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The Last Frontier: Alaska
A list of places I reviewed on my trip to…
Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail
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- Good for Kids:
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7 reviews for Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield Trail
So incredibly beautiful!
I reluctantly took this hike after a 4.5 hour kayak trip in Resurrection Bay. Thankfully my laziness was buried by Matt's desire to drag me to this wonder. We briskly took the shortest (1.5 mile) route and it was completely worth it. The glacier is huge and unlike anything you have ever seen. Not to mention the fact it was approaching 70 degrees when I went so that made it all the more better.
This place is awesome. Like it was stated before this place is a must see. There is a trail that its about a mile that gets you pretty close to the glacier. (If you got any closer you could get crushed by it since it is constantly moving). As you drive up there is markers with dates and what those represent is where the glacier stood at that period in time. It kinda sad because it has melted a lot.
Harding Icefield Trail:
Its freaking awesome. Its a 14 mile hike round trip and the views you get to experience are breath taking. Once you reach the icefield the sights are unbelievable. The icefield stretches to who knows where. I did encounter some bears up there so bring bear spray.
For those of us who are geologically inclined, this is a must see, period. It really is a must see for anyone who travels to Alaska because the glaciers are receding and they won't be here forever.
In any case, as you walk up the path to the glacier, there are signs indicating where the glacier was in certain important years. It's a little disconcerting if you really think about it as you walk up the path. For me, it was a geological dream come true. I could actually see what I learned in college. Phenomenal. See the pictures I've uploaded and make sure to visit!
Free! I went to Matanuska Glacier and they charged me $15 per person to walk down a boring, long, dirty trail to a glacier that was pretty dirty itself, the clear ice was in the distance and pretty hard to walk to, and here everything was free! You get into the glacier area free, where there is a nice visitor center (free), then there are three hikes a day (free) with a park ranger! The hike was amazing, beautiful and excellent! It wasn't hard or strenuous either (we did the one in the middle, not the super long, but not the short one either.) Once you get to the glacier it is gorgeous! The hike back isn't half bad either! You will enjoy this one. Not much in Alaska is this good and free!!
If I could rate this 10-stars, I would. Hike of a lifetime. Sights you will never forget. I've been to Alaska twice now, and did this hike both times. It's an amazing place that I would highly recommend to anyone that gets the opportunity. I've added a few pictures to Brook's. I tried not to duplicate the fantastic shots she's posted. It's difficult to capture the beauty of this place in pictures. Amazing!
The Harding Icefield Trail is intense! My husband and I hiked it in early June, when more than half the trail was in snow. We didn't make it to the top (as we were wearing jeans, and were soaked by mid-way). However, we did make it to see the Icefield. It was an amazing sight. It was well worth the intese hike. I would love to do it again when there is an actual trail marked. It was the best hike I have ever been on.
if you like chutes and ladders, you'll love this hike. an invigorating 8 mile trek that takes you from the outwash basin all the way up to the top of the world. 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 slide your way down. in a word, pure glee.
http://www.nps.gov/kef...