Prince William Sound Wilderness Cruise, Alaska

The Trip

This professionally guided small ship cruise in Alaska's Prince William Sound features photography, whale watching, birding, hiking, and kayaking. We will explore the 2.1 million-acre Nellie Juan-College Fjord Wilderness Study Area, which lies within Alaska’s famous Prince William Sound. More than 3,000 shore land miles of bays, coves and deep fjords comprise the prized seacoast region of this area. Exceeding the combined area of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, this sheltered waterway contains the greatest diversity of habitats found along the entire Pacific Coast, including the world’s northernmost temperate rainforest. The ice-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains reach skyward from virgin shores of towering spruce trees and lush vegetation. Mammoth glaciers inch their way through mountain valleys, carving icebergs that thunder into the surrounding fjords and inlets. Prince William Sound’s calm and gentle waters provide homes for a thriving spectrum of marine and bird life. Countless islands dot the seascape while ebbing tides unveil rocky shores and tide pools adorned with an array of intertidal life. Summer into fall sunlight paints the meadows and marshes with colorful plants and wildflowers.

Many came to know Prince William Sound through the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. This environmental disaster rocked the world as media displayed images of polluted landscape and oil-coated wildlife that horrified the viewers. Today, the Sound has recovered remarkably well; however, long-term negative effects of the oil pollution remain and scientists work diligently to determine the ultimate impact on the ecosystem, wildlife, and human communities.

Please arrive in Anchorage, Alaska no later than early afternoon on the day before the trip start date . Better yet, consider arriving one to two days early so can explore the city, get used to any time zone changes, and feel assured that any delays for you or your luggage won’t impact your cruise. The first night will be spent in a bed-and-breakfast of your choice (not included in the trip cost) near downtown Anchorage. We will gather at 5:00 p.m. for an orientation dinner (included in the trip cost) at a nearby restaurant. After the five-night trip on the M/V Discovery, we will return to your bed-and-breakfast for our last night and gather for a farewell dinner (neither included in the trip cost). Participants will be transferred (on their own) to the Anchorage airport. 

Day 0: Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to your own downtown bed-and-breakfast (not included) for a comfortable night's stay. Downtown Anchorage offers convenient access to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a network of developed hiking and bicycling trails throughout the Anchorage area. A walk or bike ride is recommended for the afternoon or evening, if time allows. In clear weather, the views of the Alaska Range are spectacular! We will meet at 5:00 p.m. for an orientation and then walk to dinner (included) at a nearby restaurant.

Day 1: After breakfast, we will be picked up by a Discovery staff member at 10:00 a.m. for the scenic ride along Turnagain Arm, known for its tremendous tidal flats and frequent sightings of beluga whales. We will continue south through the Chugach mountains to rendezvous with Captain Dean Rand and the crew in Whittier for a warm welcome aboard the M/V Discovery. While the crew prepares for departure, you can relax in the Discovery’s cozy salon and enjoy specially prepared appetizers of smoked salmon or halibut spread with crackers, fresh baked breads, fruits, and a plentiful selection of fine beverages.  

Days 2-5: Mornings aboard the Discovery are usually relaxed with a casual open breakfast served from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Enjoy a variety of warm fresh breads, muffins, rolls, fruits, cereals, various warm egg dishes, juices, coffee and tea.

As we enjoy our breakfast each day, Captain Rand will study winds and weather, and decide on the route for the day, as well as the activities that can be safely offered.  After either a Zodiac ride to shore for a walk or an outing by kayak, we return to our ship for a delicious cooked lunch, and in the afternoon are in position for another activity.

We aim for either a kayaking activity or a shore walk between breakfast and lunch, and another similar activity between lunch and dinner.  We could also choose to spend a lengthy time at the base of a glacier, simply watching the calving that occurs over time, and observing the rich bird and seal life that find refuge on the ice chunks near the base of glaciers. Participants may choose to remain onboard during any given activity if they simply wish to relax.

As we motor through the sound, the captain and crew will be on the lookout for interesting wildlife, and will alert us to passing otters, whales, dolphins, seals, jellies and unusual birds. We are also always scanning for black bears that may be foraging along the shore.

Lunches aboard Discovery often include an appetizer or a delicious warm soup, plus a hot casserole. Dinners are typically served with a salad, vegetables, and a meat or vegetarian entrée. Dessert is always a treat to look forward to. It is amazing to experience the delicious and varied gourmet meals and snacks that can be produced for us in the small galley of our ship!

There are wonderful routes east or south through the sound, but a precise sailing itinerary is impossible to predict in advance.  We may find ourselves visiting small rocky islets where sea lions haul out to bask in the sun, following the intricate shorelines of larger islands, or gliding quietly through narrow passages where we get close views of the old-growth forests of Western hemlock and Sitka spruce.

On several days we will experience the splendor of massive tidewater glaciers, noting the striated patterns of moraine inclusion and deep azure crevasses, watching and listening for the spectacular calving that is a constant feature of these rivers of ice. From our small ship we can safely approach the base, allowing for brilliant photos. As we approach any glacier we will be cruising through brash ice (smaller pieces of glacial ice) where seals and sea birds use larger chunks for safety as they rest or hunt. We’ll stop to watch them as they watch us!

