OUR NATIONAL PARKS CENTENNIAL: Glacier Bay Park, Alaska

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Glacier Bay was designated a National Monument in 1925 and a National Park & Preserve in 1980 comprising 3,283,00 acres or 5,130 square miles. In 1992 it was designated part of a World Heritage Site. The number of vessels per day is limited in the summer months. The maximum number of vessels allowed each day include 2 cruise ships, 3 tour boats, 6 charter vessels, and 25 private vessels. I have visited here 3 times and has changed considerably over the years since my first visit in 1992.

250 years ago a single, large tidewater glacier covered all of Glacier Bay. By 1750 the glacier began to retreat and has now retreated 60 miles to the head of the bay.Currently glaciers cover 2,055 square miles or 27% of the Park. At last count there were 1,045 glaciers in the Park. There are over 50 named glaciers, 7 of which are active tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into the sea.

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Photos

Aerial view of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / bennymarty

Margerie Glacier
April 28, 2016

Margerie Glacier
April 28, 2016

John Hopkins Inlet
Photo by NPS

John Hopkins Glacier
Photo by NPS

Margerie Glacier
June 2004

Margerie Glacier
June 2004

Marble Islands and Sea Lions
Photo by NPS

Margerie Glacier and Grand Pacific Glacier
The black is the moraine of Grand Pacific Glacier