Page 82 - Richardson And Glenn Highways (East Alaska)

VALDEZ
Glacier & Wildlife Tours
Valdez is a perfect place to go on a boat tours. Operators provide tours into scenic Prince William Sound from the Valdez Harbor. On a cruise you'll see many of the glaciers only visible from the sea (or air) as well as an up close view ofthe variety of marine wildlife that live in these protected Alaska waters.
Bearfoot Tip: Sunn y da ys are great time to go on a glacier tour, so ifyou have great weather, plan accordingly.
Three Tidal Glaciers
There are three tidal glaciers close to Valdez. Shoup Glacier is a great place for kayaking and a multi-day adventure. Ask for trail information at the Visitor Center. Columbia Glacier is farther from town and a tour destination. Even farther from Valdez is Meares Glacier. All three glaciers start in an icefield high in the Chugach Mountains and flow into Prince William Sound.
Where Glaciers Meet Water
Because waters in Prince William Sound are relative- ly calm, Valdez is a good place to take a glacier tour. There are glacier cruises and tours to the Meares, Co- lumbia, and Shoup glaciers that vary in length. Sea- birds, whales and other ocean mammals are often seen on these trips. Because they flow into the ocean these are called "tidewater glaciers." Tidewater gla- ciers calve ice into the water, often in a spectacular fashion. The breaking ice cracks and splashes in the seawater.
Before They Melt
Columbia Glacier is a huge 425-square mile glacier and is the subject of much study, because of its mas- sive size and precipitous retreat. It has been called the fastest moving glacier in the world . It has retreat- ed greatly since the 1980's. It has gotten 1,300 feet thinner, although it is still enormous. Scientists pre- dict that its length will stabilize by the year 2020. Still, when you study NASA pictures taken from space, they show that now is the time to take your children or grandchildren out to Columbia Glacier.