The crew has a large inventory of interesting walks on shore, accessed by a short ride in a motorized raft, often uphill to glorious vantage points. On this fall trip we can expect to graze on wild blueberries and bog cranberries as we walk. 

Many days we can look forward to finding calm places to explore by kayak. Discovery has a number of single kayaks on board and three double kayaks, all stable and easy to paddle. By dinner time we are sailing into a remote and hidden fjord for the night’s anchorage.

Day 6: Guests awake to a casual breakfast and an exciting last day of some of the world’s most spectacular scenery corridors. We hope to be in the icy blue waters of Barry Arm. The enveloping mountains of this inlet stretch skyward to nearly 10,000 feet, with glacier after glacier descending the terraced mountain valleys.

Appetizers are served while you take in the final sights of Port Wells – keep your cameras handy for shots of playful otters – and Passage Canal prior to docking in the Whittier Harbor and taking our van transfer to Anchorage.

We will overnight at the B+B of your choice in Downtown Anchorage and gather for a farewell dinner (not included).

After the trip:  After breakfast, transfer on your own to the airport for departures home, or you may choose to extend your stay in Alaska. 

Getting There

Please arrive in Anchorage, Alaska Alaska no later than early afternoon on the day before the trip begins for the pre-trip dinner. Better yet, consider arriving one to two days early so can explore the city, get used to any time zone changes, and feel assured that any delays for you or your luggage won’t impact your cruise. The night before the trip officially begins will be spent in a bed-and-breakfast of your choice (not included in the trip cost) near downtown Anchorage. We will gather at 5:00 p.m. for an orientation dinner (included in the trip cost) at a nearby restaurant. After the five-night trip on the M/V Discovery, we will return to your bed-and-breakfast for our last night and gather for a farewell dinner (neither included in the trip cost). Participants will be transferred (on their own) to the Anchorage airport.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

The first and last night’s stay at a downtown Anchorage bed-and-breakfast are not included and should be booked separately by each participant. The trip begins with our first orientation and dinner at a nearby Anchorage restaurant and are included in the trip price. All vegetarian-friendly, gourmet meals, beverages, snacks and appetizers are included while on the M/V Discovery for six days and five nights. Lodging is on the M/V Discovery (a 65-foot classic working yacht). Each cabin has an upper and lower single berth. Cabins will be shared either with a traveling partner or with another participant of the same gender.

Trip Difficulty

This is a modestly active trip. Participants may choose an activity such as hiking or kayaking every day, or they may remain on the boat if they elect to simply relax. Shore walks can be on spongy soil, through stands of trees and brush with some exposed roots, or occasionally on trails, but there may be some scrambling over rocky surfaces that could be slippery. Elevation gain while hiking is not over about 300 feet. While hiking, participants will need to carry a day pack with approximately 10 pounds of personal gear and two quarts of water. Kayaking will be in single or two-person sea kayaks that are on board the Discovery. Kayaking is not guaranteed to be offered each day, as this activity is always dependent on weather and ice conditions. While snow is unlikely, it could rain almost any time of the day or night. September weather in Southeastern Alaska can be mild and even sunny, or it can be quite cool as the region prepares for the onset of winter. Alaska travelers are always prepared for either.

Participants should be able to negotiate stairs and narrow boat passages, and be able to enter and exit a kayak from a ship's ladder, although they will be well assisted. Going to shore will require climbing into and out of a small motorized rubber craft called a Zodiac; it's fun to learn how to stay dry while going ashore!

Most people with average agility, balance, and physical fitness will find this trip suitable.

Equipment and Clothing

All kayaking equipment is provided, including gloves, rubber boots and PFDs (life vests). The boots are also perfect for our shore walks through usually soggy terrain - you can leave your hiking boots at home. Rain pants and jackets are available on board, or you can bring your own. Layered comfortable and casual clothing is the norm for Alaska, where conditions will range from sunny to rainy and warm to cool. A detailed list of equipment and clothing will be sent to participants upon acceptance for the trip.

References

Book:

• Lethcoe, Jim and Nancy. A History of Prince William Sound.

Websites:

• http://www.discoveryvoyages.com/
• http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5252676.pdf
• http://alaskaconservation.org/conservation-issues/
• http://alaskaconservationblog.com/
• http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recarea/?recid=71946

Conservation

Conservation issues in Alaska are huge, just like the state. We will discuss the status of the Nellie Juan-College Fjord Wilderness Study Area, Arctic protection from oil and gas development (a Sierra Club priority issue), and conservation concerns relating to Alaska's other national forest, the Tongass. Our guides will be educating us regarding the natural and physical surroundings we will be in, and have much knowledge to share regarding their protection. Among other Alaska topics that we will likely discuss are updates on the proposed Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay watershed, the planned Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric project, the effects of the Fire Island Wind Farm on birds and other wildlife, and the state-wide effects of climate change.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.