Tracy Arm & Williams Cove

John Muir perhaps described it best when he wrote: “… the scenery seemed at every turn to become more lavishly fruitful in forms as well as more sublime in dimensions – snowy falls booming in splendid dress, colossal domes and battlements and sculptured arches of a fine neutral gray tint, their bases bathed by the blue fiord water … and glaciers above all, sweeping in grand majesty from high mountain fountains.” He, of course, was speaking of the Tracy Arm and the Sawyer Glaciers.

The foredeck was awash with observers up at the crack of dawn to see the beauty of the place. Ice in the fjord greeted us early, creating a real sense of anticipation as we neared the glaciers and our chance to Zodiac among the bergs and bits. Harbor seals popped up their bald heads to investigate our presence; and the Sawyer Glacier greeted us with awesome calving.

There is no doubt that the ‘wow factor’ here is extremely high. Plus, the ‘real Alaska’ showed up too with overcast, rain and windy conditions. Wonderful! After nearly a week of sunny warm conditions it was meaningful to experience the power of nature that created these ice fields and the temperate rain forest.

Wilderness Rangers from the US Forest Service who regularly kayak through the wilderness area came aboard and addressed the expedition. Their personal courage to be as one with nature while serving and protecting the pubic interest is inspiring.

The afternoon had us at Williams Cove hiking and kayaking on our last expedition exploration in the wilderness. The two brown bears that greeted us on the beach before anchoring were a reminder that we were indeed in the wild.