I got the opportunity to take a two night camping trip to the Kenai Fjords that culminated in over 24 miles paddled.  We got the chance to base camp off the Holgate arm, so we were well stocked for camping.   Along the trip in we observed three humpback whales feeding just off the gulf and into the marine coves.  The first day we did a 8 mile paddle to the face of 300 ft Holgate.  The glacier was calving pretty good, and it was awesome to hear the sound it makes.  We called our camp Thunder Camp because you could hear the glacier calving every night.   The glacier is awe-inspiring.  Rising 300 feet above the water.  To its side, suprise glacier loomed.  Puffins and Mirelettes were playing in the water next to Harbor Seals.   Camp was made that night and the dutch over was going to get a work out this week.  Early to bed on the first evening and late going on the second day.  We were going to Pederson Glacier, 6 miles away, around to another cove and lagoon system.  Pederson is only accessible on a high tide, so we opted for the later high tide instead of rousting early.  Pederson glacier is completely different from Holgate.  It lies farther back and the first lagoon it sits on is choked full of large icebergs.  Gettign this close allows you to paddle inbetween the glaciers and to look at clear relfecting glacier melt.   The whole trip on this day is 12 mile paddle.  Sea otters could be seen very easily, swimming solitaire.   The last day, our pick up was arriving at 3-5pm so we had to make a quick paddle or not at all.  We elected to paddle, and eat lunch underneith some braided waterfalls across from thunder camp.   

The hard part of this trip is actually getting to Holgate arm.  The water taxi costs are expensive and the coordination of teh camping gear a little problamatic, but well worth the views.  Kenai Fjords is absolutely teaming with wildlife and glacial views.

TO TRAILHEAD: Watertaxi from Seward to anywhere in the Fjords you want to go.