What Makes Hubbard Glacier So Special?
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to witness a 400-foot wall of ancient ice thundering into the ocean? Hubbard Glacier offers exactly that experience, standing as one of Alaska’s most spectacular natural wonders. Unlike most glaciers worldwide that are retreating due to climate change, this magnificent ice giant has been steadily advancing for over a century, earning it the nickname “the Galloping Glacier.”
Located in the pristine wilderness of southeastern Alaska, Hubbard Glacier represents nature’s raw power in its purest form. When massive chunks of ice calve from its terminus, the sound echoes like thunder across Disenchantment Bay, creating an unforgettable symphony that visitors describe as both humbling and exhilarating.
Location and Geography
Hubbard Glacier flows from the Saint Elias Mountains down through Canada’s Yukon Territory before terminating in Alaska’s Disenchantment Bay, near Yakutat. This international glacier originates from the Hubbard Névé, a massive ice field that spans approximately 1,350 square miles. The glacier’s journey from its source to the sea covers roughly 76 miles, making it longer than Manhattan is wide—and then some!
The glacier sits within both Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve on the American side and Kluane National Park and Reserve in Canada. This cross-border location adds to its significance as an international natural treasure, requiring cooperation between both nations for its study and preservation.
Size and Scale: North America’s Largest Tidewater Glacier
When we talk about Hubbard Glacier’s impressive dimensions, the numbers are truly staggering. At its terminus, the glacier face stretches approximately 5.5 miles wide and rises up to 400 feet above sea level. But here’s the kicker—what you see above water is just the tip of the iceberg, literally. The underwater portion extends another 300 feet below the surface, creating a total ice wall height of about 700 feet.
To put this in perspective, imagine a wall of ice taller than a 60-story skyscraper stretching across a distance longer than the Golden Gate Bridge. The glacier’s total length of 76 miles makes it longer than the distance from Washington D.C. to Baltimore. These aren’t just numbers on paper—they represent one of the most impressive displays of nature’s architectural prowess you’ll find anywhere on Earth.
The Formation and History of Hubbard Glacier
Geological Origins
Understanding Hubbard Glacier’s formation takes us back thousands of years to when massive snowfalls in the Saint Elias Mountains began accumulating faster than they could melt. Over millennia, these snow layers compressed into dense ice, creating the glacier’s foundation. The unique geography of the region, with its deep valleys and steep mountain slopes, provided the perfect pathway for this ice river to flow toward the sea.
The glacier’s ice isn’t just frozen water—it’s a historical record. Some of the ice near the terminus contains atmospheric particles and debris from hundreds of years ago, making the glacier a natural time capsule. Scientists can study ice cores from Hubbard Glacier to understand past climate conditions, volcanic eruptions, and even pollution levels from different historical periods.
Historical Timeline and Discovery
European explorers first documented Hubbard Glacier in 1794 during Captain George Vancouver’s expedition. However, the glacier received its current name much later, in 1890, honoring Gardiner Greene Hubbard, the first president of the National Geographic Society and Alexander Graham Bell’s father-in-law.
The glacier’s recorded behavior has been fascinating from the start. While most glaciers began retreating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hubbard started its remarkable advance around 1895. This counterintuitive behavior has made it a subject of intense scientific interest and study for over a century.
Unique Characteristics That Set Hubbard Glacier Apart
The Advancing Glacier Phenomenon
What makes Hubbard Glacier truly remarkable isn’t just its size—it’s the fact that it’s growing. In an era when glaciers worldwide are retreating at alarming rates, Hubbard has been steadily advancing at a rate of approximately 80 feet per year. This advancement isn’t a recent phenomenon either; it’s been documented for more than 125 years.
Scientists attribute this unusual behavior to several factors. The glacier’s massive accumulation zone in the Saint Elias Mountains receives enormous amounts of snowfall—sometimes over 100 feet annually. Additionally, the glacier’s geometry and the deep underwater trench it sits in create conditions that promote advancement rather than retreat.
