Juneau to Tracy Arm Cove

This morning we cast off the lines bright and early filled with anticipation for the adventure that awaits us. On this leg we will travel south from Juneau through Stephens Passage, Fredrick Sound and Clarence Strait with Ketchikan as our destination. Today is sunny and warm with the forecast calling for more of the same for the next few days as we make our way to Tracy Arm Cove. Upon leaving Auk Bay, we glanced back at the icy blue Mendenhall Glacier surrounded by the nearly 7,000-foot snow covered peaks of the Mendenhall Towers mountain range with forest green Mount McGinnis in the foreground.

Seas were flat calm as we traveled about 45 miles to Holkham Bay where we were greeted by the Sumdum glacier high in the Stikine Icefield and our first siting of a few icebergs, a preview to tomorrow’s adventure up to Sawyer glaciers. Once settled into Tracy Arm Cove, we all had our first experience of rafting together. After Deception anchored and shore tied, each boat joined us one by one. We were all so impressed when Arctic Star confidently docked alongside with fifteen-year-old Miles at the helm!

It was hot! By the time the boats were all settled, a few of us decided to go for a quick dip. Matt from Deception took the full body plunge and surfaced with a surprised look as he realized the icebergs effect on the water temperature…COLD!

Once settled in, kayaks were unloaded, and each chose to their own activity. A group of us from Thea and Eldean went ashore for a walk. The view of the boat raft from the shore was a great photo opportunity as was the small stream that gently flowed out of the spruce and hemlock forest through the sedge grass and into the cove. During the walk, we exchanged stories and got to know each other a bit better, found a few intertidal critters and shells and later, moseyed back to the boats to start our dinners.

Judy, Todd and Keith on La Vida invited everyone over for evening happy hour and appetizers.  La Vida is the largest boat in the flotilla allowing everyone to socialize together and, simultaneously, admire their lovely vessel. A calm evening with a soft pink sky made for a relaxing evening and good nights sleep to prepare us for our early start up Tracy Arm to the Sawyer Glaciers tomorrow morning.

P.S. Is Alaska on your bucket list? We can take you there! Reserve your spot on our 2022 Mother Goose AK Flotilla today.