View from the end of the Harding Icefield Trail. The trail is strenuous! Hikers gain approximately 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. Allow at least
6-8 hours
for the hike.
Is Harding Icefield trail open?
Harding Icefield Trail (and winter route):
The trail is OPEN
. Winter conditions are expected. Be prepared for ice, slippery conditions, unclear trail locations, and deep snow.
How deep is the Harding Icefield?
The Harding Icefield is a large expanse of ice in the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula, which includes Kenai Fjords National Park. Covering 700 square miles, with a maximum depth of
about 4,000 feet
, the Harding Icefield is the largest icefield located entirely in the United States.
Is Harding Icefield worth?
The Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park is truly a wonder to behold! Located atop Exit Glacier where it stretches for 700 square miles,
the Harding Icefield is worth the climb
.
How long of a hike is Exit Glacier?
Discover this
2.2-mile
loop trail near Seward, Alaska. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 57 min to complete.
Can you fish in Kenai Fjords National Park?
The area surrounding Kenai Fjords has outstanding opportunities for both fresh and salt water fishing.
Within the park’s backcountry you can fish for salmon and Dolly Varden per state regulations
. In addition, opportunities abound for freshwater fishing in the lakes and streams in nearby Chugach National Forest.
Are there bears at Exit Glacier?
The majority of local black bear sightings in the park have been at Exit Glacier due to its accessibility
. There have also been numerous sightings throughout the fjords system during the summer season. Boat passengers cruising the fjords can see bears on mountain ledges.
What is the elevation of Harding Icefield?
Even without socks, the hike up the Harding Icefield Trail is incredible. Elevation: About 1,000 feet per mile, according to the National Park Service, but Backpacker Magazine puts the total elevation gain at
3,366 feet
.
How difficult is Exit Glacier hike?
Difficulty Rating:
The Exit Glacier Hike is a beautiful trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. This trail is
easy
, mostly paved and very popular, and once you reach an amazing viewpoint overlooking the Exit Glacier, you will understand why.
How late is Exit Glacier Open?
The Exit Glacier Area is open
year-round
. In late-October to mid-November, the road to Exit Glacier is inaccessible to cars, usually due to snow.
Can you touch Exit Glacier?
The brochures need to be updated…
you are not able to touch the glacier unless you do like the 8 mile hike up the mountain
. it is a very rough path you follow, would only recommend to those in good shape.
How old is the Harding Icefield?
The Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska’s Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. 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).
What is the largest icefield in Alaska?
| Harding Icefield | Area 700 square miles (1,800 km 2 ) |
|---|
How many ice fields are in Alaska?
Based on the most recent comprehensive survey in 2011, there were
about 27,000
glaciers in Alaska.
How long does it take to hike Mount Marathon?
In a nutshell:
The hike will take you
around two hours
. Plan on bringing at least two liters per person. There’s nothing better than a delicious reward for your hard work!
How hard is Precipice Trail?
Rising over 1,000 feet in 0.9 miles, the Precipice Trail
requires physical and mental strength
. It is a rugged, non-technical climb with open cliff faces and iron rungs. Upon reaching the summit of Champlain Mountain, climbers are rewarded with impressive views.
How many glaciers are in the Harding Icefield?
Of Harding’s
20 large glaciers
, 13 are terrestrial glaciers, such as Exit and Little Dinglestadt (Figure 3), and are entirely on land. There are seven large tidewater glaciers, including Aialik (Figure 3) and McCarty.
How do you get out of glacier in winter?
Road to Exit Glacier
During the winter,
Herman Leirer Road is unmaintained and closed to automobile traffic from the first gate
. Traveling beyond to the Exit Glacier Area is a further 7 miles (11.5 km), and an additional 1 mile to the Exit Glacier Overlook.
Is the road to Exit Glacier paved?
It is a
mainly flat paved trail
that leads you to glorious views of Exit Glacier Alaska.
Is Exit Glacier worth visiting?
A stop at the Exit Glacier Nature Center is worth a visit
. Located at the end of the Exit Glacier road, this facility is a great place to start as it provides information and exhibits about not only Exit Glacier, but the surrounding Seward area as well.
What is so special about Kenai Fjords National Park?
Kenai Fjords National Park was established as a national monument in 1978. It became a national park in 1980 to
preserve the fjord and rainforest ecosystems, Harding Icefield, abundant wildlife, and historical and archeological remains
.
What are some fun facts about Kenai Fjords National Park?
- Kenai Fjords National Park covers a total area of 699,983 acres.
- The number of people visiting Kenai Fjords in 2019 was 356,601 (All Years)
- Kenai Fjords was made a national park on 270,666.
- The lowest elevation found in Kenai Fjords is 0 feet at the Pacific Ocean.
Is Kenai Fjords worth visiting?
It was one of our favorite national parks from our trip to visit all of them in 2017. In fact,
Kenai Fjords ended up ranking at number 2 when we rated all the national parks from best to worst
! Not only is Kenai Fjords famous for its glaciers and abundant wildlife, but it’s also popular for being so accessible.
Are there black bear in Alaska?
In Alaska,
black bears occur over most of the forested areas of the state
; depending on the season of the year, they may be found from sea level to alpine areas. They are not found on the Seward Peninsula, on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, or north of the Brooks Range.
How big is the Exit Glacier?
Exit Glacier, a finger of cracked, blue-white ice that drops out of 700-square-mile Harding Icefield, some of it outside the park, is relatively small, only
14 square miles
. But its public stature is large.
What kind of Glacier is Exit Glacier?
| Exit Glacier | Status Receding |
|---|
