Shaax – Gray Currants – Glacier Bay Ethnobotany

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Berry patches directly accessible from Forest Loop Trail; specific ethnobotanical interpretive markers within Bartlett Cove area guide visitors to prime viewing locations.

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.

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.

Black bears (100-yard minimum distance required), brown bears, humpback whales (offshore), harbor seals, various seabirds including black-legged kittiwakes and eagles.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Bartlett Cove Campground (tent and RV sites), water and restroom facilities, Glacier Bay Visitor Information Station, Gustavus Dock & Ferry Terminal with visitor services.