars was rewarded with 5 bears in Tarr Inlet along the east side. Two seemed to be relaxing after a strenuous afternoon of “frisky” behavior.
Part of the afternoon was spent in front of Marjorie Glacier in hopes that great towers of ice would crumble before us. There was some crumbling, but the glacier did a good job of maintaining its integrity. Hot chocolate and coffee were enjoyed on the bow as we viewed the great river of ice winding its way to the awaiting ocean.
Traveling down bay proved glorious as well with the clouds lifting and the Fairweather Range coming out to the west. Our day ended with a walk around the lodge at Bartlet Cove to view and hear the evening birds and plants of Glacier Bay National Park.
This morning the M/V Sea Lion made her way into a crown jewel of the national park system, Glacier Bay. Exposed in a relatively short (by geologic standards) 210 years, the grand forking fjord looks as though it was just released from the mighty grip of glacial ice. In Vancouver’s time the Grand Pacific glacier, which was taking ice from the tributary glaciers from around the park, was all that stood boldly along the north side of Icy Straight. The retreat has been swift and massive.
Our path this day would be from Icy Straight all the way north to within a few miles of the Canadian border. Along the way we stopped at the Marble Islands for close up views of Steller sea lions, pigeon guillemots, gulls, surf scoters, and of course tufted puffins. A run through Sandy Cove revealed a low tide but no charismatic mega fauna (bears, moose…etc). Slowing down at Gloomy Knob produced about 10 mountain goats in various stages of movement and relaxation. An individual goat showed the great climbing ability of these animals by moving along a sheer drop off in search of a mineral lick in the rocks. Farther “up bay” scanning with binoculars was rewarded with 5 bears in Tarr Inlet along the east side. Two seemed to be relaxing after a strenuous afternoon of “frisky” behavior.
Part of the afternoon was spent in front of Marjorie Glacier in hopes that great towers of ice would crumble before us. There was some crumbling, but the glacier did a good job of maintaining its integrity. Hot chocolate and coffee were enjoyed on the bow as we viewed the great river of ice winding its way to the awaiting ocean.
Traveling down bay proved glorious as well with the clouds lifting and the Fairweather Range coming out to the west. Our day ended with a walk around the lodge at Bartlet Cove to view and hear the evening birds and plants of Glacier Bay National Park.
