Tripadvisor | Harding Icefield Hiking Adventure provided ... 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, pictured Saturday, July 2, 2016, spans 700 square miles and feeds over 30 glaciers, including Exit . 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. Midway through the journey, transition from vast ocean coastline to otherworldly alpine scenery in Denali National Park. Hike Harding Icefield Trail in Seward + Directions ... 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. 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 Harding Icefield - Kenai Fjords National Park (U.S ...Everything You Need to Know About the Harding Icefield ... Hike it on your own or take this guided tour. Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots--- they are common sightings up here. This edition of Iconic Hikes features one of the only maintained trails within Kenai Fjords National Park, the Harding Icefield Trail. The Harding Icefield Trail is a great ambassador for the changing environment because of how easy . The Harding Icefield, pictured Saturday, July 2, 2016, spans 700 square miles and feeds over 30 glaciers, including Exit . The dramatic coastal fjords and valleys of the park reveal a . 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. This is a long, tough day hike, but along most of the journey, you also have great views of the Exit Glacier. Harding Ice Field Hike: Exit Glacier in the Kenai Fjords ... Exit Glacier retreated approximately 187 feet (57 m) from 2013 to 2014 and park scientists continue to monitor and . My Glacier Guiding Summer - News - Hamilton College It was a warm, sunny July day when my wife and I hiked the Harding Icefield trail. Harding Icefield Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide - Earth ... The icefield was formed during the Pleistocene Era and is the source . Where is the trail head for harding icefield exit glacier hiking trail in alaska. Harding Icefield - Alaska Adventure Center One of Alaska's most accessible glaciers, this behemoth spills from the 1,813-square-kilometer (700-square-mile) Harding Icefield. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile Harding Icefield, which is a leftover of the last major Ice Age. In the spring of 2016 Exit Glacier Guides will be offering two expeditions onto the Harding Icefield for one week each. If you're visiting Exit Glacier, take the trail to the top and enjoy this beautiful hike! Make sure you are dressed properly, as the weather on top is often different than in the Exit Glacier area below. Harding Icefield full day guided hike; Meals Included. 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. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail and be transported to another world. It covers 700-square-miles, however; the reward is sweeping vistas of the entire glacier. Maybe today I would get to see one, and not just . 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. Harding Icefield. The Harding Icefield caps Kenai Fjords National Park and is a huge 700sq miles. The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8.2-mile roundtrip glacier hike near Anchorage. This area has long been studied for the effects that climate change has on glaciers. 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. The Harding Icefield Trail starts off as a moderate ascent through brush and trees with occasional stone steps. For decades, Exit . 4. We partner with Exit Glacier Guides to offer interpretive hikes of the park. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and bird watching and is best used from May until October. Every year, it receives over 400 inches of snow. It covers an area of more than a thousand square miles (by comparison, the state of Rhode Island is roughly 1,200 square miles). Where is the trail head for harding icefield exit glacier hiking trail in alaska. At the top, the Harding Icefield itself can be viewed, its 700-square-mile expanse stretching as far as the eye can see*. And at the end of the trail is a surreal vista of the . The trail gains about 1000' of elevation, so it is not a hard hike. 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. Harding Icefield Trail - Strenuous - This 8.2 mile out and back trail is one of the most breathtaking hikes in Alaska, literally. Most of that area is covered by the Harding Icefield, and it too is so big it's hard to comprehend. I wasn't ready. 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. The Glacier Overlook Loop Trail (taken on a different day than our ice climbing tour). Glaciers And Glory: The Harding Icefield Trail. The Harding Icefield - Trail All Day Hike Harding Icefield Trail climbs 3,500 feet in 4.2 miles to the top of the cliff. This 8.2-mile roundtrip hike is sure to not disappoint if you are ready mentally and physically. 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. I hike up the Harding Icefield Trail every day and spend about seven hours on the ice, hiking up with stops for interpretation. Hiker, 74, injured on Harding Icefield Trail. Harding Icefield Trail The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike. The nearby town of Seward averages 72 inches of rain per year. Pretty impressive if you ask me. The reward for tackling this 8.2-mile (13.2-kilometer) loop track is . The Harding Icefield is one of 4 major ice caps in the United States. Full day hike: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Age requirements: Anyone age 12 and over is welcome. Harding Icefield Trail, Alaska Credit: Galyna Andrushko/iStock. 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. And all in a 13km hike. You'll feel like you're on the top of the world! -----Subscribe to this channel: http://bit.ly/2p1LUQ0#alaskavlo. Additionally, and as this is prime bear country, it's important to have bear spray and to know how to use it. Guided Heli Hiking 3-4 hours total trip length - 50 minutes of heli time $450/person / min of two Alpine meadows, scree slopes, snow, glaciers, rainforest, waterfalls, and an ice field. This is a difficult hike of around 8 miles round trip. Our Hiking Tours Strive To Inspire Hope and Foster Climate Action. 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. 3. Head to this Alaskan national park for a challenging hike amid extreme weather conditions and breathtaking scenery. 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. Re: Looking for a guided Harding Icefield Hike. 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 an American national park that maintains the Harding Icefield, its outflowing glaciers, and coastal fjords and islands. Exit Glacier Guides will get you ONTO the glacier. The hike starts out in lush meadows; it was late June and the snow had recently melted off leaving beautiful wildflowers in it's wake. Harding Ice Field Trail ist ein 14.8 Kilometer langer, stark besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von Seward, Alaska. Harding Icefield Sunrise. We will camp, ski tour, climb nunataks and explore the icefield over six days with full guide support. Difficulty level: Very Strenuous. 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. No surprise Harding is a popular dayhike. 