Surprise Glacier

Surprise Glacier in Prince William Sound as seen from the Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise.  We have been on this tour several times now and each time they deliver a good day.

Below is the information about Surprise Glacier from the United States Geological Survey - Bulletin 526 – Coastal Glaciers of Prince William Sound and Kenai Peninsula Alaska – Government Printing Office 1913.

"SURPRISE GLACIER. The Surprise Glacier reaches tidewater in a vertical cliff at the head of the west arm of Harriman Fiord. Along both sides of the glacier is a bare zone, which extends forward nearly to the Cataract Glacier. Gannett's map of Port Wells * shows the front of the Surprise Glacier practically at the point where the Cataract Glacier reaches tidewater. Photographs taken that year, however, show that the two glaciers were separated by a distance estimated to be a quarter of a mile. In 1909 the front of the Surprise Glacier was much farther (estimated at 1.1 miles) back than in 1899. How much of this retreat had taken place since 1905 is not clear, for our photograph of that year is indistinct; but it is certain that a considerable part of the retreat had occurred by 1905. A rock ledge, divided into two parts, projected from the front of the glacier near its south side in 1909. (See PL XXI, B.) Evidently this ledge would be covered by a slight advance of the ice; at least, so it appeared 'from our nearest point of observation to the Surprise Glacier, opposite the front of the Cataract Glacier. It is our recollection that no such ledge was visible in 1905. The maximum advance of the Surprise Glacier in recent years is indicated by the bare zone; by 1899 the glacier had retreated about a tenth of a mile. This retreat was being continued in 1905, and in 1909 the glacier had retreated 1.1 miles from its position in 1899."