Words cannot describe it. The chance of seeing bear, dall sheep, mountain goats, and . Exit Glacier | United States | Alaska | AFAR I had heard of the Harding Icefield and even drove by the trailhead on previous trips to the Kenai Peninsula and always wondered what an icefield is like. Learn about different glacier formation and view some spectacular ice carved landscapes. Kenai Fjords National Park is immense. This hike near Seward will take you to see Exit Glacier up close and the vast Icefield it is connected to. It is one of the most accessible valley glaciers in Alaska and is a visible indicator of glacial recession due to climate change. Plan on using most of the day for a hike to the top and back. Where is the trail head for harding icefield exit glacier hiking trail in alaska. We planned to join a ranger-led hike of Harding Icefield Trail, an 8.2-mile roundtrip hike up a mountain and back down, much of it alongside Exit Glacier. Go to the right to start the Harding Icefield trail. The park is a land where the ice age lingers. Guided Heli Hiking 3-4 hours total trip length - 50 minutes of heli time $450/person / min of two The Harding Icefield - Trail All Day Hike Harding Icefield Trail climbs 3,500 feet in 4.2 miles to the top of the cliff. Full day hike: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Age requirements: Anyone age 12 and over is welcome. You've got more than 3,000' (app. With a focus on climate communication, we'll talk about the changes we are seeing, and what we, collectively, can do about it. Harding Icefield full day guided hike; Meals Included. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail and be transported to another world. In both cases, I was very impressed with the destination, and left with an, "Oh, right, that's why this is… Some of the more notable glaciers include the Tustumena Glacier, Exit Glacier, and McCarty Glacier. The dramatic coastal fjords and valleys of the park reveal a . Harding Icefield Trail: 8.2 mile round-trip adventure with 3800 feet of elevation gain. Overview. The Harding Icefield is over 700 square miles (1813 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. Harding Icefield. 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. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park Few scenes in the world compare to the view across the frozen expanse of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield. -----Subscribe to this channel: http://bit.ly/2p1LUQ0#alaskavlo. There are unlimited ways of why hiking here is worth your time, but here are our 5 favorite reasons to hike the Harding Icefield Trail. Harding Icefield Hiking Adventure 9 8 hours Free Cancellation From $0.00 Exit Glacier Ice Hiking Adventure from Seward 54 8 hours Free Cancellation From $205.00 Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure 102 4 hours Free Cancellation From $114.99 Wilderness Dog Sled Ride and Tour in Seward 188 The trail includes roots, stone steps, uneven terrain and possibly crossing snowy sections. Harding Ice Field Hike: Exit Glacier in the Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska- Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail is not an easy hike, but a rewarding one. It covers 700-square-miles, however; the reward is sweeping vistas of the entire glacier. Kenai Fjords National Park is an American national park that maintains the Harding Icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands. 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. Maybe today I would get to see one, and not just . The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8.2-mile roundtrip glacier hike near Anchorage. Reach its edge via a moderately strenuous, 3.9-kilometer (2.4-mile) roundtrip hike or just catch a glimpse from the spotting scope at the ½-mile mark (wheelchair accessible). The other big thing we wanted to do in Kenai Fjords National Park, besides glacier kayaking, was hiking the famous Harding Icefield Trail.. Even though the stats of the trail are not impressive, the scenery cannnot be beat, don't miss this one, but . I hike up the Harding Icefield Trail every day and spend about seven hours on the ice, hiking up with stops for interpretation. This area has long been studied for the effects that climate change has on glaciers. You'll climb the valley through cottonwood and alder forests until you make it well above treeline to a breath-taking view of the 700-square-mile Icefield. The Harding Icefield, pictured Saturday, July 2, 2016, spans 700 square miles and feeds over 30 glaciers, including Exit . How to hike harding icefield exit glacier trail. The park covers an area of 669,984 acres (1,046.9 sq mi; 2,711.3 km 2) on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska, west of the town of Seward. This is one of the best places to get a visual of how quickly these effects can take place. Difficulty level: Very Strenuous. Come prepared to hike the Harding Icefield Trail