Calving Events and Ice Formations
The calving events at Hubbard Glacier are nothing short of spectacular. When sections of the glacier break away and crash into Disenchantment Bay, they create waves that can reach 100 feet high. These events happen unpredictably throughout the day, making every moment near the glacier an anticipation-filled experience.
The glacier produces various types of ice formations, from house-sized chunks to massive tabular bergs. The ice often displays stunning blue coloration, particularly visible in overcast conditions when the compressed ice reveals its true sapphire hues. This blue ice forms when air bubbles are squeezed out under immense pressure, creating dense ice that absorbs red wavelengths of light while reflecting blue.
The Famous Russell Fjord Damming Events
Hubbard Glacier has made headlines several times for temporarily damming Russell Fjord, most notably in 1986 and 2002. During these events, the advancing glacier blocked the fjord’s outlet to Disenchantment Bay, creating a temporary lake and trapping marine animals. These rare geological events demonstrate the glacier’s dynamic nature and its significant impact on the local ecosystem.
The 1986 damming event was particularly dramatic, lasting several months and raising water levels in Russell Fjord by over 80 feet. When the ice dam finally broke, it created a massive outflow that could be heard for miles. These events provide scientists with unique opportunities to study rapid environmental changes and their effects on local wildlife.
Wildlife Around Hubbard Glacier
Marine Life in Disenchantment Bay
The waters around Hubbard Glacier teem with life, creating an underwater ecosystem as impressive as the glacier itself. Harbor seals frequently haul out on icebergs, using them as floating platforms to rest and escape predators. These seals have adapted to the glacier’s dynamic environment, often diving to impressive depths to feed on fish and crustaceans.
Steller sea lions also frequent the area, their massive bulls weighing up to 2,500 pounds. The nutrient-rich waters support abundant fish populations, including salmon, halibut, and rockfish. The glacier’s freshwater input creates unique salinity gradients that different species exploit for feeding and reproduction.
Whales are perhaps the most exciting wildlife encounter for visitors. Humpback whales regularly feed in the bay, performing spectacular breaches and bubble-net feeding displays. Orcas patrol the deeper waters, while harbor porpoises dart through the shallows. The contrast of these marine giants against the backdrop of the towering glacier creates unforgettable wildlife viewing opportunities.
Bird Species and Arctic Wildlife
The skies around Hubbard Glacier come alive with various bird species that have adapted to this harsh environment. Arctic terns perform their incredible migrations here, traveling from Arctic to Antarctic and back—the longest migration of any bird species. These graceful fliers often dive for fish in the glacier’s outflow waters.
Bald eagles soar overhead, taking advantage of the abundant fish and marine mammal activity. Kittiwakes nest on nearby cliffs, their calls adding to the natural soundtrack of the glacier environment. During summer months, puffins can be spotted diving for fish, their colorful beaks making them easy to identify against the blue-white ice backdrop.
On land, brown bears occasionally venture to the shoreline, particularly during salmon runs. Mountain goats navigate the steep terrain with remarkable agility, while Dall sheep graze on the sparse vegetation of the high alpine zones. These terrestrial species remind visitors that the glacier exists within a complete ecosystem extending far beyond the ice itself.
Climate Change Impact on Hubbard Glacier
Surprising Growth in a Warming World
Hubbard Glacier presents a fascinating paradox in our warming world. While over 95% of glaciers globally are retreating, Hubbard continues its steady advance. This doesn’t mean the glacier is immune to climate change—rather, it demonstrates the complex factors that influence glacier behavior.
The glacier’s continued growth results from its unique geographical position and massive accumulation zone. The Saint Elias Mountains act as a barrier to moisture-laden Pacific storms, causing extreme snowfall in the glacier’s upper reaches. Even with rising temperatures, the accumulation of snow and ice in the névé outpaces melting at the terminus.
However, scientists note that even Hubbard Glacier shows signs of climate sensitivity. The rate of advancement has slowed in recent decades, and computer models suggest that continued warming could eventually reverse its growth trend. The glacier serves as a natural laboratory for understanding how different glaciers respond to changing climate conditions.
