Tracy Arm
Tracy Arm is a fjord just over twenty miles long that terminates at the faces of Sawyer and South Sawyer glaciers. Flowing from the giant Stikine ice field, these two rivers of ice calve massive amounts of ice into the ocean. This morning the Sea Lion carefully made her way through the ice-clogged waters to a fine view point near the blue face of Sawyer glacier. Harbor seals and a variety of birds kept us company. This luminescent iceberg, spotted as we left, was one of many that appeared to defy the laws of physics and glow from within.
We were lured to the outside decks as we navigated downstream through the glacially-sculpted canyon, compelled by the scenery and surprisingly warm breezes. Mountain goats, a harbor porpoise, young harbor seals and more bird life were sighted. A distant waterfall, Hole In the Wall Falls, got closer and closer as First Mate Doug Coughenour maneuvered us to within a few feet of the cliff face. The cascading water washed over the bow and onto the deck as a few bold souls got a first hand feel for the icy water.
Afternoon found us in secluded Williams Cove where we followed bear trails into the temperate rain forest and used kayaks to explore the shoreline and enjoy the solitude of a personal encounter with this great wilderness. A bald eagle soared over our landing site and followed our activities from atop a Sitka spruce tree.
After dinner, near the junction of Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound, our day ended in the company of humpback whales.
Tracy Arm is a fjord just over twenty miles long that terminates at the faces of Sawyer and South Sawyer glaciers. Flowing from the giant Stikine ice field, these two rivers of ice calve massive amounts of ice into the ocean. This morning the Sea Lion carefully made her way through the ice-clogged waters to a fine view point near the blue face of Sawyer glacier. Harbor seals and a variety of birds kept us company. This luminescent iceberg, spotted as we left, was one of many that appeared to defy the laws of physics and glow from within.
We were lured to the outside decks as we navigated downstream through the glacially-sculpted canyon, compelled by the scenery and surprisingly warm breezes. Mountain goats, a harbor porpoise, young harbor seals and more bird life were sighted. A distant waterfall, Hole In the Wall Falls, got closer and closer as First Mate Doug Coughenour maneuvered us to within a few feet of the cliff face. The cascading water washed over the bow and onto the deck as a few bold souls got a first hand feel for the icy water.
Afternoon found us in secluded Williams Cove where we followed bear trails into the temperate rain forest and used kayaks to explore the shoreline and enjoy the solitude of a personal encounter with this great wilderness. A bald eagle soared over our landing site and followed our activities from atop a Sitka spruce tree.
After dinner, near the junction of Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound, our day ended in the company of humpback whales.
