Cascade Creek and Petersburg, Alaska , 6/5/2023, National Geographic Venture
Aboard the
National Geographic Venture
Alaska
In the early hours of June 5, a large number of guests joined the natural history staff of National Geographic Venture to hike at Cascade Creek. It was our first foray into the Tongass National Rainforest, and even though it was raining, it was a great pre-brunch adventure.
After brunch we docked in Petersburg, Alaska, known as ‘the city of Vikings’ and ‘the town that fish built.’ Various activities were on offer, including walks through the muskeg, bike rides around town, and a cultural hiking tour.
I like to remind people that there are very few big surprises left in life, but if you are out in nature, with an open mind and a lot of time, you never know what you will find.
Today offered no shortage of hiking adventures through the lush forests of Southeast Alaska. Guests aboard National Geographic Venture enjoyed a variety of hikes at Cascade Creek, including long, moderate, and photo-specific options. Cascade Creek is known for its beautiful waterfalls, and hikers adventurous enough to climb steep rocks using rope handles were rewarded with a sighting of a rough-skinned newt, an uncommon species of salamander. In the afternoon, guests explored Ruth Island, located just across the bay from Cascade Creek. Some hikers experienced their first bushwhack, making their way through thick shrubs, thorny devil’s club, and muddy bogs. Others wandered slowly through the forest, captivated by the many species of lichens, mosses, and plants along the way.
A day of Zodiac cruising in Basket Bay on Chichagof Island brought wild beauty and unforgettable encounters. As the morning mist thinned, we traced the rugged shoreline beneath towering forested cliffs, where ochre sea stars clung to rocks and dense clusters of blue mussels covered the intertidal zone like armor. Bald eagles circled overhead, and a river otter slipped along the kelp-strewn shore. Not long into our cruise, a humpback whale surfaced nearby, vanishing as suddenly as it appeared. Then, the real show began. A pod of five orcas emerged from the north, cutting through the water with smooth, deliberate power. Their tall dorsal fins knifed the surface in silence as we viewed them from a respectful distance, the pod weaving in and out of view among the swells. Onshore, waterfalls thundered from the cliffs, swollen with rain, sending spray across the rocks. The air smelled of salt and cedar. We lingered near one cascade, engines low, taking in the raw energy of water meeting sea. By the time we turned back toward the anchorage, the sky had turned dark and williwaws descended upon us. We were all smiles as memories of our special orca encounter shone brightly.
This morning, we awoke to the sun. Our adventures began with a series of hikes at Bartlett Cove, followed by a look at the Tribal House and at Snow, the humpback whale skeleton. We began our cruise north, past wild coastlines to the far extent of Margerie Glacier. Along the way we spotted abundant wildlife, including brown bears, moose, mountain goats, sea otters, sea lions, humpbacks, harbor porpoises, and even a porcupine. Expedition Leader Marylou could barely hold a briefing without getting interrupted by a sighting, but no one on board was complaining!
