Hiker at the end of the harding icefield trail, kenai fjords national park, alaska. Kenai fjords national park harding icefield trail hiking. Jul 09, 2015 hiking the harding icefield trail in kenai fjords national park, alaska. Some of the more notable glaciers include the tustumena glacier, exit glacier, and. The harding icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of alaskas kenai mountains in glacier ice. Harding icefield photo gallery us national park service.
Hike the harding icefield trail and be transported to. Created more than 23,000 years ago during the pleistocene epoch, the harding icefield was a small piece of the vast ice sheet that. We planned to join a rangerled hike of harding icefield trail, an 8. Exit glacier harding icefield trail in alaska 4 on vimeo. Stretching for 700 square miles, the ice field is the central feature of kenai fjords national park. Rick hit the nail on the head about harding icefield trail. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile harding icefield, which is a leftover of the last major ice age.
The park service does a wonderful job at maintaining the trail there are a few steep spots early on where you might have to put a hand down, but after that, there isnt anything tricky. We will camp, ski tour, climb nunataks and explore the icefield over six days with full guide support. Harding icefield trail at about 1 mile of the hike and ft elevation gain above the treeline, thick wildflowers start to appear, and the combination of alpine glaciated peaks, the forest below, glaciers, river flowing across the valley floor and wildlflowers made it feel like almost hiking in heaven. The harding icefield trail is a beautiful winter hike in.
Hiking the harding icefield trail in kenai fjords national park, alaska. With just a 10 to 15 minute drive out of seward, you can hike right up to the kenai fjords national parks exit glacier and experience the dense blue. This accessibility and the deceptive length of the trail have made this particular area popular with curious alaskan hikers. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get. Yes, a picture can speak a thousand words, but witnessing the landscapes along the icefields parkway up close and personal will leave you speechless. The wildlife on this trail includes plenty of marmots, but there is a very good chance you will see bears and mountain goats as well. Climbing the harding icefield trail in kenai fjords national park, alaska. Along the way, enjoy wildlife, wildflowers, and waterfalls. However, one should not judge this trail on its length as it is actually quite difficult with. Early in the season, about half of the trail is covered in snow, but hikers with boots will have little problem walking through it.
This travelogue describes the hike to the harding om rainforest to alpine meadow to. 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. Id recommend bringing a few water bottles and hiking polesthese will be your friend as you go up and down the steep slopes. Kenai fjords national park harding icefield trail is a hiking trail near seward, alaska, united states. The harding icefield is 777 square km and one of the largest nonpolar icefields in the world. Massive harding icefield in kenai fjords thinning in warmer. Winding through the valley floor, the trail passes through a forest of alder and cottonwood, over meadows abundant in heather with a climactic ascent above the tree line to a stunning vista of the harding icefield. Harding icefield out and back hiking trail, bear creek, alaska.
The harding icefield located in kenai fjords national park is the largest icefield contained entirely within the united states, 300 square miles and if you included the glaciers which descends from the icefield it would be over 1,100 square miles. No crampons or ice axes are needed during the summer hiking months. Created more than 23,000 years ago during the pleistocene epoch, the harding icefield was a small piece of the vast ice sheet that covered much of southcentral alaska figure 1. We still have at least three miles to ski before we are at the top of exit glacier, aptly named by the first crossing team in 1968, because it is how they exited off the icefield. Department of the interior harding icefield trail a hike to the top of the harding icefield trail gives you a glimpse of what much of southcentral alaska looked like during the last ice age. 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 breathtaking view of the icefield. Hiking exit glacier via the harding icefield trail youtube. We wake to overcast skies and a low cloud ceiling, just as forecasted.
Seward residents generally ignored the huge icefield west of town before 1922. Camping is allowed off the harding icefield trail on bare rock or snow at least 18 mile off the trail but is not permitted at the shelter, which is for emergency use only. Sep 22, 20 climbing the harding icefield trail in kenai fjords national park, alaska. Numerous long and spectacular glaciers descend from the crests of those mountains. Harding icefield icefield, alaska, united states britannica. Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots they are common sightings up here. The highlight of the trip was a hike up to the harding ice field. Nov 16, 2017 located in the kenai fjords national park, the harding icefield trail is 8.
Look back in time, when viewing the expanse of the harding icefield. This is one of the most enjoyed trails we have ever experienced. Starting at the trailhead to exit glacier, it begins in temperate rain forest, winding its way uphill through several switchbacks. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until october. Total distance round trip is just under 10 miles with the side loop. This starts just outside of town at the exit glacier nature center. Located in the kenai fjords national park, the harding icefield trail is 8. Although the view from the top is well worth the effort, you need not hike all. Hike the harding icefield trail and be transported to another. If trail conditions are poor, you can still get in some glacier views. This is the log of a ten day trip down the kenai peninsula. This is a very popular destination, but most people just do the easy walk to the foot of the glacier which is pretty cool by itself rather than climb the 3,000 vertical feet4 miles to the harding ice field. Our group size will be limited to 6 clients for each trip and will spend our time exploring the vast main body of the harding. We both would consider this a strenuous hike, about 8.