Scientific Research and Monitoring
Researchers from multiple institutions continuously monitor Hubbard Glacier using satellite imagery, ground-based measurements, and underwater surveys. This research helps scientists understand not only the glacier’s behavior but also broader patterns of ice sheet dynamics and climate response.
The data collected from Hubbard Glacier contributes to global climate models and helps improve predictions about sea level rise. While this single glacier won’t significantly impact global sea levels, understanding its mechanics provides insights into how larger ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica might behave under different warming scenarios.
Scientists also study the glacier’s impact on ocean chemistry and marine ecosystems. The massive freshwater input from Hubbard affects local salinity levels, water temperature, and nutrient distribution—all factors that influence marine life throughout the region.
Visiting Hubbard Glacier: A Complete Travel Guide
Best Times to Visit
Planning your visit to Hubbard Glacier requires careful consideration of Alaska’s seasonal patterns. The prime viewing season runs from May through September, when cruise ships can safely navigate the ice-filled waters of Disenchantment Bay. Each month offers distinct advantages and experiences.
May and early June provide excellent opportunities to see the glacier in pristine winter conditions, with more ice and potentially more dramatic calving events. The longer daylight hours—up to 19 hours in June—give visitors extended viewing time. However, weather can be unpredictable, with possible snow and cooler temperatures.
July and August represent peak season, offering the warmest weather and calmest seas. These months provide the best chances of clear skies for photography and comfortable viewing conditions. Wildlife activity peaks during this period, with whales, seals, and birds most active in the warming waters.
September offers a unique experience with the beginning of fall colors and fewer crowds. The changing season creates dramatic lighting conditions, and the aurora borealis begins to appear on clear nights, adding another layer of natural wonder to the glacier experience.
Cruise Options and Tour Operators
Most visitors experience Hubbard Glacier via cruise ship, as the glacier’s remote location makes it inaccessible by road. Several cruise lines offer different approaches to glacier viewing, from large ships that maintain safe distances to smaller vessels that can navigate closer to the ice face.
Large cruise ships typically spend 2-4 hours positioned in Disenchantment Bay, allowing passengers multiple opportunities to witness calving events and photograph the glacier from various angles. These ships offer amenities like heated viewing decks, professional naturalist guides, and specialized glacier-viewing events.
Smaller expedition ships provide more intimate experiences, often spending longer periods near the glacier and offering zodiac boat excursions for closer encounters. These vessels typically carry 100-200 passengers compared to the 2,000+ on large cruise ships, creating a more personal and flexible viewing experience.
Popular Cruise Lines Serving Hubbard Glacier
Major cruise lines including Princess Cruises, Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line regularly visit Hubbard Glacier during Alaska cruise season. Each offers different itineraries, ship sizes, and onboard experiences, allowing visitors to choose based on their preferences and budget.
Expedition companies like Lindblad Expeditions and UnCruise Adventures provide smaller ship experiences with expert naturalists, underwater cameras, and specialized glacier equipment. These cruises often combine Hubbard Glacier with other remote destinations, creating comprehensive Alaska wilderness experiences.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Your Hubbard Glacier experience begins long before reaching the terminus. The approach through Yakutat Bay and Disenchantment Bay offers stunning mountain views and opportunities to spot wildlife. The anticipation builds as the glacier comes into view, its massive ice face dominating the horizon.
Ships typically position themselves about half a mile from the glacier face—close enough to hear calving events but safe from potential ice falls and resulting waves. The constant creaking and groaning of the glacier creates an otherworldly soundtrack, punctuated by the thunderous crashes of calving ice.
Expect to spend several hours in the bay, with ships often rotating position to give all passengers optimal viewing angles. Many visitors report feeling overwhelmed by the glacier’s scale and power—it’s common to need time to process the immensity of what you’re witnessing.
Photography Tips for Hubbard Glacier
Equipment Recommendations
Photographing Hubbard Glacier successfully requires preparation and the right equipment. A telephoto lens (200-400mm) allows you to capture detailed shots of the glacier face and wildlife without requiring dangerous proximity. Wide-angle lenses (16-35mm) excel at capturing the glacier’s massive scale and surrounding landscape.