with layers, water, and trekking poles. And it will clearly start uphill shortly after you turn off on it. The eight mile (round-trip) trail begins by following Exit Glacier, but then climbs steeply and eventually ends overlooking the massive Harding Icefield, the largest icefield entirely within the US, which feeds Exit Glacier and about 40 other glaciers. Hike it on your own or take this guided tour. Where is the trail head for harding icefield exit glacier hiking trail in alaska. The Harding Icefield Trail starts off as a moderate ascent through brush and trees with occasional stone steps. The Harding Icefield trail can be challenging as you gain 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. This is a long, tough day hike, but along most of the journey, you also have great views of the Exit Glacier. That is a different experience than hiking the Harding Icefield Trail. The 24 hour light makes the foliage grow fast and huge, parts of the trail . Harding Icefield Trail The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike leaving from the Exit Glacier Area. Hike the 7.4 mile Harding Icefield Trail, up along side Exit Glacier to the place that glaciers are born in 700 square mile of ice called Harding Ice Field. Looking over a corner of the ice field is a humbling experience, one that leaves behind a sense of magnitude and awe that stays with visitors for a long time after they leave Alaska. Sharp nunataks (lone peaks) break the white horizon, glaciers spill from the ice field's edge, and mountains fill the frame in every direction. Geography. This 8.2 mile round trip hike takes you through alder forests, fields of fireweed, and alpine terrain, finishing at the top of the Harding Icefield; the second largest icefield in North America, where it's all blue ice as far as the eye can see. Breakfast; Special Information This out-and-back hike is 8.2 miles (13.2 km) roundtrip, with a grand total of 3812 ft (1162 m) in elevation gain. The amazing views require some effort - the hike is strenuous with a lot of elevation gain. Harding Ice Field Trail is a 9.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Seward, Alaska that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. Just beyond the shelter turn right onto the Harding Icefield Trail. Views from the Harding Icefield trail Hiking to the icefield starts on the Exit Glacier paved path that begins at the nature center and goes for about a third of a mile before intersecting with the start of the Harding Icefield trail. We partner with Exit Glacier Guides to offer interpretive hikes of the park. Guests are in for a remarkable day hike on an 8.2 mile loop along the Harding Icefield Trail. We arrived at the Harding Icefield Trail just north of Seward, Alaska mid-morning on the 4th of July. The Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska's Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. Explore the Columbia Icefield on foot! The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and bird watching and is best used from May until October. You'll feel like you're on the top of the world! You'll feel like you're on the top of the world! The Harding Icefield trail has such varied terrain that truly gives you an idea of the diversity of Alaska's incredible environments. For decades, Exit . I felt the same way about Denali. Words cannot describe it. 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. Every year, it receives over 400 inches of snow. Ice Walks offers an interpretive, guided hike on the Athabasca Glacier, taking you to parts of the glacier that you would otherwise be unable to experience. A 74-year-old man suffered suspected head, neck and spinal injuries in a fall while hiking on the Harding Icefield Trail on Thursday afternoon, according to a Friday release from the National Park Service. Glaciers And Glory: The Harding Icefield Trail. This is a difficult hike of around 8 miles round trip. The Harding Icefield Trail will be clearly marked when you reach it. With the guided tour, you hike only an hour or so on the trail, then they outfit you with crampons for your shoes and you walk onto the glacier. Last September I carried a big backpack full of gear up the trail and camped overnight at the top to catch the early morning light over the Harding Icefield and Exit Glacier. 1,000 m) to cover in about 4 miles (6.5 km). Private Guided Hiking Tours Seward, Alaska. After a summer full of rugged off-trail . The icefield is the birthplace of nearly forty glaciers, and the Harding Icefield Trail climbs alongside one of the most famous and accessible of these, the Exit Glacier, for an out-of-this-world view of the icefield. This edition of Iconic Hikes features one of the only maintained trails within Kenai Fjords National Park, the Harding Icefield Trail. Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park. There is an elevation gain of around 3,300 feet in total. