ABC News correspondent Trevor Ault visited Dawes Glacier in Alaska as part of the "50 States in 50 Weeks" series [1].
The project highlights the natural landscapes and cultural heritage of the U.S. to mark the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026 [1, 4].
Ault traveled nearly 60 hours at sea [1] to reach the glacier. The journey is part of a broader effort by Good Morning America to showcase the beauty of every state. The series began in July 2025 [3] and spans 50 weeks [2] of travel across the continent.
Alaska, the 49th state admitted to the union [5], provided a dramatic backdrop for the segment. The production crew focused on the scale and environment of Dawes Glacier to capture the unique geography of the region. This visit serves as one of the final milestones in the year-long odyssey.
The series concludes this week, aligning with the July 2026 timeline [3]. By visiting each state, the network aims to provide a visual survey of the American landscape before the semi-quincentennial celebrations begin. The production involved coordinating logistics across diverse climates, and terrains to meet the strict one-state-per-week deadline.
“Trevor Ault visited Dawes Glacier in Alaska as part of the '50 States in 50 Weeks' series.”
The '50 States in 50 Weeks' series functions as a cultural precursor to the United States' 250th anniversary. By documenting the 49th state's natural landmarks like Dawes Glacier, the network is emphasizing the geographic diversity of the U.S. as a central theme of the national milestone in July 2026.
