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Yakutat Bay
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The Hubbard
Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in the world and is
located at the head of Yakutat Bay. The glacier is 75 miles
long, has a face 6 miles wide and up to 400 feet high. It is
one of the most active glaciers in the world. It has been known
to travel up to 36 feet in a single day. Hubbard Glacier
continues to advance and threatens to close off the entrance to
Russell Fjord which will turn it into a freshwater lake. If this
happens, the water is expected to eventually overflow into the
Yakutat Foreland creating a braided river system that will
overtake the Situk River and its tributaries. Just west of
Yakutat the Malaspina Glacier appear as a huge white ice field
and is part of what makes the Yakutat area the most glaciated
area of North America.
Yakutat is located in Monti
Bay on the south shore of Yakutat Bay approximately 2 miles from
its mouth. Monti Bay is the only sheltered deep water port
within 100 miles. Barges, the Alaska Marine Highway System
ferries and other cargo and fish processing vessels use this
port regularly to deliver goods, pick up supplies and transport
visitors to the area. Monti Bay is bordered on the northwest
side by Khantaak Island, the site of the original village of
Yakutat. |
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Just outside of this island is some of the best early season
fishing for the wily silver salmon. From Yakutat to the north
and east are an array of islands that create protected waters
for exploring, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing from
skiffs or kayaks.
Fish for halibut, ling cod,
black cod, king salmon, and silver salmon in Yakutat Bay from
charters or rental skiffs. Unlike many other Alaskan
destinations, fishing for halibut in Yakutat is usually just 45
minutes from the dock in 50-150 feet of water. While seeking the
large flatfish, by-catch can be ling cod, black cod, and even
salmon. On your charter day, choose to make salmon fishing your
priority and land a nice king salmon or box 6 silvers for each
person on the boat.
For more information about Yakutat,
call the lodge at 907-784-3245 and order “The Place in Alaska
Called Yakutat” on DVD for $13 & plus $5 shipping/handling.
Thank you to Ted Heikell, writer, producer, and moderator of the
DVD for information about Yakutat. |
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Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains and
National Park
| The highest coastal
mountain range in the world with 7 of the highest ten peaks in
North America, this mountain range sits to the north of Yakutat
and is visible from Leonard’s Landing Lodge. The largest of the
mountains is Mt. St. Elias which soars 18,008 feet from the
ocean to the clouds making it the second tallest peak in the
United States. The Danish explorer Vitus Bering first saw Mt.
St. Elias emerge as fog lifted and named it in honor of the
Danish holiday, St. Elias Day. In the Tlingit language, the
mountain name is Was-eiti-shaa meaning “Mountain in Icy Bay.”
Another peak, Mount Logan has the most massive summit in the
world, with a ridge top extending for more than 10 miles.
Climbers seek out this mountain range for the adventure of
climbing the tremendous wilderness peaks. |
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Wrangell-St. Elias
National Park & Preserve was established in 1980. With 13.2
million acres it equals the area of 6 Yellowstones. One of the
park’s ranger stations is located in Yakutat. It is open to the
public and offers exhibits, information, park video, bookstore,
and trip planning. The park offers opportunities for all kinds
of wilderness activities such as sightseeing, flight seeing,
fishing, hunting, river floating, kayaking, and more.
At 17 million acres,
the Tongass National Forest is the nation’s largest national
forest. It is comprised of forest, mountains, lakes, streams,
muskegs, and glaciers. The mild, wet climate provides the
correct conditions for the largest old-growth temperate
rainforest. The Forest Service office in Yakutat offers sale of
maps and plenty of information on wildlife and hiking.
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Yakutat area inland
| Drop a drift boat in at the
upper end of the world class Situk River and spend a day in the
Alaskan wilderness with the wildlife and fish your way to the
lower end where your transportation will take you back to the
lodge. Why not hire a drift boat guide so you can concentrate on
fishing and enjoying the scenery? This trip is a good idea for
your first trip to Yakutat as it gives you the opportunity to
learn more about this amazing river. |
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As an alternative to drifting
the Situk you can drive to the upper or lower end and hike to
the best fishing holes. The trails are well-maintained with
little elevation for easy hiking. You will quickly find your
favorite fishing spots.
The banks of the local rivers,
the Situk along with the Lost River and Tawah Creek and River
are home to grizzly bears and moose who visit the rivers for
their bounty. River otters play along the shore as do minks and
ermine. Bald eagles fly overhead as they tend their nests and
many other Alaskan bird species can also be seen.
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The 25 mile drive to the
Dangerous River provides access to Harlequin Lake and Glacier.
Icebergs floating in the lake are viewable from the “bridge to
nowhere” (there was originally a plan to connect Yakutat to the
road system through Haines) that crosses the Dangerous River. Or
hike along the river shore to the lake itself for the best sight
of blue icebergs that float on the lake before finding their way
down the glacial silt filled river towards the ocean.
Astounding collections of
wildflowers border the route to the Dangerous River. The best
spectacle of color and species are in full bloom in late July.
Take along your Alaskan wildflower field guide for identifying
all the varieties. Keep your eyes ready to see the wildlife that
lives along the road.
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Fly outs
Book a charter and fly
for the day to one of many destinations that are less than an
hour away. The Italio, East, and Akwe Rivers are located south
and east of Yakutat and all have a strong runs of silver salmon
in the fall. The Akwe and East also produce king salmon. North
of Yakutat, the Tsiu River has an excellent silver salmon run in
the fall. These brief flights also offer the opportunity to view
the spectacular scenery along the way. The next large bay off
the Gulf of Alaska, Icy Bay is a breathtaking area of glaciers,
mountains, and icy blue water. Take some time there to view
wildlife, explore by kayak, or do some hiking.
Ask more about these areas
when booking your trip to Yakutat.
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