Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
Early this misty morning we entered Endicott Arm Fjord to the Dawes Glacier, 30 miles inland from Holkham Bay. Our first black bear of the trip was spotted on the shoreline busily eating and paying no attention to the many observers focusing their cameras in his direction. Later, we passed Ford’s Terror, a narrow fjord that extends eastward from Endicott Arm and is named for one of the early explorers who encountered the tremendous tidal currents in the narrow passageway. Spectacular evidence of glacial processes were displayed throughout the fjord. A few mountain goats were spotted high up near one of the many hanging valleys in the steep cliff walls.
Just before lunch we reached Dawes Glacier and glorious sunshine! Ice bergs, bergy bits and growlers were floating all around, enticing us. After lunch, we boarded kayaks and Zodiacs to travel amongst the ice. The Dawes Glacier sparkled in the sunshine and rewarded us with several small calvings throughout the afternoon. It was a fantastic way to end our journey here in Southeast Alaska.
Icebergs
By Emily Lucas, age 10
Cold clumps of crystal
Icebergs float in the freezing water.
They glisten and shine in the sunlight.
The clear green water surrounds them.
Diamonds
Some big, some small
Some white, some clear, some blue
They are every shape and size,
Some penny-sized, some the size of cars.
Some smooth, others rough.
Some have towers like a castle
While some have icy valleys and hills.
Icebergs
Cold chunks of crystal.
Early this misty morning we entered Endicott Arm Fjord to the Dawes Glacier, 30 miles inland from Holkham Bay. Our first black bear of the trip was spotted on the shoreline busily eating and paying no attention to the many observers focusing their cameras in his direction. Later, we passed Ford’s Terror, a narrow fjord that extends eastward from Endicott Arm and is named for one of the early explorers who encountered the tremendous tidal currents in the narrow passageway. Spectacular evidence of glacial processes were displayed throughout the fjord. A few mountain goats were spotted high up near one of the many hanging valleys in the steep cliff walls.
Just before lunch we reached Dawes Glacier and glorious sunshine! Ice bergs, bergy bits and growlers were floating all around, enticing us. After lunch, we boarded kayaks and Zodiacs to travel amongst the ice. The Dawes Glacier sparkled in the sunshine and rewarded us with several small calvings throughout the afternoon. It was a fantastic way to end our journey here in Southeast Alaska.
Icebergs
By Emily Lucas, age 10
Cold clumps of crystal
Icebergs float in the freezing water.
They glisten and shine in the sunlight.
The clear green water surrounds them.
Diamonds
Some big, some small
Some white, some clear, some blue
They are every shape and size,
Some penny-sized, some the size of cars.
Some smooth, others rough.
Some have towers like a castle
While some have icy valleys and hills.
Icebergs
Cold chunks of crystal.
