Not many people can say they woke up in Glacier Bay National Park. As the National Geographic Quest pulled away from Bartlett Cove by the entrance to the park, we were immediately greeted by a pod of killer whales. As the rangers and our Tlingit guide introduced themselves, we headed north up the enormous glacier-carved bay towards South Marble Island. Many different birds greeted us as we arrived, including puffins, cormorants, gulls, oystercatchers, and murres to name a few. Plenty of Steller sea lions were also lounging on the island.
Further north we approached Gloomy Knob, where mountain goats dotted the cliffs. The killer whales joined us again and traveled alongside the ship and then passed us up to take the lead. After lunch we had arrived as far as the waterway could take us – to Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers. Although the Grand Pacific is sprinkled with dirt and rocks, it still overlooks the glacial valley it has carved over the past 250 years. Margerie Glacier, to the west of the Grand Pacific, is fed by the river of ice from Mount Fairweather – visible today just beyond the face of the blue calving glacier.
Headed back south, we were finally graced by the one animal that had been so elusive so far – a brown bear! In the distance, a bear was rummaging in the intertidal zone near some small pieces of grounded glacier ice. And, given the sunny, warm, blue-sky conditions, he was actually lounging in the cool water of the bay.
As we cruised back towards the park entrance, the 13 newest Glacier Bay Junior Rangers took an oath to protect nature, be kind and helpful to others, and go outside to have a good time!
