Shaax Gray Currants - Tlingit Ethnobotany

Gray Currants sign in Bartlett Cove and green vegetation. Sign text is copied on this page.

Gray currants (Shaax) display a distinctive waxy gray coating on their tart berries, ripening in August across Glacier Bay's coastal plant communities. The Huna Tlingit have harvested these berries for generations, traditionally mixing them with sweeter seasonal varieties—blueberries, huckleberries, thimbleberries—to balance their sharp flavor. The stink currant's common name derives from the pungent odor released when leaves are crushed. This ethnobotanical site exemplifies Indigenous management of Alaskan coastal plant succession and traditional ecological knowledge.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 58.45567,-135.87956
Accessibility: Accessible via moderate hiking from established Forest Loop Trail or boat access. Specific accessibility for mobility-limited visitors depends on trail conditions and marine weather. Boat access allows close viewing from water without hiking. No wheelchair-accessible facilities at this specific site.

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Bartlett Cove, Forest Loop Trail features (Glacial Erratic, Top of the Hill, Root Ball), Huna Tribal House, Muir Inlet, Johns Hopkins Glacier, Lamplugh Glacier, Margerie Glacier, Beardslee Islands, Tlingit Point, Grand Pacific Glacier, Dry Bay, Geikie Inlet, Icy Strait.
Nearby Facilities: Bartlett Cove Campground (tent and RV sites), water and restroom facilities, Glacier Bay Visitor Information Station, Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal with visitor services.
Best Time To Visit: August, when berries ripen to peak tartness and visual display. Late July shows early ripening; early September shows lingering mature berries.
Tips Advice: Gray waxy coating on berries aids identification among other currants
Crushed leaves release distinctive skunky aroma
Peak ripeness mid to late August
Maintain strict 100-yard minimum distance from all bears
Visit early morning for best wildlife observation and cooler temperatures
Bring binoculars for bird and whale viewing
Respect Indigenous cultural heritage—observe, do not harvest without proper guidance and Tlingit knowledge
Insider Tips: Gray waxy coating on berries distinguishes Shaax from other currants and aids August identification
Crushed leaf aroma (pungent, skunky scent) confirms plant identity
Traditional Tlingit preparation: mix tart Shaax with sweeter seasonal berries for balanced flavor
Peak berry ripeness: mid to late August (check with Visitor Center for exact timing)
Visit early morning for best wildlife observation and cooler hiking temperatures
Bring binoculars for humpback whale and seabird viewing from coastal areas
Download Tlingit plant guides from Visitor Center before hiking
Respect Indigenous cultural heritage: observe interpretive markers, do not harvest without guidance and knowledge

