Exploring Mears Glacier and Cedar Bay, Alaska

 

Jumping into Unakwik Inlet like...

Today we explored a wondrous place called Unakwik Inlet here in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This was the epicenter of the 1964 Good Friday earthquake. It measured 9.2 on the richtor scale, making one side of the fjord raise up 12 feet while they other side sank down. Dead trees can still be seen along the inlet on our way up to Meares glacier at the end.

Meares glacier is always an exciting one to explore, because it is advancing instead of retreating, like almost all the other glaciers in the world. If you get close enough you can see where the glacier is slow motion bulldozing its way through the rainforest, knocking trees over and pushing earth in front of it as it advances. We had some guests kayaking and others exploring by small boat, but I wanted to take people on a hike to the glacier face.

This is one of the most unique hikes that I've found up here in Prince William Sound. We landed on an easy rocky beach. Then we crossed a small stream before finding a bear trail that took us through the moss covered forest. While we hiked, the sound of thunder kept coming from up ahead. The glacier was talking to us in thunderous roars. It was wild to be able to hear the ice calving off the glacier but not see it. Finally the forest opened up, and a giant blue-white wall of ice was visible ahead. We got close enough to walk on it and get some pretty cool photos.

After exploring the glacier we went back down Unakwik Inlet to a long bay called Cedar Bay. It was the first time we had seen cedar trees this trip, as they are pretty rare in the Chugach Forest. We had excellent kayaking conditions. We checked out the back bay and it was chocked full of salmon. Some of the guests thought that they might be knocked over by the schools of salmon in the shallows.

It was a beautiful day to explore this part of Alaska. And there is something so amazing about doing it by kayak.

Kayaking the clear waters of Cedar Bay, Alaska. We had incredible conditions today from blue skies to calm waters. We also had giant schools of salmon under us back by the river mouth.

Hanging in front of a giant piece of ice that fell off Meares glacier some time ago and got stranded here on the beach by the receding tide.

We landed on this rocky beach and hiked through the forest to the glacier beyond.

Kayaking through the forest at high tide.

Pat and Gordon heading off on our kayak around Cedar Bay.

The family in front of Meares Glacier, Alaska.

Sharon, looking like a young John Muir with this lichen mustache.

The light colored granite rocks of this area were absolutely beautiful, and very visible underwater as well.

Kayaking through the shallows around a bunch of salmon.

Checking out the ice garden in front of Meares Glacier.

Climbing on the glacier at its leading edge.

Gotta catch up to my group here on our guided kayak.

Its sunny days like this where we get our brochure shots from.

Close up of Meares Glacier.

Here is my group, exploring the leading edge of Meares Glacier where it is bulldozing its way through the rainforest. It is one of the few glaciers that is advancing.

This ice archway was enticing to go into, but it could've collapsed at any time, so we just looked from afar.

Kayaking past the granite shoreline of Cedar Bay.

Most of the snow has melted off the peaks here, but not all. We did enjoy temps in the mid 60's, which is pretty warm for this part of Alaska.

Trying not to get stuck in the shallows, at the very back corner of Cedar bay. This is where all the salmon were hanging out, waiting to get into the freshwater river.

Jumping creeks and whacking bushes on our way to Meares glacier.

A peek-a-boo view of Meares glacier from our bear trail.

I really liked this tree in the middle, that forms a curve from its base, then heads straight and true up to the canopy.