Tim and I had the opportunity to visit Alaskan glaciers and fjords by ocean and land. Becoming part of something ancient, alive and majestic was revitalizing! Please enjoy the pictures and descriptions of our journey.
Hubbard Glacier
Disenchantment Bay
by Sea
Being the largest tidewater glacier in North America, it measures about 76 miles long. Where it meets Disenchantment Bay, it’s 6 miles wide. Hubbard is a very lively, healthy glacier that advances dramatically . Despite this, it can be safely visited by sea. The air is crisp and clean and hearing the “white thunder” made from the 400 year old calving ice is awe-inspiring!
Mendenhall Glacier Hike
Juneau
This 3,000 year old glacier flows 13 miles from the Juneau Icefield to Mendenhall Lake. It is very accessible by hiking on land and kayaking. Crampons make walking on the glacier possible. The ice varies in consistency from crusty and crunchy to slick and harder-than-diamonds. As you pause to listen on the glacier, you hear what I like to describe as Rice Crispy cereal “snap crackle and pop” sounds. The ice is alive! Going into the crevasse with a hike arranged through Above and Beyond Alaska was exhilarating. Feeling the cold, melting droplets on my neck was unexpected. The team from Above and Beyond Alaska were amazing. Their professional expert guidance made us feel safe and well informed. An experience of a lifetime!
Misty Fjiords
Rudyerd Bay
Ketchikan
This striking basalt rock is actually remains from an ancient volcano.
Glacial ice carved out long, steep fjords and sea cliffs. The Behm Canal is over 100 miles long with dramatic cliffs that rise thousands of feet from the ocean floor. During low tide, Harbor seals can be seen resting peacefully on rocks. The refreshing scent from Western Hemlock, Sitka spruce, cedar trees penetrate the forest spill down to the sea. Vegetation is lush and dense due to the superabundance of rain. The area gets over 150 inches a year. We were very fortunate to have a calm, gorgeous sunny day as we toured the secluded fjords by ocean!
I hoped you enjoyed our journey to Alaskan glaciers and fjords by ocean and land. Have you ever been to Alaska? How did it make you feel? I would love to hear from you!
What a beautiful trip!
Wow! Amazing!! Pictures are so beautiful!