Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park covers 3.3 million acres, and in 1986 the park was named a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In 1992 it was listed as a World Heritage Site, the principal international recognition given to natural and cultural areas of universal significance. No doubt it is a memorable experience for all of us to spend a full day in this unique part of the world.
Our day started when we picked up our host of the day, Park Ranger Mike Ausema, at Bartlett Cove where the Glacier Bay lodge and Visitor Center is located. We slowly made our way to South Marble Island, which is an important nesting site for several species of sea birds. There were a lot of OH's, and a lot of excitement after we spotted the first tufted puffin, a handsome bird that belongs to the Alcidae Family. The sounds and calls from black-legged kittiwakes, a beautiful small gull, were overwhelming; hundreds of them flying around, and nesting on the cliffs and slopes of South Marble Island. Pelagic cormorants, pigeon guillemots, bald eagles, glaucous-winged gulls, black oystercatchers and last but not least, a group of Steller sea lions which gathered in a bachelor group. A couple of full grown males, were growling and looking at us. These bulls can weigh up to 1500 pounds and can be 9 feet long. They are characterized by having a thick collar of fur. We had some great views of them!
Making our way up north, we stopped at "Gloomy Knob" a glacier-scraped hill, where we searched and scanned with binoculars for mountain goats. After a few minutes, several of these incredibly well adapted rock climbers were spotted. Moms and kids were lying on the grass, and just seemed to be looking at the world around them. Before lunch we had the opportunity to get close views of our first glacier in this National Park; the strikingly blue glacier, the Lamplugh, which is 16 miles long. Next, the majestic 12-14 miles long, one mile wide, 250 feet both above and below the water, Johns Hopkins Glacier came into view. The M.V. Sea Lion was surrounded by icebergs, bits and growlers that calved from Johns Hopkins Glacier. This is one of the few glaciers in the area that is still advancing.
Following lunch the vessel maneuvered through ice flows, and made it up close to the face of the Margerie Glacier, one of the most active calving glaciers. At first it was quite silent, but as we waited patiently, it started talking to us…"White thunder", the name that the natives used to describe this phenomenon. The Grand Pacific Glacier was to the right side of the Margerie, all covered with dust and debris. Later in the afternoon Lee Moll gave an interesting and educational presentation on Glaciers and Glaciation. Meanwhile, we were sailing back to Bartlett Cove for the evening activity: a needed hike and stretch along the forest loop trail near the Park Headquarters.
Glacier Bay National Park covers 3.3 million acres, and in 1986 the park was named a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In 1992 it was listed as a World Heritage Site, the principal international recognition given to natural and cultural areas of universal significance. No doubt it is a memorable experience for all of us to spend a full day in this unique part of the world.
Our day started when we picked up our host of the day, Park Ranger Mike Ausema, at Bartlett Cove where the Glacier Bay lodge and Visitor Center is located. We slowly made our way to South Marble Island, which is an important nesting site for several species of sea birds. There were a lot of OH's, and a lot of excitement after we spotted the first tufted puffin, a handsome bird that belongs to the Alcidae Family. The sounds and calls from black-legged kittiwakes, a beautiful small gull, were overwhelming; hundreds of them flying around, and nesting on the cliffs and slopes of South Marble Island. Pelagic cormorants, pigeon guillemots, bald eagles, glaucous-winged gulls, black oystercatchers and last but not least, a group of Steller sea lions which gathered in a bachelor group. A couple of full grown males, were growling and looking at us. These bulls can weigh up to 1500 pounds and can be 9 feet long. They are characterized by having a thick collar of fur. We had some great views of them!
Making our way up north, we stopped at "Gloomy Knob" a glacier-scraped hill, where we searched and scanned with binoculars for mountain goats. After a few minutes, several of these incredibly well adapted rock climbers were spotted. Moms and kids were lying on the grass, and just seemed to be looking at the world around them. Before lunch we had the opportunity to get close views of our first glacier in this National Park; the strikingly blue glacier, the Lamplugh, which is 16 miles long. Next, the majestic 12-14 miles long, one mile wide, 250 feet both above and below the water, Johns Hopkins Glacier came into view. The M.V. Sea Lion was surrounded by icebergs, bits and growlers that calved from Johns Hopkins Glacier. This is one of the few glaciers in the area that is still advancing.
Following lunch the vessel maneuvered through ice flows, and made it up close to the face of the Margerie Glacier, one of the most active calving glaciers. At first it was quite silent, but as we waited patiently, it started talking to us…"White thunder", the name that the natives used to describe this phenomenon. The Grand Pacific Glacier was to the right side of the Margerie, all covered with dust and debris. Later in the afternoon Lee Moll gave an interesting and educational presentation on Glaciers and Glaciation. Meanwhile, we were sailing back to Bartlett Cove for the evening activity: a needed hike and stretch along the forest loop trail near the Park Headquarters.
