Jimmy Carter once wrote an article, celebrating the national parks of Alaska. Most importantly, he emphasized the Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation Act, that he had signed into effect during his Presidency. He states that “National parks in Alaska contain the largest units in the National park system. Alaska parks represent two-thirds of the acres in the entire parks system and three-fourths of our wilderness areas.” Alaska is home to eight national parks, all with marvelous scenery, diverse wildlife, and appealing landscapes (Curran). Most important, they may just be the last ones created at such a large size.
Among the eight national parks, Kenai Fjords National Park is roughly 607,000 acres in size, lying just on the edge of the Kenai Peninsula (Princess Lodges). It is considered the smallest national park in Alaska. “Fjord” is a Norwegian term for a glacier-carved inlet. Snow and ice cover 60 percent of the park. Kenai Fjords includes three main areas, Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield, and the coast. The Harding Icefield is one of only four remaining ice fields in the United States and is the largest ice field in the US currently. It contains nearly 40 massive glaciers. These glaciers pour down, carving valleys that will fill with water to ultimately form fjords and icebergs the size of houses (National Parks). The fjords have created habitats for many sea animals, as well as seabirds, who utilize the lands for migration and congregation. Kenai Fjords was originally established as a national monument in 1978 but became a national park in 1980 (NPS.gov). The purpose of this national park is to preserve the fjord and rainforest ecosystems, the massive icefield, and the abundant wildlife. The history of Kenai Fjords is not only based around geology and landforms, but also the natives. Archeological evidence has found that the region has been home to Alaska Natives, also known as the Sugpiaq, for thousands of years (Project Jukebox). More recently, hunters, fisherman, fox farmers, and miners have made use of the lands. The bitter cold does not stop wildlife from thriving here, the icy waters and lush forests in this area are home to many living things. The Sugpiag had established camps around the coastline, now home to tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife. The wild array of wildlife found on the harsh terrain of the land includes black and brown bears, beaver, coyote, mountain goat, river otter, moose, gray wolf and wolverine. Marine wildlife within the bitter, glacial waters include sea otters, porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, and whales. The park is also a welcoming habitat for birds, where a total of 191 species have been documented (Princess Lodges). Bald eagles swoop off the towering cliffs and peregrine falcons hunt over the outer lands.
The rocks that make up Kenai Fjords National Park have sometimes been carried great distances. Some rock within Kenai Fjords was once coral reef close to the equator (Curran). In the western end of the park, minerals scraped from the ocean floor is mixed with limestone. Fossils have been found in these rock inserts. The entire coastline of Alaska is made of a mixture of terranes and local igneous material. Kenai Fjords coastline also contains peninsulas, rocky headlands, and hundreds of quiet bays and coves (NPS.gov). The North Atlantic oceanic plate subducts beneath the park. The Kenai Mountains are gradually sinking below the sea. This can be proven by the half-moon coves found in Aialik Bay. The massive glaciers of the park originated nearly 1.8 million years ago. Kenai Fjords has many capes and cliffs that hover over the pounding waves. The rock found in Cape Resurrection is pillow basalt, a type of igneous rock, which formed when lava flowed out underneath the water and cooled rapidly (NPS.gov). The bubbled texture that is created is home to nesting birds.
Park trips are not strictly reserved for warm summer days, you’re going to want to take some time off in the Winter (early November-May) to visit Kenai Fjords. For recommendations on the best ways to get around the park, you can visit the Kenai Fjords National Park Information Center, located near the small boat harbor. They will provide you with maps or tour guides to fit your needs. Glacier cruises are a popular way to get around the park for this is the best way to see a variety of marine wildlife. Glaciers and wildlife are the main focus points of this park just outside of Seward. The Harding Ice Field is 700 square miles containing massive glaciers spilling down toward the sea (National Parks). During your trip, Exit Glacier is something you definitely are not going to want to miss. Sure, you can visit in the summer months, the road to Exit Glacier will be clear for automobiles, but during the winter months is when the excitement begins. Once the road to Exit Glacier becomes snow covered and closed to cars, it is still accessible by skis, snowmobiles, or dogsled. Winter is also one of the best times to spot moose at Exit Glacier. Snowmobiles are not allowed in the park until the park superintendent has deemed that there is adequate snow cover. Snowmobile use is usually open from November through April. If snowmobiles are not your thing, skiing is also very popular. After your snowy venture, Kenai Fjords has facilities such as warming huts, with wood stoves and benches. And if you really want to get a once-in-a-lifetime winter backcountry experience, the Willow Public Use Cabin can be rented by the night. The summer months also have enjoyable activities for a family vacation. Kayaking, fishing, beach combing, bicycling, and hiking are just a few examples of the recreational activities that the park offers. Hiking can be a great way to explore the aspects of the park that boat tours and snow mobiles might not reach.
Weather in the Gulf of Alaska during the winter can be cold and unpredictable. Accessing the fjords and tidewater glaciers during the winter can be very challenging. Kenai Fjords offers several amenities to ensure that the whole family will still have a great time. A winter shuttle service is available through the park, providing scenic tours and guided snowshoe walks. Winter boat tours are offered in Resurrection Bay, and if you’re lucky you may be able to see icebergs slowly tumble into the water, whales, sea lions, otters, and seals. Most boat tours stop close to the sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, allow you to take excellent photos. Tours by traditional dog sled are also a great way to access and enjoy the park during the snowy season. From November through March, guests are permitted to partake in ice climbing on the glacier’s terminus. However, keep in mind that ice climbing opportunities are very limited depending on ice conditions. If you are coming to this park to experience the history and culture you will not leave disappointed. The mission of Kenai Fjords if to preserve and protect the national and cultural history. The park maintains a considerably sized museum collection of more than 250,000 objects, representing the history of the area.
Today, the glaciers that are the center of Kenai Fjords, are shrinking dramatically. Showing just how detrimental the effects of global warming can be. When you walk up to Exit Glacier, you are able to see just how rapidly it has retreated over the last century. As park glaciers continue to shrink at an alarming rate, more bedrock is exposed. The Barack Obama administration addressed this problem in 2015. Exit Glacier has lost about a mile and a half over the last couple hundred years. But the pace of reductions of the glacier are accelerating rapidly every year (Obama). This glacier has become so important because it is one of the most studied glaciers due to its easily accessibility. Studies have shown that the eroding of the glaciers indicates less snow which will ultimately lead to hotter, longer summers. It also shows the rising sea levels and the harsh effects it has on the ecosystems within the park. Current habitats will not be ideal anymore, so wildlife populations will dramatically decline. Obama states that there should be urgency when addressing this devastating problem. Kenai Fjords is rich in history and culture, but visitor attraction will decline with the erosion of the glaciers. These glaciers are spectacular pieces of history and something that we want future generations to see.