More details

Park Area: Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Family Friendly Notes: Safe for families with experienced young hikers (ages 8+). Children must be closely supervised due to bear presence; maintain 100-yard distance from all bears. Berries look tempting but should not be eaten without proper preparation knowledge. Traditional Tlingit preparation methods essential for safe consumption. Educational opportunity to learn Indigenous ecological knowledge and plant use.
Attraction Type: Ethnobotanical Site
Elevation Feet: 0
Distance From Entrance: No entrance gate. Accessible via boat from Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal or hiking from Bartlett Cove area (approximately 0.5 miles via Forest Loop Trail).
Accessibility Level: Moderate hiking or boat access; specific difficulty depends on trail conditions and marine weather.
How To Get There: Located in Bartlett Cove area via Forest Loop Trail hiking or boat access from Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal. Ferry service available from Gustavus; boat drops visitors at Bartlett Cove, then 0.5-mile hiking loop accesses ethnobotanical site.
Parking Availability: Not applicable. Boat parking at Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal; hiking access from Bartlett Cove area.
Road Type: Hiking trail/boat access; no vehicle road access.
Seasonal Access: Typically open late May through early September; peak access July-August. Winter access extremely limited due to ice, snow, and minimal services.
Entry Fees: No entrance fee for Glacier Bay National Park. Ferry service from Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal may have separate fees.
Main Features: Gray currants (Shaax) with distinctive waxy gray coating, tart berry flavor ripening August, Huna Tlingit ethnobotanical heritage, mixed berry harvesting site, coastal plant succession.
What Youll See: Low gray currant shrubs with berries in various ripeness stages (August peak), mixed with blueberry, huckleberry, and thimbleberry plants. Coastal vegetation transitioning from tide line into temperate rainforest. Tlingit cultural landscape shaped by selective harvesting.
Unique Characteristics: Tlingit ethnobotanical heritage site; traditional mixed-berry harvesting location; stink currant common name from crushed leaf aroma; visible evidence of Indigenous-led landscape management; integration of Tlingit language and ecological knowledge.
Safety Considerations: Bear safety critical: maintain 100-yard minimum distance from all bears. Do not harvest berries without proper preparation knowledge; raw consumption may cause digestive upset. Coastal Alaska weather changes rapidly—hypothermia risk even in summer. Tart berries look appetizing but require traditional Tlingit preparation methods. Inform others of your hiking location.
Best Viewpoints: Berry patches directly accessible from Forest Loop Trail; specific ethnobotanical interpretive markers within Bartlett Cove area guide visitors to prime viewing locations.
Photo Opportunities: Ripe berries with waxy gray coating in August light; mixed berry clusters in coastal setting; tidewater and forest backdrop; traditional harvesting areas with cultural context; early morning or golden-hour coastal photography.
Photography Spots: Berry clusters in morning/evening light; waxy-coated berries at peak ripeness; tidewater and forest transitions; mixed berry patches alongside Sitka spruce succession; cultural landscape context with coastal mountains in background.
Stargazing Quality: Good in clear conditions; very limited light pollution in coastal Glacier Bay area. Extended twilight hours in summer (near midnight sun at this latitude); best viewing during nautical twilight.
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Excellent coastal sunrise/sunset views over tidewater and glacier-carved valleys. Long daylight hours in summer provide extended golden-hour photography (nearly 18 hours daylight in July-August).
Visitor Center Present: 1
Restrooms Available: 1
Restroom Type: Vault toilets at Bartlett Cove; flush facilities at Glacier Bay Visitor Information Station.
Picnic Areas: 1
Interpretive Signs: 1
Cell Service: Limited or absent; check with Visitor Center before relying on cell service in this area.
Water Available: 1
Guided Tours Available: 1
Trailheads Here: Forest Loop Trail (connects to Top of the Hill, Glacial Erratic, Root Ball terminus); accessible from Bartlett Cove Campground area. Interpretive trail loop through coastal plant communities.
Connecting Trails: Forest Loop Trail main circuit (approximately 3 miles); connects Glacial Erratic interpretive area, Top of the Hill overlook, Root Ball trail conclusion. Accessible from Bartlett Cove Campground and day-use areas.
Nearby Services: Glacier Bay Visitor Information Station, Bartlett Cove Campground, Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal, Gustavus town services including lodging and dining (10 miles by road from ferry terminal).
Common Wildlife: Black bears (100-yard minimum distance required), brown bears, humpback whales (offshore), harbor seals, various seabirds including black-legged kittiwakes and eagles.
Best Wildlife Times: August (peak bear feeding on berries and salmon). Peak wildlife activity mid to late summer. Morning hours best for observation.
Wildflower Peak: Not applicable. Focus on berry ripening: August is peak Shaax berry season.
Fall Colors Peak: September through early October for coastal vegetation color change and forest canopy shifts.
Geological Formation Type: Ethnobotanical Site
Scientific Interest: Tlingit ethnobotanical knowledge and traditional ecological management exemplifying Indigenous landscape stewardship. Berry phenology and coastal plant succession documentation. Evidence of Indigenous-led selective harvesting shaping Alaskan temperate rainforest composition. Intersection of traditional Tlingit language (Shaax) with botanical and ecological science.
Road Opening Dates: Not applicable; boat access subject to marine weather and ferry schedules (May-September regular service).
Snow Lingering: Minimal at sea level; typically clear by late May. Higher elevations around Glacier Bay retain snow through June.
Winter Access: Extremely limited November-April; services minimal, ferry service reduced or suspended depending on ice, daylight nearly absent, hypothermia risk severe, guides essential.
Best Visit Times: August for berry ripening and ethnobotanical interpretation. Early morning to mid-morning for wildlife observation and cooler temperatures. After recent rain for optimal berry ripeness and plant appearance.
Best Season: Late May through early September optimal for hiking and berry viewing; peak July-August for full park access, guided programs, and ripe berries.
Weather Patterns: Coastal Alaska maritime climate: rapid weather changes, frequent precipitation (rain/fog), windy conditions common, cold even in summer months. Hypothermia risk. August temperatures typically 50-60°F. High humidity and fog common mid-morning.
Peak Fill Times: No parking lot (boat-based access). High visitor traffic mid-July through early August when ferry service peaks.
Busiest Season: July peak season for park overall; August for ethnobotanical berry viewing and cultural interpretation programs.
Fishing Species: Not applicable for ethnobotanical site; however, surrounding Glacier Bay waters support halibut, salmon, and other marine species.
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 1
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: Visitors appreciate the cultural and botanical significance of this Tlingit ethnobotanical site, particularly the tangible August berry ripening that connects them to Indigenous harvesting traditions. Most recognize this as an interpretive, observational location rather than a recreation destination. Visitors value the integration of Tlingit language, cultural knowledge, and ecological science in understanding Glacier Bay's natural and human heritage.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Is this a difficult hike to find the gray currants?

No. Shaax is located on accessible Forest Loop Trail in Bartlett Cove area with interpretive markers. Difficulty depends on your hiking fitness and weather conditions, but this is not a remote or technical scramble. Most visitors complete the circuit in 2-3 hours.

Can I pick and eat these berries?

Not recommended without knowledge of traditional preparation. While Huna Tlingit have harvested Shaax for generations, proper preparation—mixing tart berries with sweeter varieties—is required for best results and digestion. Do not eat raw berries without Tlingit guidance; observe and photograph instead.

When is the best time to see ripe berries?

August is peak ripening time for Shaax. Late July shows early ripening; early September shows lingering mature berries. Visit mid-July through mid-August for the best berry display. Ask the Visitor Center for specific ripening timing in your visit week.

Are bears a serious concern in this area?

Yes—Glacier Bay is prime bear habitat. Bears actively feed on berries in August, so encounters are possible. Maintain 100-yard minimum distance at all times. Make noise while hiking, carry bear spray if comfortable, watch for scat and recent feeding signs, and never approach or feed bears.

What is the cultural significance of Shaax to the Huna Tlingit?

Shaax (gray currants) have been harvested by Huna Tlingit for generations as a staple food. The berries' tartness is traditionally balanced by mixing with sweeter berries (blueberries, huckleberries, thimbleberries). Shaax is central to Tlingit ethnobotanical knowledge, seasonal harvesting practices, and connection to their homeland.

Do I need a permit to visit this ethnobotanical site?

No permit is required for day-use visits to view the site. If you plan to camp in Glacier Bay (at Bartlett Cove Campground or backcountry), camping requires registration or permits. Check with Glacier Bay Visitor Center for current requirements before your visit.

How do I access this site—do I need my own boat?

No private boat required. The site is accessible via ferry boat service from Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal to Bartlett Cove, then 0.5-mile hiking loop on established Forest Loop Trail. Most visitors combine ferry access with hiking. Check ferry schedules at Gustavus (May-September service).