Even in late July, we encountered a couple small patches of snow along the trail, but it wasnt hard to cross. Coming down was easy with just a couple slips. Saw a goat, black bear and tons of marmots. If you are wondering how to hike the Harding Icefield trail in Alaska, then you have come to the right place. Starting on the valley floor, the trail meanders through alder and cottonwood forest as well as heather-filled meadows. Starting on the valley floor, the trail meanders through alder and cottonwood forest as well as heather-filled meadows. . The trail ascends steeply over the 4.1 miles, gaining around 3500' of elevation. Lots of other people. Exit Glacier Overlook Trail: 1497 Reviews, Map - Alaska | AllTrails The reward: some of the most spectacular views in Alaska, with incredible vistas over endless plains of glacial ice punctuated by dozens of nunataksisolated, conical rocky peaks that protrude through the ice and rise several hundred feet. https://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. The trail climbs gradually through forest and brush, alpine wildflower meadows, and finally rock and snow to an overlook of the icefield. At the trail start, there is a trail map, a place to sign in and boot cleaner. Saw a goat, black bear and tons of marmots. Great conditions to Marmot meadows and overlook of the glacier. BEST COASTAL STAY: Resurrection Lodge on the Bay. The Harding Icefield Trail is one of the most spectacular hikes in Alaska. Trail is excellently maintained, but can get muddy due to the snow/glacial melt. For a full list of what to pack in Alaska check this detailed guide, plus get a FREE Printable Packing List for Alaska to make your plans easy. You are left with a sense of feeling slightly humbled by the sheer magnitude of ice in front of you and a sense of awe that stays with you on your trip down. There are restrooms available by the parking lot and Nature Center. HGL007. Very muddy and somewhat slippery. As of mid-June trail was still covered in snow above the meadows. Incredibly well maintained trails with friendly rangers. Some animals might even cross the road right in front of you so just be cautious. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. This is a very popular area for backpacking, birding, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Poles and traxx were helpful about the 1.5 mm. Do you feel ready to explore Harding Icefield? Good shorter options with scenic views are Marmot Meadows (1.4 mi one way) or Top of the Cliffs (2.4 mi one way). Seward is on the southeastern side of the Kenai Peninsula and is accessed by taking the Seward Highway (AK-9), about a 2.5 hour drive from Anchorage (or a scenic train ride). You must follow the principles of leave no trace, limit your group size, avoid damaging fragile fauna, set up camp at least 1/8 mile from the trail on bare rock or snow, in a spot out of site of the trail. As you continue along the main trail youll see an unmarked trail that heads to the left of the signpost. Unfortunately it was still a little foggy, so the views were just ok. Visit Exit Glacier Nature Centre to check the weather conditions before the hike. HIKING TO THE END OF TRAIL AND HARDING ICEFIELD. On a clear day, we can imagine the view is even crazier, as youll also get to see nunataks, which are peaks that jut out of the ice. This road is also known as Herman Leirer Road and its the only road in Kenai Fjords National Park. We turned around shortly before Top of Cliffs due to conditions- it was passible, but difficult and risky. If you plan to visit the Harding Icefield Trail, it is recommended to do so during the summer months when the trail is open and accessible by car. The last 1/4 past Top is closed, but folks went :) After roughly 0.5 mile you will reach the Bottom of the Cliffs and the start of the switchbacks up the cliffs. No surprise Harding is a popular dayhike. I couldn't finish the whole trail, because the trail was covered by ice on the last section. The Best First Backpacking Trips in the US, Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Tricorner Loop, America's Best National Park Backcountry Campsites. If you love hiking, Harding Icefield is a must-visit place in Alaska. Made it to the Top of the Cliffs where we saw bear with two cubs. Everything You Need to Know About the Harding Icefield Trail in 2021 Trail. Your adventure will begin at Exit Glacier car park. Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots--- they are common sightings up here. If you are not in good shape, you could spend hours down here and have a very enjoyable time. The Harding Icefield Trailhead is located on the right about 1/3 of mile along the Exit Glacier Paved Path. It was a beautiful hike all around. The amazing views require some effort the hike is strenuous with a lot of elevation gain. You can see the Harding Icefield on the popular Harding Icefield Trail which departs from the Exit Glacier Visitor Center in Seward, Alaska. Please respect their hard work by sticking to the trail. After spending some time at Marmot Meadows and having a rest, youll continue along the Harding Icefield Trail. Very muddy but worth it , saw a mother and 2 cubs in on the mountain behind the second view point. Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail at Kenai Fjords National Park If you are looking for an entire place to stay in Seward, this tiny home is the best option for you. W, Did you know that Alabama is home to over 4,200 ca. The Harding Icefield hike is a must-do hike in Kenai Mountains. Once getting on the trail, youll reach a trail register where youll be asked for your name, how many are in your party, your start and end date, and a couple other questions. Keep an eye out for bear, mountain goats, and marmot. Great conditions to Marmot meadows and overlook of the glacier. The avalanche warning was still there, so we turned around at the cliffs. All Rights Reserved. So lets dive in! Though pets are prohibited on this trail, service animals are able to accompany visitors. Great views! Had to stop at the meadow due to avalanche possibility. We like to carry our 3L Camelbak bladders while on any hike, which makes it easy to store a lot of water and drink while on the go. No trail guide can be Hiked up in a steady light rain, so the trail was pretty wet. Your climb is interspersed with flatter sections and downhill stretches. Harding Icefield Trail Hiking Trail, Bear Creek, Alaska As we stood there admiring what we could see, we felt like a tiny speck in the universe. Click this link or use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)!We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! and the safety of those you affect. Make sure to carry bear spray while in the park! Beautiful! We cant stress this enough! At mile 3.9 you reach an emergency shelter which can be used in case of inclement weather and is not for overnight use. We made it to Marmot and turned around after enjoying the scenery. choose to undertake. On arrival, pop into the nature center to check up to date trail conditions. The reason is because of the quick altitude gaining of approximately 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. Poles are helpful. We got misted on and rained on during this hike, so make sure to bring a rain jacket! Just take your time and if youre lucky you might even get to spot a marmot of two for your efforts. This is just a one room wood cabin that can shield people from the elements if it gets nasty out. Imagine seeing white ice for as far as the eye can see and that is what youll experience on the Harding Icefield trail. The Harding Icefield is the largest icefield entirely in the United States at 700 square miles and almost 4,000 feet deep. Hike a bit further and in rocky alpine meadow you will reach another overlook this time even closer. As of mid-June trail was still covered in snow above the meadows. As soon as you park up or get off the shuttle youll already have seen the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Check ontrail conditionsbefore starting out - the upper portion of the trail is often covered with snow through early July, and there may be avalanche danger. There are plenty of great accommodation options here for every taste and budget, and here are my top recommendations: This B&B is one of the best situated and most scenic in Seward. Here is how long you can expect to drive from other popular towns on the Kenai Peninsula:Cooper Landing, AK: 1 hour (48 miles)Soldotna, AK: 2 hours (93 miles)Homer, AK: 3 hours 30 minutes (168 miles)Once in Seward, the park is only around a 20 minute drive. Before you start this hike youll want to check the conditions of the trail because past this point some of it becomes impassable due to snow. Tough hike thats slippery with snow and mud. 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. There is so much to see and experience that the journey is just about as good as the destination! For more information, please see, Mount Marathon via Skyline and Mount Marathon Loop. Beautiful sunny morning. Another hiker saw an avalanche and was a bit shaken when we met her on her descent. Explore and book active vacations in over 80 countries. If you're a shutterbug, the angle of the sun coming across the Icefield can really ruin the shot. The last 1/4 past Top is closed, but folks went :) Dont be lulled into a false sense of security walking the 0.3 miles from the center to the start of the trail. And to learn more about the park, read our guide with all of the best things to do! Had to stop at the meadow due to avalanche possibility. Impassable beyond top of cliffs. Located in the Kenai Fjords National Park, which is just a 20-minute drive from the town of Seward, the Harding Icefield is an accessible glacier, and you can easily get to it by car, by driving to the Exit Glacier Area. Even a short hike is rewarded with stunning views. There is a great interpretive center as well. 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. There will be a couple of more ascents in front of you but these are all relatively moderate, and youll even be treated to some downhill stretches too. We had heard that typically the parks weather is slightly better than Sewards and we thankfully lucked out with a cloudy hike on the way to the icefield, allowing us to still see the majority of the views. Crampons needed to get to past the meadows and hike to point one and beyond. Therefore, it is recommended that hikers check weather forecasts and trail conditions before embarking on the hike. It is very important to check the trail conditions before starting this hike. This makes the total roundtrip distance of the hike 8.8 miles. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. If you are visiting the area, I would put this at the top of my list - no kidding! Slippery snow by afternoon at the bottom of the cliffs up to the top of the cliffs and slightly beyond. Youll reach this sign after around 0.3 miles! Trail closed above the Cliffs for avalanche danger. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. You will cross a small bridge over a stream and start to ascend the trail along switchbacks. This trail naturally flows into the Glacier Overlook Trail and if you continue youll come to a sign for the Harding Icefield Trailhead. the particular trails you will be on as well as general wilderness safety and first aid. Avalanche warnings, I did see an avalanche. 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. June 24, 2023 lots of snow still at the top. Some sightings of a black bear sow and two cubs :). Depending on when you hike the Harding Icefield Trail there may be snow or ice on the trail and this is where microspikes will be very helpful. Trail is not visible beyond Marmot Meadow. