From the parking lot, we hopped back into the shuttle and 15 minutes later we were back at the Exit Glacier Guides office in Seward. best things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Otherwise, they are provided by the tour company. I did not go to the top, but still had a fabulous hike and saw wonderful views of Exit Glacier. Read all of our articles about Alaska in our. This glacier was the exit point at the end of this expedition, hence the name. We took the Exit Glacier ice climbing trip. Distance: 2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Time: 1.5 hours. Your email address will not be published. Turn on to Herman Leirer Road, commonly called "Exit Glacier Road," at mile 3 of the Seward Highway (AK-9). To step over the edge of the glacier and rappel into the crevasse is a bit unnerving. Good for family and great view of glacier. Also, remember that you are venturing into the high country so itll be substantially colder at the top than in the parking lot, so dress accordingly and be prepared to hike in the snoweven in the summer!! We took lots of breaks. The higher you go, the better the views get of Kenai Fjords National Park. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Offer cannot be applied to previous purchases, Warranty claims, credits, or redeemed for cash. Cool view of glacier. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Wish we had more time in our busy schedule to enjoy more of this AWESOME trail. We only had time to go to the top of the cliffs (about half way), but even that was spectacular. Park visitors and commercial use operators are asked to report any sightings of the moose to park staff in order to help the park assess and manage the area for everyones safety. 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 land exposed by a glacier's retreat. Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park Trail Details: Trail surface: paved concrete, gravel, a natural surface (dirt, rocks); Average trail width: 3 feet; Estimated average grade category: mostly gentle (5% or less) with steeper sections at about 0.6-1.3 miles when going counterclockwise. With some practice, we all got the hang of it. A Perfect 2 Days in Kenai Fjords National Park So, if your out and back was 5.2 miles and the elevation game was 1,565 ft, that means the elevation gain occurred over a 2.6 mile section of trial. And there are many great views of the Exit glacier, mountains and the valley below along the trail.Every morning at 9:00 am during the summer season theres a ranger led hike to the Marmot Meadows which is about a mile and half and about a 1,000 feet up from the nature center. This experience, from start to finish, is a blast. I have hiked numerous trails and the Harding Ice Field trail is easily one of the top three trails I have ever hiked. In Kenai Fjords National Park, we also hiked the Harding Icefield Trail, took a cruise to the Northwestern Fjord, and went kayaking in front of Aialik Glacier. We planned to do this and then changed our minds for several reasons. We loved it. Still, it is doable. You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. By the time we started hiking back to the parking lot, it was 4:45 pm. Exit Glacier. And then it begins to climb. Note: There is limited parking at Exit Glacier, especially during the hours of 10:30 am - 3:30pm. Was an easy walk. Then we would each take turns ice climbing. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. They walked the entire time and did great. Promoting more-inclusive outdoor experiences for all. Hiking poles: if you prefer to use your own. Strenuous going straight up snowpack instead of invisible trail switchbacks. I-10 Exits in California - iExit Interstate Exit Guide These are short, easy hikes that start at the Exit Glacier Nature Center, at the end of Herman Leirer Road, and take about an hour or two of your time. Tatum and Liv setting up the ropes at our first crevasse. It is not an easy hike. 93271, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Wrapping vehicle in chicken wire is no longer advised. If at all possible for you, go on the long hike to the Ice Field. Hiking on a glacier and ice climbing is lots of fun and worth doing at least once in your life. You will also be hiking with a backpack that contains your climbing gear, extra layers, water, and food for the day. KATMAI NATIONAL PARK: In our article Best Things to Do in Katmai, we cover the top experiences in the park. Sunny day. During this time, we met our guides, Tatum and Liv, who both were young, super friendly, and a blast to talk to. This would be a great turn-around spot for families or those who just want a great . Beautiful trail! Can I also Hike to the end of the Harding Icefield Trail on the same day? Next we cover what to expect while ice climbing on the Exit Glacier, from start to finish. Exit Glacier, the only area of Kenai Fjords National Park accessible by car, is one of thirty-five glaciers that flow off the vast Harding Icefield. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. After a quick lesson on how to walk with crampons, we hiked to our spot for ice climbing lessons. Delicious traditional and innovative vegan flavors from Latin America and other parts the World. Required fields are marked *. They can disable a vehicle. Exit Glacier | Travels of a Family Glaciers are dangerous, with hidden crevasses and shifting ice, and it can even be dangerous to just hike on the terminal moraine. Visitors to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska have been warned to watch for a cow moose shot by a visitor and which could be overly aggressive both because of her wound and her calf. By now, it was 6 pm. Also take water and snacks. Exit Glacier Area - U.S. National Park Service Review. Companies that Offer Ice Climbing of the Exit Glacier, Ice Climbing on the Exit Glacier from Start to Finish. Hiked on June 6, 2023. Thats a climb! Also, the signs of how far the glacier has receded is a real wakeup to what is happening in this natural world. You gain about 1000 feet of elevation for every mile you hike. It was another beautiful hike through lush, green forest, but it became steep very quickly and stayed steep for the entire way to Marmot Meadows. Give wildlife plenty of space and view wildlife from a distance. The trail begins along the Exit Glacier Trail, where most visitors go, but splits off before reaching the glacier. Professional guides. Highest Elevation: 3,525 feet Time: 6 to 8 hours* Difficulty: Strenuous There is an additional 0.3 miles each way between the parking lot and the Harding Icefield Trailhead. Hopefully you will get lucky like we did. