The geology of Southeast Alaska is characterized by great waterways, mountainous islands, lush temperate rainforests, and massive glaciers. Transportation between towns is by boat or plane only. There are no roads connecting the isolated communities of Southeast Alaska
Compared to other parts of Alaska, summers in Southeast are wet and cool.
The abundant wildlife and diverse landscape of the region make it a prime destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. Whales, sea lions, and sea otters can be seen in the waters of the Inside Passage. Eagles are a common sight around Juneau. When the salmon are running, you can even observe brown bears fishing at Chilkat State Park in Haines or in Starrigavan Recreation Area, outside of Sitka.
But there is a darker side to all this beauty, one that visitors rarely see. Most of the rainforests in Southeast are located within the boundaries of the 16.8-million-acre Tongass National Forest. Over the past 50 years the National Forest Service has allowed the Tongass to be pillaged by the logging industry. Vast areas of the nation’s largest forest have been clear cut. Instead of thinning out the forest - and keeping it sustainable - the logging giants of Southeast have chosen to maximize their profits by clear cutting, leaving a devastated forest in their wake.
Glacier Bay National Park, located about 40 miles west of Juneau, Alaska, is comprised of 3.3 million acres of mountainous terrain, tidewater glaciers, temperate rainforests, rugged coastline, and sheltered fjords.
Surrounded by the ice- and snow-clad peaks of the Chilkat and Fairweather Mountains, Glacier Bay National Park contains some of the most stunning glacial landscapes anywhere. Wildlife in the park includes both marine mammals and terrestrial creatures who have migrated there from the surrounding wilderness areas. Glacier Bay National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site. And for good reason. Unfortunately, the vast majority of park visitors only see Glacier Bay from aboard a large tour boat without ever experiencing its wonders on their own.
Despite its stunning wild beauty Glacier Bay has become a case study in the disastrous effects of global warming on the earth’s environment. Just 200 years ago the whole area that we now call Glacier Bay was covered in ice. All that remains of that sheet of ice now are 11 tidewater glaciers, eight of which are located 40 miles away from park headquarters in an area of the park called the West Arm. The creation of a 65-mile-long deep water bay from melting glaciers - in less then 200 years - speaks volumes on the need to deal with global warming before it’s too late.