Bring extra batteries, as cold temperatures drain battery life faster than normal. Consider a polarizing filter to reduce glare from ice and water, enhancing contrast and color saturation. A sturdy tripod helps with stability during longer exposures, particularly useful for capturing the motion of calving ice or creating artistic water effects.
Weather protection for your camera equipment is essential. Sudden weather changes are common in Alaska, and spray from calving events can reach considerable distances. Waterproof camera bags and lens cloths become invaluable accessories during your glacier photography session.
Best Viewing Angles and Timing
The most dramatic photographs often come during overcast conditions when the glacier’s blue ice becomes more visible and pronounced. Bright sunshine can create harsh shadows and wash out the ice’s natural coloration, while cloudy skies provide even lighting that brings out subtle details and textures.
Position yourself on the ship’s upper decks for unobstructed views and better angles. The glacier face changes appearance throughout the day as lighting conditions shift, so take multiple shots from the same position at different times. Early morning and late evening often provide the most dramatic lighting, with low-angle sun creating long shadows and golden highlights.
Don’t forget to include scale references in your compositions—ships, icebergs, or wildlife help viewers understand the glacier’s true immensity. Wide shots establish context, while telephoto images capture intricate ice formations and textures that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Conservation Efforts and Environmental Protection
National Park Service Management
Hubbard Glacier’s location within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve places it under National Park Service protection, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The park service regulates vessel traffic, monitors environmental impacts, and conducts ongoing research to understand the glacier’s behavior and ecosystem effects.
Strict guidelines govern how close ships can approach the glacier, balancing visitor experience with safety and environmental protection. These regulations help minimize disturbance to wildlife while protecting visitors from the unpredictable nature of calving events and resulting waves.
The park service also coordinates with Canadian authorities to manage the glacier’s international aspects. This cooperation ensures consistent protection standards across the glacier’s entire drainage basin and promotes shared research initiatives that benefit both nations’ understanding of glacier dynamics.
Research Initiatives
Multiple research programs focus on Hubbard Glacier, studying everything from ice dynamics to marine ecosystem impacts. Scientists use the glacier as a natural laboratory to understand climate change effects, glacier behavior, and ecosystem interactions in polar environments.
Long-term monitoring programs track the glacier’s advancement, ice thickness changes, and calving rates. This data contributes to global databases used for climate modeling and helps scientists understand how glaciers respond to changing environmental conditions.
Marine research focuses on how the glacier’s freshwater input affects ocean chemistry, marine food chains, and species distribution. These studies help scientists understand broader implications of glacier changes for marine ecosystems and commercial fisheries.
Comparing Hubbard Glacier to Other Famous Glaciers
Hubbard Glacier stands unique among the world’s famous glaciers for several reasons. Unlike Glacier Bay’s retreating glaciers or Norway’s shrinking ice fields, Hubbard’s advancing nature makes it an anomaly in today’s changing climate. Its sheer size dwarfs most accessible glaciers—even Alaska’s famous Mendenhall Glacier seems small by comparison.
Compared to Patagonia’s Perito Moreno Glacier, another advancing glacier, Hubbard’s tidewater termination creates more dynamic calving events and marine interactions. While Perito Moreno advances into a lake, Hubbard’s ocean terminus creates entirely different physical and biological dynamics.
The glacier’s accessibility via cruise ship makes it more visitor-friendly than many comparable ice giants. Antarctic glaciers may be larger, but they require expensive expedition travel. Greenland’s glaciers face similar accessibility challenges, making Hubbard Glacier one of the most impressive glaciers easily accessible to general travelers.
Planning Your Alaskan Adventure
Accommodation Options
Most Hubbard Glacier visitors stay aboard cruise ships, but several land-based options exist for those wanting extended Alaska experiences. Yakutat offers limited accommodation in small lodges and bed-and-breakfasts, providing authentic Alaskan experiences away from cruise ship crowds.
