Part Eight: Hubbard Glacier
Our cruise was almost over but there was one more significant attraction on the list of things to see. That would be the Hubbard Glacier. We were scheduled to swing by it for a first hand view.
There are, as I mentioned in an earlier post, an estimated 27,000 unnamed glaciers in Alaska and some 600 that are named. This is, of course, one of the later.
The Hubbard Glacier is 200 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska. My research tells me that the glacier is reported to be the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It is 76 miles long and an estimated 6 miles wide.
The Hubbard Glacier is said to be 600 feet at its terminal face, – 350 feet above the waterline and 250 feet below the waterline.
As our ship moved into the bay where the glacier was located I was up on the bow with a whole group of people. I remember thinking that I had been transported to another world. One that was so quiet, So other worldly. So magnificent. The glacier appeared so untouched. So cold. Yet, so fragile.
Our captain brought our ship I believe within about 2 miles of the glacier. He kept maneuvering the ship so that both sides of the ship were able to see some spectacular views of the glacier.
There was a group of people from our ship who went on a special excursion and were able to get an even closer glimpse of the glacier. I’m sure this was one of those if you need to ask the price than you can’t afford it excursions. But I can dream maybe the next time.
That little black dot in the center of the this picture is their excursion boat. They are way in, among the bergs that have broken off previously from the glacier. I kept wondering how big were the size of some of those bergs. No doubt you are just seeing the tip of the iceberg!
No matter where you looked the scenery was over the top. What an amazing and beautiful place to visit. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to do. The beauty and the grandeur of the mountains and the glacier just take your breath away.
All too soon we were on our way out of the bay heading toward Seward where we would depart the ship. However, our time in Alaska was not done yet.
"On The Road of Retirement" 
It was magnificent, wasn’t it? I like your expression, “so other worldly.” I didn’t know how far away we were from the glacier, so I’m glad to know it was 2 miles. I wasn’t sure! Your pictures are great! We were blessed to be able to see the Hubbard Glacier.
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We were blessed, indeed, that day and the whole trip. Thanks again for being a part of the whole experience it made the cruise that much better. I still smile when I think back to that first day and all of a sudden seeing Dan’s head pop up over the divider between our two balconies. And his nightly glass of mile. Memories like that made this cruise so much the better and so much richer. Thanks again for the memories!
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And thank you for inviting us to join you on this great adventure! I hope we can make many more memories together!
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Your description of words made me feel like I was right there on the bow with you. And you really captured the size and beautiful with your pictures. I didn’t know that glacier was that long. Very specular!
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Thanks for reading. And your wonderful comments. Hey, before I forget if you are ever in the Tampa area again please let me know. We live about 30 minutes east of Tampa. Would be honored to meet you and your husband.
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Thank you for the invitation. It will be an honor for us to meet you both. We will get back there someday and will be thrilled to meet you in person. You are so kind.
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