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Hike to hidden backcountry lakes and high ridgelines where, on clear days, Denali can be seen in all its majestic grandeur. We will camp, ski tour, climb nunataks and explore the icefield over six days with full guide support. The Harding Icefield trailhead is on the right side of the path. For $45 more than our normal shuttle price you can have a knowledgable local guide hike with you to the face of this amazing glacier. 4. You will hike almost a mile on the Harding Icefield Trail before you get your first break in the trees and a view looking back towards the parking lot, Exit Creek and the Outwash Plain (the proglacial creek created by the Exit Glacier). I first hiked the Harding Icefield Trail in 2013 when I wasn't as strong of a hiker or photographer. At the top, the Harding Icefield itself can be viewed, its 700-square-mile expanse stretching as far as the eye can see*. Located at the end of the Kenai Peninsula, nearly 51 percent of the park is covered by ice, and nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, the park's iconic feature. This guy gave us a glassy stare as we walked by. The 8.2-mile out-and-back hike along Harding Icefield is a spectacular outing. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail and be transported to another world. Additionally, and as this is prime bear country, it's important to have bear spray and to know how to use it. 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. Answer 1 of 15: Is there a company that offers a guided hiking trip for the Harding Icefield hike? It was a warm, sunny July day when my wife and I hiked the Harding Icefield trail. Located in Seward, Alaska, this trail takes you parallel to the stunning ice field, while showcasing beautiful views of the area around you. Harding Icefield Trail is a strenuous hike and one should be prepared and ready for this adventure. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages - a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by an occasional nunatak, or lonely peak. The reward for tackling this 8.2-mile (13.2-kilometer) loop track is . It's important to have the 10 essentials just like any other hike. Apparently it was a toll road. You can also hike the Harding Icefield Trail to a spectacular viewpoint of the Harding Icefield. Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots--- they are common sightings up here. 71 reviews of Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail "if you like chutes and ladders, you'll love this hike. Trailhead: Harding Icefield / Exit Glacier trailhead, in Kenai Fjords National Park.The park is a short distance from the town of Seward, about 120 miles south of Anchorage. It covers an area of more than a thousand square miles (by comparison, the state of Rhode Island is roughly 1,200 square miles). The Harding Icefield hike is a must-do hike in Kenai Mountains. Even if you do not hike the entire length of the trail, simply experiencing part of it allows for stunning views of the valley and Exit Glacier. Alaska: Harding Ice Field Trail Harding Ice Field by NPS Mileage: 8.3 Miles Out-and-Back Rating: Difficult Elevation Gain: 3,073' Features: Wildflowers, wildlife, sweeping views of the icefield and the surrounding peaks Tips: Be sure to dress in layers and monitor trail and weather conditions as they can change quickly. Our Hiking Tours Strive To Inspire Hope and Foster Climate Action. Hike to the massive Harding Icefield along one of Alaska's most spectacular trails. We climbed a mountain. BoatAK, the reason I am looking for a guided hike is that It will be just two of us doing this hike, we both are concerned about bears on the trail, but really want to do the hike. . Kenai Fjords National Park is a land where ocean, ice, and mountain meets to form a spectacular and breathtaking landscape. Midway through the journey, transition from vast ocean coastline to otherworldly alpine scenery in Denali National Park. Exit Glacier is a glacier derived from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska and one of Kenai Fjords National Park's major attractions. The scenery is incredible as you hike up the mountain and get increasingly better views of the glacier and the Kenai Mountains. Exit Glacier retreated approximately 187 feet (57 m) from 2013 to 2014 and park scientists continue to monitor and . The whole trail takes approximately 8 hours: about four hours to hike up and about 3-4 hours to descend. Harding Icefield Trail, Alaska Credit: Galyna Andrushko/iStock. The trailhead is off of Exit Glacier Trail and shares a parking lot. Although the view from the top is well worth the . The trail gains about 1000' of elevation, so it is not a hard hike. Harding Icefield Trail Hike This trek climbs 3000 feet alongside Exit Glacier as it passes through several climatic zones. Best BoatAk. What is the best hike in. Throughout the winter season the Harding Icefield Trail is classified as a mountaineering route, thus is recommended to experienced hikers only. you will walk up some steep inclines, cross a stream or two, possibly see a bear, definitely see a marmot, tromp through the snow, get lost in the vision of a vast glacier, and . We will need to take many breaks, since we are not in top physical condition. an invigorating 8 mile trek that takes you from the outwash basin all the way up to the top of the world. 