158GLACIER BAY
This magnificent area ... i th i ts high, permanently snm.-clad peaks and over
20 large and many smaller glaeiers (13 of ... hich reach the sea) is included in
the 4,400 square miles of Glacier Bay National Monument. Yachts, loeal tour
boats, and cruise ships bring many visitors to the Bay. But since entry is
controlled by the National Park Service speciai restrictions regarding entry
are enforced as noted belo~.
The entrance to Glacier Bay is north off of Icy Strait, and lies bet ... een
Point Gustavus on the east and Point Carolus on the ... est. The bay is large, of
varying ... idth, and extends in t ... o major arms. It is about 45 miles north to
the head of Muir Inlet and 54 miles northwest to the head of either Tarr or
John Hopkins Inlets. The .... ·estern portion of the Park includes the peaks of the
Fairweather range culminating in the wedge-shaped peak of Mount Fairweather
(15,300').
The ~ational Park Service states that they are implementing a program ained
at minimizing the disturbance of humpback whales, an endangered specie5, and
which have been known to feed in Glacier Bay. Thus the number of powered
vessels entering the Park in the period from June 1 to August 31 i5 limited.
Pleasure boats are controlled by entry permits so as to ensure that no more
than 25 vessels are in the Bay at any one time. No ves seI can enter the Park,
even to proceed to Bartlett Cave, ... ithout a permit or permission given by
telephone or VHF in lieu of a permit. Thus, if one is early or just arriving
in the area one must find other anchorage while waiting.
Applications far permits should be addressed to: The Superintendent,
Glacier Bay National Park, Gustavus, Alaska 99826. One may get permission to
enter by phoning 907-697-2268 or by VHF radio on Channel 16 to K~~-20 at
Bartlett Cove when within VHF range. Since applications are not accepted
earlier than 60 days before the entry date requested vesse1s travelling from
distant ports are adversely affected. No permits are needed for visits
concluding be fare June 1 or be~inning after August 31. The most heavily booked
period is July 4 to 15, the ti~e when many boats coming up from the south are
in the area in addition to loc~l vessels enjoying summer vacations.The application requires the following information: the boat's name and
number, skipper's name, address, phone number, the number of people on board, a
description of the boat, the proposed date of entry (first, second, and third
choices), and the duration of one's visi t (a maximum of 7 days is aIlo~ed).
Once in the Park one can ask far an extension of up to 7 days provided that
unused permits are available. After receiving a permit, one is required to
confirm the permit just before entry by calling the Park Office by teIephone on
VHF ~ithin 48 hours of the scheduled entry (no later than lO a.m. on the day ofIo\L , ...... &t.
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