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While it’s not a large structure, it does offer an interesting perspective in the otherwise in-human environment around. The National Park Service’s Official Trail Page, Facilities: Restrooms, water, ranger station at the TH, Cost: $20 to enter the park or an NPS annual pass. If you choose to explore on foot, there are a few different trails with different levels of difficulty. The Harding Icefield Trail should definitely be on your Alaska Itinerary! What you see in the photo is Exit Glacier as it stretches down from the Harding Icefield. It was a warm, sunny July day when my wife and I hiked the Harding Icefield trail. You’ll cross muddy fields, traverse some narrow and exposed hillsides, and near the end pass over a few washed out points. The Harding Icefield trailhead is approximately a 20-minute drive (about 3.7 miles) north of Seward in Kenai Fjords National Park. Skirting the Harding Ice Field from the highway junction to Homer - July 2004. Seward is packed with all types of accommodations- we stayed at Resurrection Lodge on the Bay and loved it! If you're ready to share your ideas, stories, and adventures with others, check out my post on how to start a blog. 5. HGL007. The trail is about 8 miles round trip – that isn’t too bad, but like most trails in the Seward area, you do a lot of climbing – it has a 3,000 vertical foot rise in total. There’s a reason there is a glacier here so be sure to come prepared! Necessary warning: While Exit Glacier & the Harding Icefield Trail may just be a “day hike,” it’s nothing to take lightly. The construction of the Spruce Creek trail that year, however, made it possible to view the upper portions of the icecap, and President Harding's promise to visit the territory was sufficient to bestow his name on the feature. Also it was my first time seeing a bear in the wild!). So what is this icefield you’ll be hiking to, anyway? This strenuous trail leaves from the same trailhead as the Exit Glacier Trail. The whole trail takes approximately 8 hours: about four hours to hike up and about 3-4 hours to descend. It’s also the perfect place to pull out that sandwich that you’ve been thinking about the entire hike At 1.4 miles, the trail really begins to break free of the treeline and opens up into a stunning meadow area with rolling hills ahead and towering cliffs further above. I highly recommend a helicopter tour like this one while you’re in Alaska. Tempting as it is to stop here, it’s well worth moving on just a little further (though also all up hill) to the start of the cliff switchbacks and an incredible view down on Exit Glacier just below you. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et sa meilleure utilisation est de mai à octobre. They give you amazing views of Exit Glacier and partial views of the icefield. I have spent some wonderful nights on the edge of Harding Icefield with my tent watching some beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Here you’ll find a ranger station with updated trail and area conditions, restrooms, potable water, and a few basic supplies in the bookstore. A hike with glaciers at the end? From here, you’ll follow the Exit Glacier Paved Path for roughly 0.3 miles. COPYRIGHT © 2020 | PRIVACY POLICY | Website designed by Alley Digital | Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel. However, the best time to hike the Harding Icefield Trail is during the summer months, primarily between June and October. If you want to stay here overnight camping is allowed as long as you set up camp at least 1/8 mile from the trail on bare rock or snow. You’ll see a path split off from the main path on your left. I’d do one day for the Harding Icefield hike, and one day for a boat tour and to explore Seward a bit. The icefield looks like it goes as far as the eye can see (it’s over 700 square miles), and is almost like looking at the horizon over the ocean. The network of both walking and hiking trails leads to different viewpoints of Exit Glacier. That may not mean much if this is your first time visiting my blog but after climbing glacier filled slopes on Mount Rainier, exploring the floor of the Grand Canyon, and ascending the cables to the top of Yosemite’s Half Dome, I may not have been everywhere, but I’ve seen enough to know an amazing hike when I’m on one. Answer 1 of 11: Hi all, I'll be in Seward at the end of June, and I'm interested in hiking the Harding Icefield Trail. For my hike, which started out on a nice day with just light rain, that meant snow by the top as you can see in the photos! You’ll get to get up close with the glacier and see the dramatic landscape left behind by the retreating glacier while also enjoying some of the most astounding natural scenery that the area has to offer. Another benefit of visiting in summer is the mild, temperate weather. Seward residents generally ignored the huge icefield west of town before 1922. The picnic area is also a great resting place after a long day on the trails. Instead of lighting up a campfire, you should consider using a stove. As you top out from the cliff overlook (another main great break point if you want to push a little further), the trail cuts further into the hill and away from the glacier. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breath-taking view of the Icefield. Dense clouds hung low and fingers of fog crept up the valleys. When you’ve had your fill of photos (and lunch), head back down the way you came and enjoy a couple more hours of amazing views as you do so! One of the best ways to quickly experience the Harding Icefield is by hiking the Harding Icefield Trail. The 7.4-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike. From the valley floor, the trail weaves through bushy terrain, gaining elevation steadily while breath-taking views open up periodically. Beyond the incredible glacier views, the hills you will be hiking are rather amazing to look at too and on a clear day, you’ll also be able to see plenty of other glaciers on neighboring mountains. Yes please! Harding Ice Field Trail: Tickets & Tours ... visitor center short hike global warming easy access viewing area ranger station the past years longer hike walk up national park harding ice field markers showing moderate hike marked trail viewing point seward highway parking lot harding icefield … We were excited about what our day would bring. If time is a factor, set aside at least two days to explore the massive Kenai Fjords National Park, Resurrection Bay (pictured above), and Seward. The roads leading to the trail can be impassable by car, so they’re closed once heavy snows come in. The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike leaving from the Exit Glacier Area. We started at the highway junction where the highway to Seward branches off from the one to Homer. The first quarter-mile (0.4 km) is through dense cottonwood and alder passing a few small cascades. A shorter hike up the trail commands impressive panoramas of the valley floor, Exit Glacier, and the Harding Icefield. Hello friends! Following the Glacier Overlook Trail for 0.4 miles (0.64 km), the Harding Icefield Trail branches off to the right (well-marked). Length 8.2 mi Elevation gain 3,812 ft Route type Out & Back Where is the trail head for harding icefield exit glacier hiking trail in alaska. Ascending the rocky (or snowy) slopes, the trail is mostly defined but does occasionally split as the ever-changing terrain has forced people to forge new routes around eroding surfaces You’re not likely to get lost on a clear day but paying attention to the terrain ahead will help you avoid sketchier sections and minimize impact by sticking to the developed paths (always stay off vegetation and avoid short-cutting switchbacks which damages the trail and environment.). Review trail conditions and the weather before starting your hike. There are picnic tables right next to the parking lot where you can stop for a snack before hiking. Location: 60.181412, -149.663361. And trust me, once you’re done with this hike, your legs will feel too much like jelly to do anything else the rest of the day! The first you’ll reach is Marmot Meadows. When driving, you’ll see a clear sign signaling the turnoff point from the Seward Highway: mile 3 to Exit Glacier Road. Trail Guide: Hiking to Alaska’s Exit Glacier & Harding Icefield (8.2 miles / 3500′ / 6+ hours) Trail Guides October 19, 2017 Long before I reached the last marker post, the Harding Icefield Trail at Exit Glacier had earned a place as one of my top 5-day hikes ever. Although the distance from the parking lot to the top of the trail is roughly 10 miles round trip, the trail itself is 8.2 miles round trip. There is a free ‘tent only’ campground close to the Exit Glacier Nature Center. For this reason, it’s best to treat the hike as a full-day excursion and set out in the early morning! This includes packing all litter! Exit Glacier from just outside the park. This will minimize the impact of the campfires and preserve the pristine environment for future generations. The 8.2-mile out-and-back hike along Harding Icefield is a spectacular outing. You should set up your tent at least 1/8 miles from the trail. Endless ice stretched to the horizon in front of us, vast and wonderful: 700 square miles of blue white punctuated with lonely rock peaks. The strenuous 4-mile Harding Icefield Trail has stunning views of Exit Glacier and the mile Harding Icefield. What is the best hike in alaska. The Harding Icefield is one of the largest non-polar icefields in the world, and the largest entirely within US borders. There is no parking fee and camping is also free. Very excited! In fact, as I mentioned earlier, the Harding Icefield is 700 square miles of ice! We could have stayed much longer admiring the icefield, but the day was getting towards the end of the day and we had to start on the return. This trail is a tough day hike, gaining 3,000 feet of … It is considered a challenging day hike and mainly suitable for the physically well-prepared. The trail extends upward through different ecosystems. Ideally, start before 10am. Trail opens to views of Harding Icefield, a near-blinding spread of bowl-shaped glacial cirques covering half the park . Covering approximately 700 square miles, and at a maximum depth of roughly 4000ft, the Harding Icefield is the largest ice field entirely within the United States. It’s seriously Lord of the Rings meets Game of Thrones fantasy level stuff and if that’s not enough still, just check out the photos below. Turn L onto side trail for Exit Glacier overlook . Up to this point, however, people had