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. Explore the mountains, fjords, and glaciers at your own pace with a passionate, knowledgeable guide. The hike to the Harding Icefield is the only real trail in Kenai Fjords National Park, but what a trail it is! Harding Icefield Sunrise. And all in a 13km hike. What is the best hike in. The trail climbs gradually through forest and brush, alpine wildflower meadows, and finally rock and snow to an overlook of the icefield. Make sure you are dressed properly, as the weather on top is often different than in the Exit Glacier area below. Er führt entlang eines Flusses, durch schönen Wald und es gibt einen Wasserfall und schöne Wildblumen. The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8.2-mile roundtrip glacier hike near Anchorage. Leaves from the Exit Glacier parking lot. Length 9.2 miElevation gain 3,641 ftRoute type Out & back The guides are long time locals, retired teachers and Park Rangers with droves of natural and cultural history to offer. No surprise Harding is a popular dayhike. What to See. It can be quite arduous at times — clients can be difficult, and the weather can be damp as Seward, Alaska, is considered a temperate rainforest. The Glacier Overlook Loop Trail (taken on a different day than our ice climbing tour). For this reason, it's best to treat the hike as a full-day excursion and set out in the early morning! Aufgrund der Steigung und Distanz ist die Strecke als schwierig einzustufen. Harding Icefield is the largest of four remaining icefields in the United States. This steep trail climbs 3,000 feet in 3.7 miles. We will be there in July. And at the end of the trail is a surreal vista of the . Hiker, 74, injured on Harding Icefield Trail. Thanks. Today nearly 56 percent of the park is covered by ice, but all of this land was once buried beneath the ice and still bears its influence. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile Harding Icefield, which is a leftover of the last major Ice Age. Alaska State Troopers responded to the scene via an HELO 3 helicopter, which landed about one . Guests are in for a remarkable day hike on an 8.2 mile loop along the Harding Icefield Trail. What Makes It Great. 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. The Harding Icefield. 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.Hikers can expect sweeping views of the Exit Glacier area as they ascend high above the trailhead. If you're visiting Exit Glacier, take the trail to the top and enjoy this beautiful hike! Allow all day for this hike-6-8 hours. Head to this Alaskan national park for a challenging hike amid extreme weather conditions and breathtaking scenery. It's a 3,000-foot climb to get to the top of this trail where you're rewarded with vistas of the vast Harding Icefield, which feeds nearly 40 different glaciers. We were blessed — such days are not common in this area. Kenai Fjords National Park is a land dominated by glaciers, massive rivers of ice that flow out from the Harding Icefield. The Harding Icefield, pictured Saturday, July 2, 2016, spans 700 square miles and feeds over 30 glaciers, including Exit . And then you get to the top where you will see the incredible Harding Icefield. Harding Icefield Trail - The Arrival. The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike leaving from the Exit Glacier Area.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. The National Park offers the ranger led hike at 9 am but it only goes up to marmot meadows. Distance: 8 miles round trip, with about 3,000 feet of elevation to the overlook of the Icefield.. This is a pretty steep trail. The nearby town of Seward averages 72 inches of rain per year. This 8.2-mile roundtrip hike is sure to not disappoint if you are ready mentally and physically. Three different glacial tours are available: The Harding Icefield Trail is a great ambassador for the changing environment because of how easy . The Harding Icefield has never been high on my wish list, mostly because I think it gets a lot of traffic and I'd rather explore more remote areas. Valleys, carved by glaciers, litter the coastline of the Kenai Fjord. Hike it on your own or get adventurous and book this hiking tour on the actual glacier! Instead, just hike up to the face of the glacier on the Exit Glacier Naturalist Hike—an easy, 1.5-hour hike with natural and historical interpretation along the way. Harding Icefield Trail - Strenuous - This 8.2 mile out and back trail is one of the most breathtaking hikes in Alaska, literally.