harding icefield trailhead

Warning: Traveling in Alaska's backcountry can be extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injury Good shorter options with scenic views are Marmot Meadows (1.4 mi one way) or Top of the Cliffs (2.4 mi one way). Went up to marmot meadows. The other thing to note here is that its not permitted to camp at the Emergency Center which is found at the top of the trail! MORE INFO: Kenai Fjords National Park, 907-224-7500; nps.gov/kefj, JUNCTION WITH EXIT GLACIER TOE TRAILS. If you fall in, it was nice knowing you. No matter where youre coming from, be prepared for a scenic drive with epic views and the chance to spot wildlife along the way. Every bead of sweat lost is worth it for the breathtaking sweeping views over a corner of the mammoth Harding Icefield, 700 square miles in its entirety. Exit Glacier is about 12 miles from the town of Seward and about 130 miles from Anchorage. Fabulous trail and amazing time on the ice!!! Looked like maybe one person had snowshoed further. Youll start in the forest, then go through Marmot Meadows, reach the Top of the Cliffs Overlook (a good turnaround if you cant make it further), go through rugged, rocky terrain, and pass a shelter, before finally making it to the end. Even a short hike is rewarded with stunning views. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 51 min to complete. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. On Harding Icefield Trail In Alaska You'll Hike Next To An Immense Icefield If youre up for a glacier ice hiking adventure then this fantastic tour will take you up on the Exit Glacier. Lots of other people. Foggy with rain at times but ice field is stunning. But the views along the way of Exit Glaciers rolling crevasses will keep your spirits up. ), Watched a rockslide right above the cliffs. Though pets are prohibited on this trail, service animals are able to accompany visitors. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. And to learn more about the park, read our guide with all of the best things to do! Amazing, amazing view. Get inspired with adventure films, event replays, series, and more. Few snow sections doable in boots w/o spikes. I don't think anyone has made it to the shelter this year yet. Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership? . Exit Glacier & Harding Icefield Kenai Fjords National Park Description One of the best day hikes in Alaska! If youre driving your own car then youll park in the parking lot in front of the Nature Center. The Harding Icefield hike is a must-do hike in Kenai Mountains. Hike was great otherwise, yes there is deep snow but was fine to walk on/fall in, SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Exit Glacier Road closes to automobile traffic in the winter. The Harding Icefield - Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park Follow switchbacks above cottonwood and alder treeline . Quite slippery in some spots near the top of the cliffs, but manageable without anything extra. By using this site you accept the risk and sole responsibility for your safety The view of the glacier is incredible and we even saw a mama bear with her 2 cubs. Poles are helpful. Went as far as Top of Cliffs. Is There A Fee For Parking And Entering The National Park? This shelter is located near the end of the Harding Icefield Trail and just beyond that, youll come to your reward Breathtaking views of the Harding Icefield! We have used the Kahtoola MICROspikes for many years and they are amazing! If traveling in September, consider gloves and a hot thermos. From Exit Glacier Nature Center, turn left past the trailhead map and follow the accessible Glacier View Loop Trail. Impassable beyond top of cliffs. The trail rises through the forest and ultimately ends up well above tree line to an awe-inspiring vantage point of the icefield. Harding Ice Field Trail (Kenai Fjords National Park) - Tripadvisor NPS website did not include that area in their post so be aware. If you do choose to camp then make sure you follow the principles of Leave No Trace and be a responsible traveler! Therefore, it is recommended that hikers check weather forecasts and trail conditions before embarking on the hike. The end of the trail is in sight! Words cannot describe it. A little slush towards the top- but great! However, all the information I needed was displayed outside of the center and theres a visual map here too. The Harding Icefield Trail is located in Kenai Fjords National Park and starts behind the Exit Glacier Visitor Center, the only place you can drive to in the park. At 9.2 miles roundtrip, its a long hike to begin with, but then throw in the elevation gain, which is around 1,000 feet per mile, and its a bit of a doozy at times!It will take most hikers 6-8 hours to complete the Harding Icefield trail, so it will likely be your only activity for the day. We turned around shortly before Top of Cliffs due to conditions- it was passible, but difficult and risky. This trail naturally flows into the Glacier Overlook Trail and if you continue youll come to a sign for the Harding Icefield Trailhead. Hike was great otherwise, yes there is deep snow but was fine to walk on/fall in, SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Exit Glacier Road closes to automobile traffic in the winter. It is very important to check the trail conditions before starting this hike. If you are looking for a great place to stay that fits your budget, you will love this lodge. Harding Icefield feeds nearly 40 glaciers, including Exit Glacier. Just before the sign for Harding Icefield, the trail becomes the Glacier Overlook Trail. After about 0.5 mile the trail turns a corner and even though theres no formal marker, it is