Anchorage serves as the primary hub for Alaska travel, offering everything from luxury hotels to budget accommodations. Many visitors combine their glacier cruise with pre- or post-cruise stays in Anchorage, allowing time to explore additional Alaska attractions like Denali National Park or the Kenai Peninsula.
For adventure travelers, wilderness lodges in the greater Yakutat area provide opportunities for fishing, bear viewing, and hiking in areas rarely visited by tourists. These accommodations often include guided activities and specialized access to remote locations throughout the region.
Additional Attractions in the Area
The Hubbard Glacier region offers numerous attractions beyond the glacier itself. Yakutat Bay provides world-class salmon and halibut fishing opportunities. Local guides offer day trips targeting multiple species in some of Alaska’s most pristine fishing waters.
Bear viewing opportunities abound during salmon runs, particularly along the region’s numerous streams and rivers. Professional guides can position visitors safely for photography and observation of brown bears in their natural habitat.
The area’s Native Alaska heritage adds cultural dimensions to any visit. Local Tlingit communities offer cultural programs, traditional art demonstrations, and historical perspectives on the region’s human history dating back thousands of years.
Mountain hiking and wilderness exploration opportunities exist for adventurous visitors. The Saint Elias Mountains provide world-class mountaineering challenges, while easier day hikes offer accessible ways to experience Alaska’s wilderness character.
Conclusion
Hubbard Glacier represents one of nature’s most impressive and unique spectacles. Its massive scale, advancing nature, and pristine setting create an experience that stays with visitors long after they’ve returned home. In a world where most glaciers are retreating, Hubbard stands as a testament to the complex and sometimes surprising ways our planet responds to changing conditions.
Whether you’re drawn by the thunderous calving events, the abundant wildlife, or simply the humbling experience of witnessing such raw natural power, Hubbard Glacier delivers an unforgettable encounter with one of Earth’s most dynamic landscapes. The glacier serves not just as a tourist destination, but as a living laboratory helping scientists understand our changing planet.
Planning a visit to this magnificent glacier rewards travelers with memories that last a lifetime. From the anticipation of approaching the ice face to the awe-inspiring moments of witnessing massive ice chunks crash into the sea, Hubbard Glacier provides a profound connection to the natural world that few experiences can match.
As we continue to study and learn from this remarkable glacier, it reminds us of both nature’s power and fragility. Hubbard Glacier stands as proof that our planet still holds surprises and that some natural wonders continue to thrive even in challenging times.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How close can cruise ships get to Hubbard Glacier?
Cruise ships typically maintain a distance of approximately half a mile (800 meters) from Hubbard Glacier’s terminus for safety reasons. This distance protects passengers from potential ice falls and the resulting waves while still providing excellent viewing and photography opportunities.
2. Why is Hubbard Glacier advancing while most other glaciers are retreating?
Hubbard Glacier advances because its massive accumulation zone in the Saint Elias Mountains receives enormous snowfall—sometimes over 100 feet annually. The snow accumulation in the upper glacier exceeds melting at the terminus, causing the glacier to grow despite regional warming trends.
3. What’s the best time of year to see dramatic calving events at Hubbard Glacier?
Calving events occur year-round and are unpredictable, but they tend to be more frequent and dramatic during warmer months (June through August) when ice movement is most active. However, the glacier’s advancing nature means calving can happen spectacularly at any time during the cruise season.
4. Can you visit Hubbard Glacier without taking a cruise?
While cruise ships provide the most common access, small charter boats from Yakutat offer alternative viewing opportunities. However, there are no roads to the glacier, making boat access the only practical option for visitors. Flying over the glacier is possible but doesn’t provide the same intimate experience.
5. What wildlife can visitors expect to see around Hubbard Glacier?
Visitors commonly observe harbor seals, Steller sea lions, humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, and various seabirds. During certain seasons, brown bears may be visible on shore, and mountain goats can sometimes be spotted on distant cliffs. The diverse marine ecosystem makes wildlife viewing a highlight of any glacier visit.