walked only on the icefiel… It doesn’t even encompass how giant the ice field is! , What’s one thing you’re grateful for? Do I need those hiking pants to keep the bottom part of pants from getting wet? This trail is free to access from the Exit Glacier Nature Center, and certainly some of the best things in … And you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes open the whole time for wildlife! The other big thing we wanted to do in Kenai Fjords National Park, besides glacier kayaking, was hiking the famous Harding Icefield Trail.. For physically fit hikers, a strenuous four-mile trail parallels the glacier’s north edge on a 3,000-foot ascent to the ice field, offering spectacular views of the glacier and surrounding mountains along the way. The park is at the edge of the Kenai Peninsula and it’s home to the Harding Icefield, Exit Glacier, and a ton of glaciers that can only be accessed by boat or helicopter. The still air was heavy with moisture as I hiked up the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park outside Seward, Alaska. You could, if you like “posting” which is hiking in extremely deep snow. View over Harding Icefield from end of trail. FYI, most product links on my site are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission from advertising or affiliate programs. After leaving the Harding Icefield, we continued south on smaller glaciers. You should follow the ‘leave no trace’ principals to a tee. Copyright 2020 Traveler Ted. These mild temperatures are perfect for hiking. Ho, Here’s a postcard from Oahu for anyone who needs, Turns out Dallas is pretty in the fall too! Yup, it’s literally a field of ice, hence the name. You’ll also find several RV parks and campgrounds in Seward. Hiking from Marmot Meadows to Top of the Cliff is a lot more fun, to me at least. We really want to hike to the top of the Harding Icefield. (More on that later.). Long before I reached the last marker post, the Harding Icefield Trail at Exit Glacier had earned a place as one of my top 5-day hikes ever. Reaching it takes time, sore legs, and patience, but the view of the icefield is incredibly rewarding! My legs already felt like jelly by the time I got to the Top of the Cliff viewpoint! 33 Crucial Things to Know Before Visiting Alaska, Guide to Seward: The 18 Best Things to Do in Seward, 12 Things Alaska is Famous For (Don’t Miss These on Your Alaska Trip! You get to see the glaciers and the snow-capped peaks from a birds-eye view with no obstructions! It’s one of about 40 glaciers that descend out of the massive Harding Icefield. You experience roughly 1000 feet of elevation gain per mile! Even without socks, the hike up the Harding Icefield Trail is incredible. This is the log of a ten day trip down the Kenai Peninsula. Parking is limited so consider carpooling in and be sure to stock up on snacks and hiking essentials before you head to the park (likely in Anchorage.). Required fields are marked *. Once you’re in the parking lot your hiking adventure will begin right by the Exit Glacier Nature Center. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile Harding Icefield, which is a leftover of the last major Ice Age. Come prepared to hike the Harding Icefield Trail with layers, water, and trekking poles. My recommendation: opt to push through to the Top of the Cliff (2.4 miles). Here’s a popular boat tour option that does just that! You should dig a small hole to do your ‘business’. We were blessed — such days are not common in this area. Continuing from the lower cliffs, it’s easy to understand why many stop their day here as you look on ahead at the switchbacks that lead up the cliffs above. Holgate Glacier and Aialik Glacier are the most popular ones to see by boat. The day we started there were bear sightings along the trail, so make sure to buy bear spray ahead of time. Located in the Kenai Fjords National Park, the Harding Icefield Trail is 8.8 miles long and is quite strenuous, with an elevation gain of 3,953 feet. This is a very different photo than what I usually, Moana vibes What’s your favorite Disney mov, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! No wonder boat tours are a common way to explore the Park- especially with visitors who are eager to come up close with glaciers. For those up for the challenge, the reward is well worth it. The views along this stretch of the hike are way better since trees are no longer in your way. The construction of the Spruce Creek trail that year, however, made it possible to view the upper portions of the icecap, and President Harding's promise to visit the territory was sufficient to bestow his name on the feature. What's yo, Weekend vibes ✌️ Anyone else wish they were in. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to … How to hike harding icefield exit glacier trail. You will begin the hike to Harding Icefield in the Exit Glacier area. And make sure the hole is at least 100 feet from any water sources or streams. Overview. What is the best hike in alaska. If you’re interested in a longer day hike to add to the Exit Glacier Trail, consider the Harding Icefield Trail. You’ll find intertwined trails which means you can do multiple routes without starting over. By this point, you’ll have a continuous view of the glacier from just about any high point and it’s fascinating to look out as the ice transforms from well crevassed towards the more stable field above. The view you see in the photo above is not even from the top of the hike- only from halfway! We saw a black bear way off in the distance while we were at the Cliffs area (more on The Cliffs in a bit. Covering approximately 700 square miles, and at a maximum depth of roughly 4000ft, the Harding Icefield is the largest ice field entirely within the United States. The town is right outside the park, so it’s a short drive away. You might come across humpback whales, Steller sea lions, puffins, harbor seals, and different species of seabirds. It seemed like we hiked for hours (although only a couple) trying to make our way to the lookout over the Harding Icefield. The temperatures are mostly in the 70s during the daytime and 40s at night. Thankfully, the views continue all around you so it’s easy to find a consistent excuse to take breathers as you pause to snap photos of it all. Bear Glacier is a popular glacier to fly by in Kenai Fjords National Park since it’s the largest glacier off of the Harding Icefield! With a boat ride, you also enjoy wildlife and marine life spotting opportunities! You’ll get way more views there, and the hike becomes more scenic than the first stretch you’ve already done. As you climb the hill to reach it, your feet will be happy to know that the best icefield views are just a few minutes above. The first quarter-mile (0.4 km) is through dense cottonwood and alder passing a few small cascades. You’ll get to see Bear Glacier and so much more! There are three main ways to experience the Kenai Fjords National Park: by foot, boat, or a helicopter ride. Here’s a popular boat tour option that does just that! And if you’re heading to Alaska, here are a few posts you might find helpful: Your email address will not be published. Follow trail along Exit Glacier ridge; best photos in summer twilight . Feel free to edit / quote / embed with credit and for editorial or commercial use, contact me. The forest slowly opens up as the trail steepens and you start some long switchbacks. The 7.4-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike. We planned to exit on the Grewingk Glacier, which would provide an easy summer trail to access Kachemak Bay and a boat ride to Homer. Most parts of Kenai Fjords National Park can only be accessed by water. Exit glacier is one of the most visited places in Kenai Fjords National Park thanks to its accessibility. From there, the icefield at the top stretches as far as your eyes can see. The hikes are also way easier compared to the Harding Icefield Trail. Bring lots of snacks such as energy bars, or a picnic if you’re going all the way to the top. Kenai Fjords National Park is technically open throughout the year. Check out the best things to do in Seward here! Following the Glacier Overlook Trail for 0.4 miles (0.64 km), the Harding Icefield Trail branches off to the right (well-marked). Between the mid-1920s and the early 1930s, the increasing popularity of aviation had given a lucky few the opportunity to soar over the icefield. In fact, it’s the only land entrance into Kenai Fjords National Park. The overall profile is around 1,000′ / mile over rough terrain including plenty of large and often slick rocks. You also get a glimpse of the Icefield along with the majestic mountains surrounding the area. After a few hundred more vertical feet, you’ll finally spot the Emergency Shelter standing out on a hillside above. The tent should either be on the snow or bare ground (to preserve the area’s fragile vegetation). A marmot made its way across a hill near us (it was my first time seeing a marmot!). The still air was heavy with moisture as I hiked up the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park outside Seward, Alaska. ), What to Wear in Alaska: An All-Season Packing Guide. The trail itself is only 3.8 miles out, but you'll need to access it via the Exit Glacier Paved Path, which adds to the overall distance. Harding Ice Field Trail est un sentier allez-retour de 8.2 miles très fréquenté situé près de Seward, Alaska. Just a few hours away from Anchorage on one of the most scenic drives in Alaska, it deserves your visit! It has all of the logistics on how exactly to create your own website! This enormous wall of ice descends the mountain from the Harding Icefield and goes down all the way to Resurrection River. First, you’ll wind through the forest, then, through a beautiful tundra meadow, and lastly, rocky terrain. And trust me, your legs will feel it (unless you’re some sort of Olympic athlete, which I most definitely am not!). The Harding Icefield trailhead is on the right side of the path. If you’re still not convinced, try this on for size: I’m talking about massive glacier views (you’ll be right up near Exit Glacier and see plenty of others in the distance as well), rolling green hills covered in mist, imposing rock cliffs, an endless icefield, and a remote wilderness shelter all thrown together in just a single day trek. The Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park is truly a wonder to behold! There are plenty of paths around to different viewpoints in the rocky hills above the Harding Icefield as well as a few trails down to its edge.
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