obvious you have reached Top of the Cliffs. Oftentimes the marmots see you before you see them and youll know they spotted you when you hear their loud, cute shrieks. ); Plenty of nourishing food & snacks & an odor-free zipped bag to contain your rubbish. Follow the road for 8.4 miles to a large free parking area for the nature center. PERMIT INFO: No permits are needed, but for safety register your itinerary with rangers, especially if youre venturing onto the ice (glacier gear and experience required). Some animals might even cross the road right in front of you so just be cautious. Your email address will not be published. During this time, the area is inaccessible by car and the trail is covered with snow and ice, making it extremely difficult and dangerous to hike. All-over gorgeous hike, tons of incline and nice views with shifting fog and clouds. Its a distance of around 12 miles (19.3 km) and youll be driving down Exit Glacier Road. Mostly vertical, it can be a real A** whupper, but ohhhhh, the reward is sooooo worth it. We were able to hike a bit through the snow past the end of the trail to get a better view. If you dont have your own transport dont worry, you can take a shuttle from downtown to the nature center. Pack your rain jacket! Specifically, both black bears and grizzly bears, with grizzlies being the more aggressive of the two.Not only is it important to have bear spray on you, but you need to have it readily available and know how to use it. Alaska Vacations & Travel Advice from Trusted Alaskans For your safety, entry into this zone is prohibited. Dont need data. This portion of the hike is relatively flat so you don't have to worry about additional elevation gain. Depending how far you follow the trail, you can walk to the end of the trail and back in 4-6, although the official estimate is 6-8 hours. No surprise Harding is a popular dayhike. Guided ice hiking trip into Exit Glacier with Mia from Exit Glacier Guides. These cookies do not store any personal information. Highly recommend using the AllTrails app any time you hike. Harding Icefield Trail Hiking Trail, Bear Creek, Alaska What was your favorite thing in Alaska? You should keep on going, even if there's snow, until you get to the Icefield (trust me-you'll know it when you get there). } Make sure you are dressed properly, as the weather on top is often different than in the Exit Glacier area below. However, we found the official end of the trail to be a little confusing. Adam wears the ALTRA Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe, which is a trail running shoe, so they are less bulky than boots, but still great for the trail. If you have any personal tips or questions about the Harding Icefield hike please let us know in the comment section below. There was still snow on some of the top sections and we made it to the cliffs, even though we didnt have microspikes or crampons. Harding Icefield hike is an ideal location for a day hike when you are up to an adventure or are bored. Marmot Meadows makes a great rest stop or a place to turn around. Forming a 3,000 feet natural ramp for mountaineers exiting the immense Harding Glacier, the hard crevassed and fluted Exit Glacier ice, can be seen on theGlacier Overlook Trail. each other! Begin steep switchbacks through cliff bands, Small stream crosses trail; good water source. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Info Alerts 6 Maps Calendar Fees Alerts In Effect Park Closures Toe of Exit Glacier, Ice Fall Hazard Zone An ice fall hazard zone has been identified at the toe and sides of Exit Glacier, due to tall blocks and slabs of ice. Top portion of trail to cliffs is all snow. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 51 min to complete. Kenai Fjords National Park is open year round, but as you can imagine, the wintertime brings a lot of snow to the area and the road to the Exit Glacier area of the park is not very accessible. You can plan your trip with this easy guide and have access to the best services I recommend and you can get discounted prices. If you dont have the energy to keep going, this is a great place to have a quick snack and turn around. 3/4 of glacier was opened. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. W, Did you know that Alabama is home to over 4,200 ca. If you're a shutterbug, the angle of the sun coming across the Icefield can really ruin the shot. PRO-TIP: The weather is very unpredictable and can change quickly so make sure you wear plenty of layers and pack warm clothes! Discover this 13.8-km out-and-back trail near Seward, Alaska. Harding Icefield Difficulty This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. As an out and back trail, hike as far as you would like. Heading out the door? Its incredible!Despite the name of Marmot Meadows, we saw way more marmots in this area, including some wrestling (and maybe kissing?) With the gloomy weather, rugged rocks, and endless view of ice, it felt like we were on another planet! Saw a goat, black bear and tons of marmots. As you continue hiking along the Harding Icefield Trail youll still be ascending but the trail isnt as steep after the Top of the Cliffs viewpoint. Beautiful! From the Nature Center, youll want to walk along the Glacier View Loop Trail which is found to the buildings left. Bring warm clothes, rain gear, sturdy footwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Sweet home Alabama! If you pace yourself and you are in reasonably good shape, you should have no physical problem hiking to the Icefield. Trail is currently not accessible past the top of the cliffs due to avalanche risk, but still a great view of the glacier and icefield!

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