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 Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers cover 700 square miles of Alaska's Kenai Mountains in glacier ice. Private Guided Hiking Tours Seward, Alaska. Explore the mountains, fjords, and glaciers at your own pace with a passionate, knowledgeable guide. After a summer full of rugged off-trail . You'll feel like you're on the top of the world! 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. Located in Seward, Alaska, this trail takes you parallel to the stunning ice field, while showcasing beautiful views of the area around you. And then you get to the top where you will see the incredible Harding Icefield. Length 9.2 miElevation gain 3,641 ftRoute type Out & back This trail is a tough day hike, gaining 3,000 feet of elevation in only 4 miles. The trail includes roots, stone steps, uneven terrain and possibly crossing snowy sections. Exit Glacier. Kenai Fjords National Park is a land where ocean, ice, and mountain meets to form a spectacular and breathtaking landscape. 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. The scenery is incredible as you hike up the mountain and get increasingly better views of the glacier and the Kenai Mountains. Words cannot describe it. The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8.2-mile roundtrip glacier hike near Anchorage. It may not be the easiest way to get up close views of Exit Glacier, but the 4.1 mile uphill route reveals stunning new sights of the glacier at every turn. 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. The Harding Icefield. Guests are in for a remarkable day hike on an 8.2 mile loop along the Harding Icefield Trail. Learn about different glacier formation and view some spectacular ice carved landscapes. 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. Allow all day for this hike-6-8 hours. The 24 hour light makes the foliage grow fast and huge, parts of the trail . Harding Icefield is the largest of four remaining icefields in the United States. Harding Icefield Trail The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike leaving from the Exit Glacier Area. 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. Kenai Fjords National Park is immense. The 8.2-mile out-and-back hike along Harding Icefield is a spectacular outing. 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. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail and be transported to another world. The Harding Icefield trailhead is on the right side of the path. I felt the same way about Denali. It is one of the most accessible valley glaciers in Alaska and is a visible indicator of glacial recession due to climate change. The guides are long time locals, retired teachers and Park Rangers with droves of natural and cultural history to offer. 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. 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. The park is a land where the ice age lingers. We arrived at the Harding Icefield Trail just north of Seward, Alaska mid-morning on the 4th of July. What to See. Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail, Kenai Fjords National Park. 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. 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. Leaves from the Exit Glacier parking lot. Guests are in for a remarkable day hike on an 8.2 mile loop along the Harding Icefield Trail. You can also take the Harding Icefield Trail, a difficult 5- to 8-hour hike where you'll ascend 3,000 feet to get a full view of the icefield. Just beyond the shelter turn right onto the Harding Icefield Trail. Overview. The hike to the Harding Icefield is the only real trail in Kenai Fjords National Park, but what a trail it is! The Harding Icefield Trail in Alaska is one hike that should be on everyone's bucket list. We will be there in July. Explore the Columbia Icefield on foot! This hike near Seward will take you to see Exit Glacier up close and the vast Icefield it is connected to. We were blessed — such days are not common in this area. 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 steep trail climbs 3,000 feet in 3.7 miles. What Makes It Great. Kenai Fjords National Park is a land dominated by glaciers, massive rivers of ice that flow out from the Harding Icefield. Best BoatAk. Harding Icefield Trail - The Arrival. You can also hike the Harding Icefield Trail to a spectacular viewpoint of the Harding Icefield. There is an elevation gain of around 3,300 feet in total. The trailhead is off of Exit Glacier Trail and shares a parking lot. The whole trail takes approximately 8 hours: about four hours to hike up and about 3-4 hours to descend. Valleys, carved by glaciers, litter the coastline of the Kenai Fjord. 1,000 m) to cover in about 4 miles (6.5 km). This is one of the best places to get a visual of how quickly these effects can take place. The chance of seeing bear, dall sheep, mountain goats, and . I also trail run after work, so the moment I sit down I fall asleep! 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. Harding Icefield Trail: 8.2 mile round-trip adventure with 3800 feet of elevation gain. The Harding Icefield trail can be challenging as you gain 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. This guy gave us a glassy stare as we walked by. Hike to hidden backcountry lakes and high ridgelines where, on clear days, Denali can be seen in all its majestic grandeur. Harding Icefield Trail is a strenuous hike and one should be prepared and ready for this adventure. Answer 1 of 15: Is there a company that offers a guided hiking trip for the Harding Icefield hike? That is a different experience than hiking the Harding Icefield Trail. Geography. I first hiked the Harding Icefield Trail in 2013 when I wasn't as strong of a hiker or photographer. 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 trail climbs gradually through forest and brush, alpine wildflower meadows, and finally rock and snow to an overlook of the icefield. 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. an invigorating 8 mile trek that takes you from the outwash basin all the way up to the top of the world. 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. For this reason, it's best to treat the hike as a full-day excursion and set out in the early morning! Words cannot describe it. 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. . The Harding Icefield trail can be challenging as you gain 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. 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. How to hike harding icefield exit glacier trail. Altogether the hike to and from Harding Icefield is 8.2 miles. 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. 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). And it will clearly start uphill shortly after you turn off on it. Sharp nunataks (lone peaks) break the white horizon, glaciers spill from the ice field's edge, and mountains fill the frame in every direction. How to hike harding icefield exit glacier trail. With a focus on climate communication, we'll talk about the changes we are seeing, and what we, collectively, can do about it. What is the best hike in. We climbed a mountain. The Harding Icefield trail has such varied terrain that truly gives you an idea of the diversity of Alaska's incredible environments. It's important to have the 10 essentials just like any other hike. 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.