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. We arrived at the Exit Glacier ranger station as it was closing and the rain was coming down. The hike to the upper view is pretty tough for a somewhat limited reward. Harding Icefield Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide - Earth Trekkers I was able to do the round trip in seven and a half hours. Take the Clean Earth Challenge and help make the planet a happier, healthier place. The Glacier Overlook Trail is a well maintained trail which provides views of Exit Glacier. Increased bear activity is expected, and all visitors should carry bear spray and know how to use it, a park release said. But mostly rock "steps." You dont have to ice climb and you wont be missing out on much by skipping this. Once at Marmot Meadows, you leave the Harding Icefield Trail. The Icefield is the largest in North America, and it remains as a 300 square mile vestige of the last ice age. In 1997, three juvenile male marmots were found alive and well under the hood of a disabled car that had been towed from Olympic National Park to Seattle. Please do not continue past ice fall hazard signs and see photo for more details. People were very friendly and helpful. The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. Driving from Anchorage will take around 3 hours to reach the parking lot of Exit Glacier passing through the town of Seward. From spring through mid-summer, the marmots of Mineral King have been known to dine on radiator hoses and car wiring. Now after 2.4 miles, and at an elevation of +2475ft, youll reach the top of the cliffs and get pretty close to the glacier and the views are simply breathtaking, so take your time and marvel at the sheer size of this glacier. Additionally, Distancesto.com provides a way for you to see where you are going, determine the cost of your trip, the time . A groundbreaking bipartisan bill aims to address the looming wildlife crisis before it's too late, while creating sorely needed jobs. Microspikes and poles were a must. Weather was warm, and the mosquitoes and flies are abundant. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is a text widget. Flush toilets, near the nature center, are operable from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Markers mark the regression of the glacier and there are very informative signs along the way. Marmot Meadows hike to Exit Glacier - Kenai Fjords National Park - YouTube This is my hike to Marmot Meadows to view Exit Glacier, in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska.. Beautiful sunny morning. We also wore gloves and a hat. If you want to step onto the glacier, you should do so with an experienced guide. Ice climbing is tons of funand to be lowered into crevasses and then climb your way out of them is a very unique experience. Inspect under the vehicle for signs of coolant or brake fluid leakage. We drove 10 miles to visit nearby Kenai Fjords National Park, and we hiked the Harding Icefields Trail up to Marmot Meadow which offers a spectacular view of Exit Glacier one of the 40 glaciers that flow from the Harding Icefields. Free ranger talk (good job Kestrel!) Exit Glacier is officially located in Kenai Fjords NP, yet its the only part of this NP that is accessible by car from Anchorage, which makes it easy to explore. 47 10 Top of the Cliffs hike Review of Exit Glacier Reviewed August 27, 2018 Our family of 6 adults hiked to Top of the Cliffs in late July. The sun never came out.Theres a shelter close to the top. The hike starts out in a forest of trees, then turns to bushes and flowers, then some tundra, and then rocks and snow. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of, National Parks Traveler 2021-22 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2020-2021 Annual Report, National Parks Traveler 2019-2020 Annual Report, Get the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, Understanding Climate Change Impacts On National Parks, Colorado River Series-Canyonlands National Park, Not Enough Water And Too Many Invasives At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Mixing Oil And Water At Big Cypress National Preserve, Coping With 21st Century Wildfires In The Parks, Tackling The Maintenance Backlog In The Park System, Backlog Of Maintenance Needs Creates Risks In National Parks, Groups Continually At Work To Acquire Private Lands Key To National Parks, Invasive Species A Plague On the National Park System, Lack Of Dollars Crippling National Park Facilities For Staff And Visitors, Maintenance Backlog Impacts Historic Structures In National Parks, Mixing Energy Development And National Parks, NPS Is Running $670 Million Behind On Caring For Maintained Landscapes, National Park Roads And Bridges Impacted By Lack Of Maintenance, Private Philanthropy Fills The Gaps Of Deferred Maintenance, Wastewater And Sewer Facilities Failing In National Parks, The Care And Keeping Of History Within The National Park System, Oil Trains Pose A Significant Threat To National Parks, 3rd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, 2nd Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, First Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks, Threatened And Endangered Parks: Introduction, Threatened And Endangered Parks: The Lists. It is uphill and at times a bit of scrambling. The e-commerce behemoth purchased a 30-acre office campus from Irvine-based developer Greenlaw Partners and New York-based Cerberus Capital Management for $165 million, according to the Orange . Exit Glacier itself can be seen in the distance as you drive past signs along the road demonstrating the reach of the glacier in years past. This is based on our experience with Exit Glacier Guides.