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. Camping is permitted in this area but there are a few rules you need to adhere to! At this point you are half way to Marmot Meadows! As you head path the Birth Canal part of the hike, the trail becomes narrow and rocky so youll want to watch your footing. 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. I came here at the end of September, and the Nature Center was already closed for the season so I couldnt go in. Foggy with rain at times but ice field is stunning. The trailhead to the Harding Icefield typically opens in mid-June and closes in early September, but exact dates can vary depending on weather and park conditions. If you're visiting Exit Glacier, take the trail to the top and enjoy this beautiful hike! Unfortunately we only made it to Marmot meadow due to snow cover and losing the trail. Amazing, amazing view. However, all the information I needed was displayed outside of the center and theres a visual map here too. If youre up for a glacier ice hiking adventure then this fantastic tour will take you up on the Exit Glacier. Foggy with rain at times but ice field is stunning. Create Recommended Route or Quite slippery in some spots near the top of the cliffs, but manageable without anything extra. on: function(evt, cb) { After the hike, head down to the terminus for up close views of the glacier. Harding Icefield Trail: Guide To A Rewarding Hike - Global Gadding I consider this trail is one of the hardest hikes in the world. Harding Icefield - Wikipedia Details Duration 6-8 Hours As an out and back trail, hike as far as you would like. " Went up to marmot meadows. However, we found the official end of the trail to be a little confusing. While the Harding Icefield was challenging, it is unlike any trail we have ever hiked and was one of our most memorable experiences in Alaska, which says a lot, because our time in the state was filled with many amazing moments! Bring filters for clearer pictures. Few snow sections doable in boots w/o spikes. The one thing youll want to consider is the time of year you plan to do this hike. In fact, it actually flattens out for a while which will be a welcome relief trust me! We made it to the viewpoint before Harding Icefield shelter (there was avalanche risk up above there. The Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska's Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This is a great option for those who arrive in Seward by train or cruise ship!Once in the park, youll follow the Glacier View Loop Trail, which then turns into the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail, for about 0.4 miles, before reaching the actual trailhead for the Harding Icefield trail. This is the hike that clinched it for me to move up here. You should be prepared for unpredictable weather including fog, rain, high winds, temperature changes and extreme sunlight. 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. The trail is a bit challenging so be prepared for it. Harding Icefield Trail Hard 4.9 (2389) Kenai Fjords National Park Photos (2,424) Directions Print/PDF map Length 13.8 kmElevation gain 975 mRoute type Out & Back Experience this 13.8-km out-and-back trail near Seward, Alaska. 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! You will start ascending through bushy terrain. As an out and back trail, hike as far as you would like. From Anchorage, drive south on the Seward Highway to the outskirts of Seward. Hiking to point one was marked pretty well and doable with crampons. The Harding ice field trail is considered a mountaineering route during winter due to it being covered in snow. This guide is packed with very helpful information. Few scenes in the world compare to the view across the frozen expanse of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield. You can check in with the ranger at Exit Glacier Nature Center before you start to give you an idea! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Is got up to the 1st Spanish point after a bunch of snow. A little slush towards the top- but great! This is a day hike only. 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. From this point the scenery really starts to change. The Exit Glacier tends to be one of the most popular as its an easy glacier hike, but the Harding Icefield is arguably one of the most rewarding. Either way. Top portion of trail to cliffs is all snow. Turn right/north. 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. Volunteers help restore and maintain this trail every year. At this point the elevation gain is 3,459 feet. Remember to follow the orange flags if snow is present! The shuttles leave every hour from downtown Seward, and you can Click here for more information on this service. Hiking to point one was marked pretty well and doable with crampons. Once leaving Marmot Meadows, youre out of the taller brush and will have views for the rest of the hikescore! Your Alaska State Park Pass is not valid here. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile Harding Icefield, which is a leftover of the last major Ice Age. " Epic hike! On the way back though, it was mega foggy and also rainy, so we really lucked out by starting when we did! Copyright 2023 Paula Pins The Planet - All Rights Reserved, When is the Best Time to Hike the Harding Icefield, Start your Harding Icefield hike at the Nature Center, Hiking to the Harding Icefield: End of the Trail, What to wear for your Harding Icefield trail, Safety Tips before you go hike Harding Icefield, 30 Amazing Things to do in Seward, Alaska, Alaska Bucket List: 22 Amazing Experiences, Ultimate Visitor Guide for Denali National Park, Best Things to do in Denali National Park + 20 Best Hikes, 10-Day Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary in Alaska, What to pack for Alaska + FREE Printable pack list, Where to Stay in Alaska: 7 Top Towns + Hotel Guide, What is Alaska Known For? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Let's Pin the Planet together! