We were so happy to take this chance. When is the Best Time to Hike the Harding Icefield Trail? Necessary skills include route-finding, steep snow climbing and descending, self-arrest, and avalanche terrain recognition and rescue. Markers have been placed showing retreating location of the glaciers toe over the past 120 years. The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike leaving from the Exit Glacier Area. Whether youre here for the first time, hosting visitors, or looking for a family-friendly adventure, our Alaska Glacier Tours are fun, exhilarating, and offer unforgettable experiences of our beautiful backyard. Wildlife viewing the parks rugged coastline is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. Cinematographer James Neihouse remembers Titanic submarine crew member Hamish Harding, collaborator on 2020 doc One More Orbit, and reacts to tragedy. Are there bathrooms available? It spans more than 600,000 acres, but only has a few designated trails. Ice Hiking. While we were hiking up the trail, someone coming down the trail alerted us about a black bear they spotted in a tree near Marmot Meadows. The Harding Icefield from the end of the trail. Lots of great views 1/2 to 3/4 to top, so possible to make a little shorter and still great hike. You're in for a remarkable day of hiking on this 8.2-mile round trip trail through Kenai Fjords National Park. If you hike at a pace of 2 miles per hour, it will take 3 hours. If youre interested in exploring the rugged majesty of this area, read on to learn more. Few scenes in the world compare to the view across the frozen expanse of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield. Photo of the National Park Service sign that is posted at the trailhead. The Harding Icefield is a large expanse of ice in the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula, which includes Kenai Fjords National Park. What restaurants are near Harding Ice Field Trail? Recommended equipment includes (but is not limited to) sturdy, warm, waterproof footwear, cold weather clothing including synthetic layers and waterproofing, communication devices (no cell service), trekking poles, ice axe, snowshoes or skis, avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel. Harding Icefield. Are crampons suggested to be able to hike on the ice for the last mile? It was a beautiful landscape that we had all to ourselves to enjoy. More than 190 species of both migratory and resident birds have been found in the area, including puffins, cormorants, common murres, pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes, and eagles. We will probably only have time to hike to the Top of the Cliffs. Highly recommend hiking boots and poles for this for the adult hikers. From the loop, the Glacier Overlook Trail extends another .6 mile and climbs part way up the exposed rock to an overlook of the glacier itself. Expect to see and photograph Rocky Mountain Goats, Dall Sheep and other wildlife out of the comfort of one of our DeHavilland Beaver float planes. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile Harding Icefield, which is a leftover of the last major Ice Age. ALASKA ITINERARY: Take the guesswork out of planning your trip to Alaska with our Alaska road trip itineraries. The icefield may be a remnant of the Pleistocene ice masses once covering half of Alaska. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. There are two notable points along the trail (Marmot Meadows and Top of the Cliffs) that make great rest stops or turnaround points. the first shuttle from Seward leaves at 9:30, the last leaves to Seward at 5. The Harding Icefield collects more than 400 inches of new snow each winter to replenish what evaporation and the . But as we started our descent, we noticed fog moving in and visibility was getting worse so we kept up a steady pace until we got below the fog layer. The flow of ice from the edges of an icefield are called glaciers. We walked to the cliffs (the second stop of the trail) and the view was absolutely amazing. You should be capable of hiking uphill. This challenging day hike rewards you with an overlook of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield, the source of 38 named glaciers, including Exit and the tidewater glaciers on the Kenai Fjords outer coast. 1. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Naming the Ice Price: $179 . Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. Visitors can easily reserve one of the Kenai Fjords National Park Tours out of Seward. There is only one established campsite in the park, with tent sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seward Harding Icefield Hike Tour. Save Money by Booking a Package! A steep, four-mile trail leads from the ranger station at Exit Glacier up to the edge of the icefield, affording visitors with a spectacular view and skilled mountaineers with ready access to the ice. . Overall the hike is strenuous but you are rewarded with incredible views along the way. While the majority of visitors stay on the trails and pathways, youll get to experience the picturesque backcountry, ancient glacier ice, and stunning vistas completely inaccessible by the regular traveler. This is a double, triple, awesome unique hike. The parking lot is located at the end of Herman Leirer Road (aka Exit Glacier Road). Distance: 8.2 miles out-and-back Total Ascent: 3,500 feet Elevation at Trailhead: 420 feet Highest Elevation: 3,525 feet Time: 6 to 8 hours* Difficulty: Strenuous. Exit Glacier Introduction to Ice Climbing, Exit Glacier Intermediate Ice Climbing Trip, Harding Icefield Glacier Ski Plane Adventure, 2 Day Ice Climbing Adventure (Heli Option), Alaska Camping Trip In the Unlikely Glacier Valley, MOUNTAINEERING AND PRISTINE SUMMITS COURSE - 3 DAY, Save 10% on Major Marine Tours Wildlife and Glacier Cruises, Total Length: 8.2 Miles RT 3000 ft Elevation Gain. June 22, 2023 - Missing Titanic sub crew killed after 'catastrophic If you would like to exchange one tour for a different one, you must create a new reservation for the new tour and send us an email to cancel the other tour. Allow at least 6-8 hours for the hike. Dont follow paths other people have made in the snow as you may sink into deep snow or you may crush vegetation under shallow snow. Hikes / United States / Alaska / Around Anchorage. Youll be impressed by the sheer power of the place and the fleeting nature of this precarious landscape in a changing world. One of the most visited glaciers in the world, Exit Glacier earned its name from grateful backcountry travelers. Open in Google Maps, Kenai Fjords National Park Harding Icefield Trail, This tour is rated as Strenuous This challenging day hike rewards you with an overlook of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield, the source of 38 named glaciers, including Exit and the tidewater glaciers on the Kenai Fjords outer coast. 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. Get there early because the parking lot fills up by mid morning. Visit our sister company, Kayak Adventures Worldwide, Click here to Learn more about hiking tours, Click here to Learn more about boat + hike combo tours, Click here to Learn more about seward packages, Click here to Learn more about seward farmers market, Click here to Learn more about courses & workshops, Click here to Learn more about all programs & events, Click here to Learn more about meet the collective, Click here to Learn more about stewardship. Tour boats, water taxis, and air taxis are all popular modes of transportation for visitors wanting to explore the park. To the right of the Exit Glacier Nature Center are restrooms. The Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska's Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Seward is the closest city to Kenai Fjords National Park and can serve as your base camp for the duration of your stay. Follow this trail straight out. There is a short interpretive talk at 12pm and ranger-led walks daily at 10am, 2pm and 4pm, from Memorial Day through Labor Day on the Lower Trail, as well as a longer guided hike to the Harding Icefield (gaining 3,500 ft in 4.1 miles) takes place at 9am on Saturdays in July and August. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers. KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK:Check out our Kenai Fjords National Park Travel Guideforimportant travel planning tips, sample itineraries, advice on when to go, where to stay, and more. In addition, enough people had hiked across the snow to create a trough that we could follow. 11 Reviews Seward, United States 2 to 3 days (approx.) This magnificent natural formation measures more than 1,100 square miles all around and has spawned at least 40 glaciers, including the Tustumena Glacier, Exit Glacier, and McCarty Glacier. Icefields form over time as a result of large accumulations of snow that compress and freeze, which then turns into ice. Its longer than what you see posted! What a reward though! Sharp nunataks (lone peaks) break the white horizon, glaciers spill from the ice fields edge, and mountains fill the frame in every direction. Alpine vegetation is extremely fragile. If you have questions about tours prior to booking, please email [emailprotected]. The switchbacks last a little less than half a mile. In addition, during our ice climbing excursion we saw bear feces on the Exit Glacier. Wish we would have trained for it. As we hiked this portion of the trail, we had amazing views of the Exit Glacier coming off the Harding Icefield to our left, mountains peeking out of the snow to our right, and we were crossing the snow in front us. Check out this page to see how you can save money on multiple adventures. Plan Your Vacation Right, Get Accurate Booking Availability. If you have already received tickets, please call the local tour operator phone number listed on your tickets for tour-specific questions as they will be the best resource to answer unique questions. Located near Seward, Alaska, the Harding Icefield is a popular destination for many Alaska Glacier Tours. Majestic views. Most of the hiking was in the woods which reduced the wetness significantly. The trail is strenuous! Harding Icefield Trail in Alaska: The Complete Hiking Guide best things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. Sticking out of the icefield are mountain peaks. About 8 hours to hike from the start of the trail to the ice field. per adult (price varies by group size) The area. You will still have a great experience if you decide to turnaround at either of these points. Big ship or small ship? Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Our website uses cookies. If you love hiking, Harding Icefield is a must-visit place in Alaska. Harding Icefield Trail: Guide To A Rewarding Hike - Global Gadding The trail traverses fragile alpine areas, so please take care not to damage the vegetation via shortcuts. " Jul 2022 (907) 331-4912. I m 56 yrs old and in relatively good shape, but not in great shape! Click here to view location 328 3rd Ave. Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park is a challenging, rewarding, and unique experience all rolled into one. If you are arriving Seward via train or ship, then you might not have access to an automobile. Yes, you can camp at Kenai Fjords National Park! Black bears are frequently spotted along the Harding Icefield Trail as they love to feed on the salmonberries in this area. 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. It is a place where you can witness up close how glaciers re-shape a landscape and learn how plant life reclaims the barren rocky . First, the rain was not heavy, mostly drizzling. Planning to Camp? Notable recent explorations include a 14-hour solo crossing of the icefield from Skilak Glacier to Chernof Glacier and a kite-skiing expedition from Exit Glacier to Grewingk Glacier. From the parking lot, walk towards the Exit Glacier Nature Center. Was amazing! We regularly see bears, moose, hoary marmot, mountain goats, and bald eagles. Kenai Fjords Half-Day Kayaking tour | National Park Book Now Learn More From $125 Ages 9+ The Harding Icefield is one of only four remaining icefields in the United States. Alaska Guided Hiking Tours from Seward | Seward Wilderness Ill stop short of saying that the view across the Harding Icefield is beautiful (its a huge sheet of ice), but the significance of what you are looking at certainly is beautiful. Youll reach the Harding Icefield Trail at about 0.3 miles into the hike. Required fields are marked *. Harding Icefield is the largest of four remaining icefields in the United States. Ascending 1,000 feet over 4 miles is strenuous, tough and at times requires a herculean effort. Duration: 1.5 hours Price: $494 per person The trail will actually turn into the Glacier Overlook Trail just before you reach the Harding Icefield Trailhead. At the Marmot Meadows sign post you may notice a trail split. Theres also a self-guided audio tour on The Alaska App, narrated by the Park Services chief interpretive ranger. We were worried about the hiking plan on 7/7/2022 due to the rain forecast (98-99%) the whole day. Before the early 1920s, local residents paid little attention to the huge icefield in the mountain range behind the town. No tricks, no gimmicks, no hidden fees. Beyond the jaw-dropping scenery, your experienced and friendly guide will share stories, local history, geological features, and answer any questions you have throughout the tour. Best nearby. We hope you find the information on this page useful. It's hard, but absolutely magnificent. Walking Tours. Harding Icefield Hike | Seward Wilderness Collective There are bathrooms available before and after the tour, but this remote trail does not have any toilet facilities along the route. Tour Details Price $179 per person, plus tax Duration 8 Hours 98% of travelers recommend this experience. We also have a guide to the best hikes in Denali. Marmot Meadows is 1.5 miles from the Harding Icefield Trailhead (1.8 miles from the parking lot) with 1,200 feet of total ascent. It was an easy hike and worth the trip to see the Exit Glacier! I have hiked all over the world. "Best Price Guarantee" means we offer the local wholesale rates for all of our tours because Historical Tours. Nestled at the base of Kenai Fjords National Park, this beautiful trail starts at Exit Glacier. Watch the video above! Icefields vary in size and connect a series of glaciers. From there, it winds its way up through hemlock and spruce forests before emerging onto a huge expanse of ice. Car, train, or group tour. from . The NPS plans to repeat this study every ten years to monitor further changes. Children that are highly active or involved in rigorous activities may book this tour. m. ft. Harding Icefield. 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. If getting close isnt enough, you can also join a guiding company for a glacier hike or ice climbing class. After a quick safety briefing and tutorial by your professional guide, head out into the wilderness in one of the most serene places to hike. In 1968, a mountaineering party departed Homer on horseback, traveled up Chernof Glacier on foot and skis, and completed the first ascent of Truuli Peak, the highest point on the Kenai Peninsula. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. For the full list, read our article best things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. Recent scientific studies are documenting significant short-term changes in Alaska glaciers and the Harding Icefield. No matter what type of tour you book, the Kenai Fjords National Park Tours and Alaska Glacier Tours will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see stunning views like the Harding Icefield up close. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. This trip has a maximum group size of 8participants but is often much smaller. 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. Top of the Cliffs is about 6 miles out-and-back. Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots--- they are common sightings up here. Explore the history of how this massive frozen river shaped the landscape, We often see large fauna like bears and goats on this hike, Know yourself! BEST OF KENAI FJORDS: Top things to do include ice climbing on the Exit Glacier and cruising the Northwestern Fjord. If you can devote a full hour for a tour, you can choose between going to the Kenai Fjords and Harding Icefieldwhere you'll see Aialik, Bear and Northwestern glaciersor taking the land-based route to Bear Glacier, Exit Glacier and over Chugach National Forest. Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website. Historical Tours. This tour is not recommended for children under 10. Current weather observations and summary reports can be viewed at the Western Region Climate Centers website: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/ rawMAIN.pl?akAHAR. Head south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway about 120 miles to the outskirts of Seward. Guests should be very active andcomfortable hiking 8.2 miles/over 4000 feet of elevationin one day. To climb and ski its remote peaks and nunataks? Hello, If you're active and enjoy spending time in nature, this tour is perfect for you. The first known crossing of the icefield occurred in 1940 when two Alaskans, Eugene Coho Smith and Don Rising, crossed from Bear Glacier to Tustumena Lake. Historical Tours. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Touring this magnificent wild preserve is easy to do if an experienced tour operator is doing the planning. from . Studies of glacial deposits on land indicate at least four major periods of glaciation. The vegetation along the trail is dense and passes through thickets of salmonberries, a favorite food of black bears. Beyond the Top of the Cliffs the trail still ascends but it is less strenuous. Less than a half a mile later you will reach the Birth Canal, a fun part of the trail that narrows between two boulders. Harding Icefield Expeditions | Exit Glacier Guides Evidence from deep-sea cores suggests that a dozen major glaciations may have occurred during the Pleistocene Epoch. We used them for our ice climbing excursion and we used their sister company (Liquid Adventures) for our Aialik Glacier kayaking excursion. Please do not continue past ice fall hazard signs and see photo for more details. The Harding Icefield Trail starts off as a moderate ascent through brush and trees with occasional stone steps. How much snow was there on the trail? we feel that everyone should get the same lowest price possible regardless of how many Explore different ways to experience this place. Guided tour through the multimedia world heritage presentation. Alutiiq and Denaina Natives were no doubt familiar with the ice and had accessed it, but there is no record of any attempted crossing until 1936. The Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska's Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. Dont be discouraged from doing this hike if it is raining in Seward. While we do accept last-minute bookings, our tours regularly sell out. He headed up Lowell Creek but returned within a week, having learned a crossing like this would be more of an expedition than a hike. The Kenai Fjords National Park wilderness offers breathtaking landscapes, and an array of wildlife. See all 2 Harding Ice Field Trail tours on Tripadvisor, View all hotels near Harding Ice Field Trail on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Harding Ice Field Trail on Tripadvisor, Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park, Hotels near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Motels near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), All things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park, Geologic Formations in Kenai Fjords National Park, Nature & Wildlife Areas in Kenai Fjords National Park, Hiking Trails in Kenai Fjords National Park, Bodies of Water in Kenai Fjords National Park, Harding Ice Field Trail: Tickets & Tours, Harding Ice Field Trail Tours and Tickets, Arenal Volcano Rainforest Walk and Hot Springs, Enjoy Abha Mountains & Nice Weather with this 4 day Shared Tour, Taking Liberty, The Pittsburgh Red-Light District Tour, Dinner cruise on Cartagena's bay with Sibarita Master, All inclusive trip Giza Pyramids,Egyptian Museum,Sphinx,Bazar,Camel Ride,Lunch.
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