Hiking to the Face of Meares Glacier

Me, in my element.

This is the maiden voyage of the Safari Explorer here in Prince William Sound, Alaska. I've been doing a ton of research on the area with topography maps, charts, books, and cruising guides. We also have some crew onboard that have driven boats in this area and can provide good local knowledge on navigating. However, a lot of the hiking options we are seeing for the first time with guests. I didn't have to try to hard to get these guests excited about going exploring with me this week. Their exploratory spirit has really paid off, as each hike, forest poke, and kayak has proved to be absolutely incredible. The season is off to an amazing start, and I'm so glad to be a part of it.

The hike this morning at Meares Glacier might be the highlight of the entire week. I took eight harder hikers with me and we found a wonderful drop off beach to start the hike. We had to navigate a small creek, flowing out of the rainforest, before finding a nice bear path that led us along the coast. The rainforest was like one giant moss garden. Parts of the trail were easy for a bear on all fours, but a bit slippery and steep for the hikers, so we took it slow. Luckily the floor of the rainforest was nice and soft for the few times people landed on their bums.

One of the most unusual features of this hike was the sound of thunder coming from up ahead. Every time big ice chunks calved off the glacier and fell into the water it would sound like a burst of thunder. We had a few openings in the trail where we stopped to get photos of the glacier. Then, all of a sudden, an apocalyptic scene appeared before us. The forest was torn up and pushed ahead of a giant wall of ice. This is where Meares glacier is advancing, and plowing down anything in its path, including the Alaskan rainforest. Luckily it isn't advancing too fast, so we felt safe where we were, taking in the wild scene.

I didn't want to dawdle there too long though. So after a few pictures we scooted down off the rocks to a rocky beach below, where the side of the glacier was grounded about 300 feet back. There was a huge calving in the middle of the glacier which sent waves three to four feet up the rocky beach. Nothing for us to worry about as we hiked around, but it was something that could effect us if we got picked up here by the skiff, or if it was higher tide.

We spent a long time, enjoying the grand finale of what turned out to be a spectacular hike. Chunks of ice filled the beach creating an ice garden of natures own sculptures. Eventually, we had to get picked up by the skiff and taken back to the boat to head out to our next destination. The boat ride back was pretty quiet as everyone watched the glacier disappear from view, and reflected on an incredible shared experience.

A break in the forest provides a glimpse at the glacier, looming ahead.

Keep Traveling,
Dai Mar

Meares glacier is one of the few glaciers in Prince William Sound, and the world, that is either stable or advancing. Notice the plowed down trees to the side of the glacier. It is destroying the forest as it advances.

Making it to the pebbly beach in front of the glacier. Large chunks of ice had been stranded by the low tide creating an ice garden.

One of our group posing for a very unique, yet very Alsaka photo.

I waded out into the ice filled water to get this photo.

The first UnCruise hikers to Meares glacier.

Sliding down out of the forest to the face of the glacier. It will be interesting to watch and see if this part of the forest is the next to be plowed over by the glacier.

Peeking through the ice.

Hike with a view. This walk combined a wonderful coastal rainforest experience with the sounds of a calving glacier. There were several views of the glacier during the hike, before popping out right in front of it.

This is the first time I've hiked next to an advancing glacier. It is plowing through the rainforest as it advances.

It is a wild scene close to the advancing edge of the glacier.

The start of the hike begins with a tricky navigation of this small stream.

Some ups and downs were navigated as we hiked through the coastal rainforest. We did decide to skip this slot down to the boulders at the waters edge.

The final slide down to the beach in front of the glacier.

Having fun in the rainforest.

We walked along a bear highway, a path that bears have used for centuries.

I'm glad I called this adventure a scramble instead of a walk. Places like this can be tricky and slippery, but my hikers were ready for the challenge!