Glacier Bay National Park

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Glacier Bay National Park sometime next June/July and was hoping to get some suggestions and pointers from those who have visited the park.

At this point I'm planning on spending a little under 3 weeks there. My plan is to arrive ahead of the rest of my party, stay in the campground, and keep my kayaking down to a few miles a day. When the others arrive we'll venture deeper into the park. I'm thinking of spending a few nights in the lodge just to recharge and keep everyone happy midway through our stay, but most of the time will be spent traveling by kayak and camping.

It doesn't sound like it's even permitted to get too close to the marine life in the park. I'm wondering if my best opportunities might come from shore, a charter, or maybe even outside the park.

Since I have nothing but questions, I'll take whatever advice I can get right now.

Thanks!

It depends on what you are after. Seals and otters are often approachable by kayak right at the snouts of the glaciers; too close for safety in a kayak sometimes. Porpoises are anywhere. Whales, you best chance is to charter out of Gustavus; the charter operators usually know where the whales are.

Keep in mind the Park is pretty big, and that in a kayak it takes a long time to work you way in. I suggest chartering further in if you want to see the glaciers, and kayaking from a landing point.

If you want to stay at the Lodge at Bartlett Cove, book well in advance.

NPN'er Kent Mearig should chime in; he lives a lot closer to Gustavus than me...

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

It sounds like I should plan on taking one or two charters outside the park just to be on the safe side if I want to catch any humpback whales. That might be a good way to spend some of my "alone time".

If it's possible, I'll see if we can be picked up somewhere around the Beardslee, or Marble Islands, and transported to the East Arm where I've heard that wildlife is more abundant.

Hopefully that's not too crazy of a plan. When I'm a little better prepared I'll be sure and book rooms. Thanks again for your help!

Any other suggestions for this trip, even those unrelated to photography, are much appreciated.

Well, I'm afraid I won't be able to offer much help in your planning. Wildlife is far from my specialty, and despite my proximity, I've never actually been to Glacier Bay NP or Gustavus. On my last flight down from Anchorage, I had a clear view, and the place was gorgeous. That's the closest I've been. Three weeks in such a remote location sounds like a really intense trip. If part of your travels bring you through Juneau, you might be better off doing whale watching in our waters. On any given day, they can be the best in the world (especially in early July: see my blog). Sorry my knowledge is so area limited. Good luck with your planning.

I worked there for a few years, and did most of my shooting on land, of plants not animals... Anyway, the trail that goes up the Bartlett river, and your own trail after that tapers off, is loaded with possibilities rain or shine. And the mud and tide zones have zillions of nice, weird patterns and colors - green and red seaweed, gray and tan and brown mud, and all sorts of colors of strange sea-life like starfish, barnacles, etc. And there's often nice mountain views in all directions, including from right near the lodge/campground. I used to go out on the long fuel dock near the boat dock and get nice evening views of the Fairweathers, but then that got all terrorist-scardey (the NPS is the US Gov, remember, not a bunch of natue-loving hippies unfortunately) and they blocked it off. But maybe if you just snuck out there... And the town of Gustavus has a lot of nice photo possibilities, too - from the super-pretty gas station (more like a museum) to the old boats, docks, buildings, airplanes... Remember it's often raining and/or very cloudy, so plan for that light. By the way, seals hang out sometimes near where the Bartlett River Trail gets to the river after the forest part. There are probably some bears and whales and otters and stuff somewhere too.

Kent:

Thank you for replying. I've bookmarked your site and will be no doubt be visiting often. You have some incredible work there! I've just now been able to get back to my planning and will try and squeeze in some time in Juneau if possible.

Robert:

Thank you very much. This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to get.

Sorry I didn't have the time to thank you guys sooner!