harding icefield trailhead

" Epic hike! Wed recommend watching this video that explains how to use bear spray, if you arent familiar. We got misted on and rained on during this hike, so make sure to bring a rain jacket! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Your Alaska State Park Pass is not valid here. If you fall in, it was nice knowing you. As you head path the Birth Canal part of the hike, the trail becomes narrow and rocky so youll want to watch your footing. It was pretty strenuous but very fun :). I don't think anyone has made it to the shelter this year yet. 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? Hi yall! This guide is packed with very helpful information. 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. Make sure you find the tiny little sign that says Top of the Harding Icefield Tail. " When is the best time to hike the Harding Icefield Trail? If you are coming up here in season and you could only do one hike, this is the one I'd pick. During our visit, some cars were parked along the sides of the parking lot and road, but we were able to get an RV spot for our van. The best time to hike the Harding Icefield Trail is during the summer months, from July through mid-September. Alpine vegetation is extremely fragile. Its incredible!Despite the name of Marmot Meadows, we saw way more marmots in this area, including some wrestling (and maybe kissing?) YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. I imagine the views being amazing, if there was better weather. The Harding Icefield - Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S. National Park Unlike the Exit Glacier Hike, this trail isnt suitable for everyone as its incredibly strenuous. We made it to Marmot and turned around after enjoying the scenery. So lets dive in! This makes the total roundtrip distance of the hike 8.8 miles. This makes it a great place to catch your breath and have a snack! You can see the current trail conditions on the NPS website or by reading AllTrails reviews to find out how much snow may still be on the trail.We hiked the Harding Icefield trail in late July on a day with a very rainy weather forecast for Seward. The trail rises through the forest and ultimately ends up well above tree line to an awe-inspiring vantage point of the icefield. 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: 4 Things About The Fun Adventure Start early and bring a camera for this hike to the edge of the Harding Icefield, where dark peaks poke out of a sea of ice. After around 0.5 miles youll reach several switchbacks that youll have to traverse although youll get some fantastic views along the way. Rangers are on hand if you need advice re trail elevation gain. We cant stress this enough! This trail naturally flows into the Glacier Overlook Trail and if you continue youll come to a sign for the Harding Icefield Trailhead. This portion of the hike passes through heather filled meadows, ultimately climbing well above tree line to a breath-taking view of the Icefield. Fairytale views with a rainbow. We hiked to the cliffs, and it was magical! Keep an eye out for bear, mountain goats, and marmot. Looked like maybe one person had snowshoed further. Let's Pin the Planet together! This stunning lodge faces the beachfront in Seward and mountain and glacier views, making it a perfect stay if you want to connect with nature. Its not a very big space, but it can fit 6-8 people inside and was a nice way to stay dry and warmer! This is a great spot to rest for a bit and despite us hiking a lot of challenging hikes, we found ourselves having to catch our breath quite a bit on the Harding Icefield trail. Trail is excellently maintained, but can get muddy due to the snow/glacial melt. 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. Therefore, it is recommended that hikers check weather forecasts and trail conditions before embarking on the hike. Travel, hiking, & food 3+ years in @brisketthevan The trail climbs gradually through forest and brush, alpine wildflower meadows, and finally rock and snow to an overlook of the icefield. Though pets are prohibited on this trail, service animals are able to accompany visitors. Im Paula, a fitness athlete, and adventure seeker always on the lookout for authentic experiences especially if it involves active and adventure travel! As of mid-June trail was still covered in snow above the meadows. Sharp nunataks (lone peaks) break the white horizon, glaciers spill from the ice field's edge, and mountains fill the frame in every direction. With this unique blog, my goal is to inspire you to find a life balance betweenActive Travel & a HealthyLifestyle! Poles and traxx were helpful about the 1.5 mm. This income goes towards the sites running costs and enables us to provide our readers with free content. Hiked up in a steady light rain, so the trail was pretty wet. 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). It is also important to note that the area is not maintained during winter months and there are no services or facilities available to visitors. 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. The Exit Glacier Nature Center has parking for both cars and RVs, although we wouldnt suggest bringing a Class A RV to this parking lot. Beautiful sunny morning. If you are visiting the area, I would put this at the top of my list - no kidding! To experience this behemoth for yourself, you can hike the Harding Icefield trail, which was not only one of our favorite hikes we did in Alaska, but ever! } They are very serious about this rule! Coming down was easy with just a couple slips. 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. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as MileValue.com, Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. The Harding Icefield is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in Alaska and is a must for any bucket list! It is very important to check the trail conditions before starting this hike. Went up to marmot meadows. 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. ), Watched a rockslide right above the cliffs. 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. Just take your time and enjoy the epic scenery. })(); I am a Bodybuilder athlete and adventure seeker always on the lookout for authentic experiences especially if it involves active and adventure travel! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Great conditions to Marmot meadows and overlook of the glacier. Make sure you are dressed properly, as the weather on top is often different than in the Exit Glacier area below. Crampons needed to get to past the meadows and hike to point one and beyond. Quiet, but right in town close to attractions and restaurants. Do your best to stay on the established trail to minimize your impact. If you have any further questions, leave a comment below! Here you will find all you need to know about the hikes, the best time to visit, what to pack, and all the helpful tips to make your visit easy and safe. You also have to set up your tent on bare rock or snow so you arent damaging the environment. Veer slightly off the main path to a small clearing and your first great viewpoint. With a fantastic breakfast available, and a terrace to relax after a full day of activity such as fishing, hiking, and canoeing. 3/4 of glacier was opened. Quite slippery in some spots near the top of the cliffs, but manageable without anything extra. Guided ice hiking trip into Exit Glacier with Mia from Exit Glacier Guides. ), Watched a rockslide right above the cliffs. We have used the Kahtoola MICROspikes for many years and they are amazing! Pack a warm coat or fleece, windbreaker and hat. 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. } Even through early July the upper portion of the trail is often covered with snow with possible avalanche danger. 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. This part of the trail is a lot more open and the switchbacks dont last for very long! Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots--- they are common sightings up here. Depending on the time of year you do this hike, youll need to be cautious as theres likely to be plenty of snow in this area. 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. Junction with Harding Icefield Trail. And it is the source of 38 glaciers in the park!To experience this behemoth for yourself, you can hike the Harding Icefield trail, which was not only one of our favorite hikes we did in Alaska, but ever! The endless icefield scene will take your breath away. Turn L onto side trail for Exit Glacier overlook . This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. By using this site you accept the risk and sole responsibility for your safety If you're visiting Exit Glacier, take the trail to the top and enjoy this beautiful hike! Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and free. However, all the information I needed was displayed outside of the center and theres a visual map here too. Some animals might even cross the road right in front of you so just be cautious. 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 havent heard, the common joke is that the state bird of Alaska is the mosquito. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Check ontrail conditionsbefore starting out. Ignore this trail and continue on towards the Top of the Cliffs. Try this 13.8-km out-and-back trail near Seward, Alaska. To see everything we take hiking, check out our hiking gear as well as our guide about how to make a 10 essentials kit. Just make sure you keep the bear spray on hand as bears are known to frequent this trail. Wet, muddy and snow in some parts-worth it! Location: 60.183701, -149.665466. Everything You Need to Know About the Harding Icefield Trail in 2021 The Harding Icefield hike is the most popular hike on the Kenai Peninsula. 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. Enjoy the sweeping views across the immense expanse of ice! This part of the trail is steep and arduous as it feels like you are climbing a ladder that goes on and on as you gain height. After the hike, head down to the terminus for up close views of the glacier.

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