This month I will be covering my trip to Alaska earlier this year. The Harding Icefield dominates the highlands of the Kenai Peninsula feeding dozens of glaciers that still carve the fjords. Due to regular heavy snowfall in the mountains—30’ is not unusual—, a number of large glaciers still reach the sea, although the Exit Glacier near the park entrance requires a longer hike to see than in the recent past. I drove to the visitor center in Seward, but I didn’t come here to hike.

I recommend a boat tour out of Seward to explore places like Porcupine Cove above. Not only are the fjords best viewed by boat, but there’s a lot of wildlife to see. A humpback whale proudly swam by the boat showing off her newborn calf. Two otters were making out in the waves. Steller sea lions—a first for me—lounged to port and starboard. Common murres did their best penguin impressions, and ancient murrelets flew by in tight formation. Coastal mountain goats sauntered across waterfalls mid cliff. A black bear cub followed mom across the highland, not far from Bear Glacier, the largest in the park. This is a magical place to explore.