Photo Workshop :: Harlequin Lake
Outside of Yakutat, on the Gulf of Alaska, there is a unique glacial lake that is still in the process of being formed. This unparalleled kayaking adventure features the awesome beauty and power of glacier meeting water, in an area little visited by other travelers.
The Yakutat Glacier has a face four miles across, and it empties into Harlequin Lake. This is the largest glacier to enter a fresh water lake in North America. As it interacts with the fresh water of the lake, the ancient glacial ice crumbles and calves, providing us a spectacular show!
Paddling along the shoreline gives us an excellent chance to spot bears, wolves, moose, otters and mink. Wildflower gardens of dwarf fireweed, Indian paintbrush, blue gentians, and harebells spill their colors on the sand, and lichens dot the rocks. The geological puzzle here is a fascinating opportunity for us to try to piece together the past two hundred years. With terrain perfect for exploring, we'll hike among glacial remnants, over old moraines, and through the succession of plants re-colonizing the area. At night we feel the thundering percussion of nearby calving glaciers.
Workshop Overview :: Harlequin Lake
Join us on this six-day photographic expedition. One or two campsites will provide us with an outstanding base from which to photograph the incomparable wildlife and glacial ice of this extraordinary location. Adventurous photographers of all ages will love exploring the pristine wilderness of Harlequin Lake.
Starts: Yakutat, Alaska
Ends: Yakutat, Alaska
Duration: Six days
Distance: 25-50 miles
Price: $3,250
Activities: Photography, wildlife observation, sea kayaking, hiking.
Highlights: Paddling among the whales, watching wildlife, photography, fantastic scenery, wilderness solitude, hiking through a truly untouched area.
Trip dates: See 2009 Workshops for current availability of our workships.
Reservations: Please Contact Us for more information, or to book this workshop!
Trip Itinerary
While we have a carefully planned schedule, each trip may differ slightly, depending upon wind and tides, weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities, and the goals of participants.
Day 1: Our Harlequin Lake trip starts in Yakutat, where we will meet each other, and pack our personal gear for the trip. Then we depart for the lake, driving through the Yakutat forelands, and crossing the Situk River, one of the most productive salmon rivers in the world.
After assembling and loading our boats, we'll line them a few hundred yards up the Dangerous River (dangerous for boats that draw more than five inches of water, but not for our kayaks). We'll get an orientation of basic paddling skills and safety procedures, and then we'll start paddling in and around the icebergs, making sure to leave plenty of room between us and the larger pieces of ice – each a unique and beautiful sculpture.
Several campsites on the lake give us more opportunity to explore and get to know the different areas of the lake. One campsite might be on a pebble beach, making sure to be far enough up, so as to avoid any waves from the calving glacier. The next campsite may be surrounded by recently exposed bedrock with a view of the glacier. Or, we may camp on the gravel outwash of the glacier where we can watch the glacier and trace the various paths the outwash stream has taken in the past few years.
Days 2-6: There is no "best place to be" on this trip. Each of these areas provides us with excellent hiking opportunities where we can take a quick hike after dinner, utilizing the long Alaska summer. Or, we can decide not to paddle at all one day and spend the day hiking and exploring ridge tops, river valleys or the shore line. It is impossible to make a bad decision on a day's activities. Sitting around a campfire in the evening, drinking a warm drink and looking back at a day well spent provides the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Even by Alaska standards, Harlequin Lake is an extraordinary place. We’ll explore for brown bears, examine the forest wilderness, view flocks of ducks and geese in the open meadows, and photograph the vivid displays of lupine, irises, river beauties, chocolate lilies, bog orchids and Indian paintbrush. Bears in this area forage on the abundance of berries, and pink salmon make a mid-season run up the river. In a few special places, bears place their feet in the same spot each time they use a trail, leaving a series of footprints to mark their territories. For those who are interested, stream fishing in the Situk River for Dolly Varden is awesome!
The trip back to Yakutat gives us time to reflect on our experience at Harlequin Lake. We are scheduled to arrive in Yakutat around 4 p.m. Participants should have ample time to settle into a lodge in Yakutat, or catch an evening flight to Juneau. For those extending their stay in Yakutat, be sure to enjoy the world-class fishing for steelhead, salmon or halibut.
If you need additional information about this trip, pleace contact us.
Price Schedule
The price for this workshop includes all camping and kayaking equipment, kayak guide and photography guide services, meals, snacks, beverages, and wine with dinner. Rates are per person, and are based upon double occupancy.
Trip Price
| Description | Length |
Price |
2009 Dates
|
Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camping and kayaking equipment, all meals, snacks, soft drinks and juice. | 6 days |
$3,250 |
Jul 6-11 |
Details |
| Pre-workshop orientation meeting (optional) in Juneau, includes afternoon field session, transfers, accommodations at Baranof Hotel, dinner and breakfast. | 1 day |
$425 |
Jul 5 |
Details |
Google™ Map :: Harlequin Lake
Need Some Help?
Even with the information age upon us, it's difficult to match the level of knowledge our guides have accumulated over the years. Our staff is always ready to help — if you have additional questions, please contact us today!