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 51 min to complete. Well make planning your next adventure much easier! I couldn't finish the whole trail, because the trail was covered by ice on the last section. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( An icefield is an extensive sheet of sea ice, a mass of interconnected valley glaciers. Its incredible!Despite the name of Marmot Meadows, we saw way more marmots in this area, including some wrestling (and maybe kissing?) Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Muddy, good to marmot meadows. Harding Ice Field Trail 5 198 reviews #1 of 8 things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park Hiking Trails Visit website Write a review What people are saying By Michelle " Views worth every step of the hike " Jul 2022 At the very top of the hike, there's an emergency shelter where you can sit and snack and take in the scenery, look a. Very muddy but worth it , saw a mother and 2 cubs in on the mountain behind the second view point. Went as far as Top Of the Cliffs overlook. The largest icefield contained entirely in the United States, covers an astounding 700 square miles and receives over 400 inches of snow annually. Impassable beyond top of cliffs. It was pretty strenuous but very fun :). ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. There are three main points along the trail: Although the Harding icefield trail elevation makes for a strenuous climb, the trail is easy to follow. If you wish to turn back to the Nature Center then this is a good place to do it! Snow can often still be found on the trail until late-June to early-July. Fabulous trail and amazing time on the ice!!! Avalanche hazards can exist in late spring and early summer as well. The Harding Icefield - Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park What was your favorite thing in Alaska? Well worth the snow trek. Located in Seward, Alaska, this trail takes you parallel to the stunning ice field, while showcasing beautiful views of the area around you. This trail will take you down to the Exit Glacier and is primarily used by tour operators for ice hiking excursions. This adorable house is in an excellent location and offers a fully equipped kitchen, making it an ideal place to enjoy the mountain views for a memorable stay. Well worth the snow trek. Wildlife. Hiked up in a steady light rain, so the trail was pretty wet. Activity Front-Country Hiking Pets Allowed No Activity Fee No Location Exit Glacier Area Reservations No Season Summer, Fall MI 0.23. Enjoy the sweeping views across the immense expanse of ice! The view of the glacier is incredible and we even saw a mama bear with her 2 cubs. event : evt, Ascending 1,000 feet over 4 miles is strenuous, tough and at times requires a herculean effort. Harding Icefield feeds nearly 40 glaciers, including Exit Glacier. Although youll miss the final view, the view is still epic and its an accomplishment to get here! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) https://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. All-over gorgeous hike, tons of incline and nice views with shifting fog and clouds. I have been to more than 40 countries while following my fitness journey. Incredible!! Located in the Kenai Fjords National Park, which is just a 20-minute drive from the town of Seward, the Harding Icefield is an accessible glacier, and you can easily get to it by car, by driving to the Exit Glacier Area. It was a beautiful hike all around. Bring warm clothes, rain gear, sturdy footwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. . Harding Icefield Hike | Exit Glacier Guides The end of the trail is in sight! The scenery is incredible as you hike up the mountain and get increasingly better views of the glacier and the Kenai Mountains. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Harding Icefield Trail Hiking Tour From: $179 per person Book Now Free Cancellation up to 48 hours in advance Trusted Brand with 5-star reviews Lowest Price Guarantee PLEASE NOTE: This tour regularly sells out We highly recommend booking as soon as possible to avoid missing out! The reward: some of the most spectacular views in Alaska, with incredible vistas over endless plains of glacial ice punctuated by dozens of nunataks-isolated, conical rocky peaks that protrude through the ice and rise several hundred feet. In parts you may need to traverse across patches of snow. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Saw some marmots! This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through this link. Dont need data. The nature center rangers will have up-to-date information. Rangers are on hand if you need advice re trail elevation gain. Not far from this point youll come to Marmot Meadows, which gets its name from the Hoary marmots that can sometimes be spotted here! 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! If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail - Seward, AK This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Harding Icefield Hiking Trail - Seward, Alaska Tramposaurus The parking lot does get busy and fills up, so wed recommend getting there early in the day or later in the afternoon to snag a spot. You are not allowed to camp up there. Raining and foggy the day I hiked. Unless you're experienced in glacial hiking, you are putting your life in extreme risk. Pack your rain jacket! Great views! On our hike back the weather had turned on us and it was really windy and rainy, so we had our lunch in the shelter with a few others. Theres also the Alaska Geographic bookstore that you can check out! If youre visiting Alaska then I strongly recommend that you add the Harding Icefield Trail to your itinerary! })(); I am a Bodybuilder athlete and adventure seeker always on the lookout for authentic experiences especially if it involves active and adventure travel!
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