Kenai fjords national park harding icefield trail is a hiking trail near seward, alaska, united states description. Massive harding icefield in kenai fjords thinning in. 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. If traveling in september, consider gloves and a hot thermos. Long before i reached the last marker post, the harding icefield trail at exit glacier had earned a place as one of my top 5day hikes ever. Can someone who has done it estimate the time it takes. There are some glaciers you can drive to, but very few that. The icefield is the largest in north america, and it remains as a 300 square mile vestige of the last ice age. Hikers can expect sweeping views of the exit glacier area as they ascend high above the trailhead.
Harding ice field trail, kenai fjords national park. Getting off the icefield is easy but requires some exhausting hauling of our 150 pound sleds up some extremely steep terrain before we can start, what we hope will be all downhill. To avoid hypothermia, change into dryer andor warmer clothes at the emergency hut located 14 mile before the edge of the icefield. Harding icefield trail get a front row seat of retreating glaciers on this challenging 8mile outandback to the harding icefield. Below are some photos of the canadian rockies landscapes that await you in banff national park and jasper national park. We could see the first volcanoes of our alaska peninsula trek redoubt and iliamna in the distance across cook inlet.
Harding icefield alaska hiking reference, with trail. The harding ice field is a bit more boring in its uniformity, in that most of its glaciers are retreating, he said. Photos of harding ice field trail harding ice field trail. Peer into the pleistocene on the harding icefield trail, high in the kenai mountains. Hiking the exit glacier and harding ice field in kenai. From the peak we could see the harding ice field, stretching out as a vast plain of white dotted with only the very peaks of mountains. Hike the harding icefield trail and be transported to another world. 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. The trail follows exit glacier to the south while it makes its way up. Photos of harding ice field trail alaska alltrails. May 25, 2015 before i knew it, only 12 hours after my arrival and a restless night, i was up in the air on a bushplane, admiring glaciers from above.
As mentioned above, the harding icefield is a gem of kenai fjords national park. We started at the highway junction where the highway to seward branches off from the one to homer. Spectacular views of the icefield can be gained via hiking the 8. Of all the wonderful hiking trails in the seward area, the harding icefield trail is my favorite. Harding icefield trail kenai fjords national park u. Geologic survey maps from the 1950s with a recent map compiled by.
Jasper national park annual public forum icefields trail north consultation updates after initial consultation with stakeholder groups, indigenous partners, and members of the public, parks canada will not proceed with the proposed icefields trail project in. In the spring of 2016 exit glacier guides will be offering two expeditions onto the harding icefield for one week each. The harding icefield is over 700 square miles 18 km 2 in its entirety although, if one were to count its glaciers which descend from the icefield in all directions, the icefield measures in at over 1,100 square miles 2,849 km 2 the icefield spawns up to 40 glaciers of all types. We could even see some vague white mounds that must be part of the alaska range. Harding icefield trail photo blog niebrugge images. I understand that hiking out to the harding icefield is one of the best day hikes in alaska. Jul 27, 2011 harding icefield trail at about 1 mile of the hike and ft elevation gain above the treeline, thick wildflowers start to appear, and the combination of alpine glaciated peaks, the forest below, glaciers, river flowing across the valley floor and wildlflowers made it feel like almost hiking in heaven. At the top, the harding icefield itself can be viewed, its 700squaremile expanse stretching as far as the eye can see. Hiking exit glacier via the harding icefield trail duration. Before i knew it, only 12 hours after my arrival and a restless night, i was up in the air on a bushplane, admiring glaciers from above. Other articles where harding icefield is discussed. The exit glacier is one of the thirtyfive glaciers that flow through the extensive harding ice field and the only area of kenai fjords national park that is accessible by car. I understand they will be moving the trail around these steeper places in the summer of 2008. Harding ice field trail kenai fjords national park.
Exit glacier harding icefield trail in alaska 1 on vimeo. 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 yosemites half dome, i may not have been. Skirting the harding ice field from the highway junction to homer july 2004. Hiking to harding icefield in kenai fjords national park. The harding icefield, a massive sea of ice stretching to the horizon, is the destination of this amazingly diverse trail. So we opt for getting on land and hopefully picking up a summer trail that will take us down to the base of the glacier. The trail ends with a magnificent view of the icefield and mountain peaks. Harding icefield hike kenai backcountry adventures. Harding icefield trail kenai fjords national park forum. Hiking the harding icefield trail along the exit glacier in alaska. Bear safety tips while hiking in alaska 720p duration. Exit glacier and harding icefield kenai fjords national. Located in kenai fjords national park just outside seward, the harding icefield is a 700squaremile expanse of white and blue that feeds over.
654 774 1519 1204 1053 572 151 84 714 288 1353 153 1103 855 769 915 303 1509 282 308 91 1115 569 715 1276 1450 356 495 497 118 858