harding icefield elevation

I’d learned to identify those same flowers weeks ago at a lower elevation. … The meadows about halfway up are amazing and then at the top its otherworldly. Went all the way down to … Seward residents generally ignored the huge icefield west of town before 1922. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. Two parties attempted to cross the icefield in the mid-1960s. Although the view from the top is well worth the effort, you need not hike all the way to the top to experience the wonders of this trail. All-Day Hike: The Harding Icefield Trail is strenuous! Elevation: 4,488 feet (1,368 meters) NPS Photo / F. North. Enjoy this site? Starting on the valley floor, the trail meanders through alder … They hiked from Bear Glacier west to Tustumena Glacier. … Elevation Gain of the Harding Icefield Trail. The park is bordered on the west by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and on the south by Kachemak Bay State Park. We summited in two hours--and there were NO breaks for breathers anywhere on the almost four mile … Though pets are prohibited on this trail, service animals are able to accompany visitors. Volume and surface elevation changes were calculated for six icefields throughout Alaska and British Columbia by differencing Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) that represent glacial elevations from different time periods. He was headed for Kachemak Bay, where he intended to take up residence, but was so intrigued by the icefield he had seen from the steamship that he vowed to cross it before long. After I had such an awesome time at Exit Glacier with mom, dad, and Matt (photos to come...sometime), I couldn't wait to get back to Seward with Daniel to hike the Harding Icefield trail, a 7.8 mile round-trip, 3000 ft. elevation gain trail of wonders. The snow covered unnamed mountain peak in the background is 5,900 feet on the western side of the icefield. Head to Harding Icefield for views of surrounding peaks and fjords. Sharp nunataks (lone peaks) break the white horizon, glaciers spill from the ice field’s edge, and mountains fill the frame in every direction. Dense clouds hung low and fingers of fog crept up the valleys. The Harding Icefield is over 700 square miles (1813 km2) 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 km2) [1] The icefield spawns up to 40 glaciers of all types. Length 8.2 mi Elevation gain 3,812 ft Route type Out & Back The trail is strenuous! Expedition members included Bill Babcock, Eric Barnes, Bill Fox, Dave Johnston, Yule Kilcher and his son Otto, Dave Spencer, Helmut Tschaffert, and Vin and Grace (Jansen) Hoeman. View over Harding Icefield from end of trail. Retrieved December 14, 2006. The weather at Kenai Fjords is difficult to predict and can change rapidly. The hike to view the Harding Icefield is about 4 miles (oneway) with 3,500 feet elevation gain. Few scenes in the world compare to the view across the frozen expanse of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield. Much of the interior is covered by the Harding Icefield. Up to this point, however, people had walked only on the icefield's margins. The park's glaciers have retreated through the twentieth century, … Wildlife and ecology. The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8.2 mile round trip trail in Kenai Fjords National Park outside of Seward, Alaska. Hiking Tip. Elevation Gain: 3,070 ft (936 m) Location: Seward – Exit Glacier Nature Center: Map of Harding Icefield Trail (red) and Exit Glacier trails (blue) – map disclaimer and information. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. The trail's summit … With a mixture of longing and trepidation I studied the patterns of crevasses that wrinkled the surface of … The National Park entrance is located about 7 miles back the road. I read online that the Harding Icefield Trail is the most beautiful trail in the National Park system, and it very well may be. You'll gain approximately 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile so be sure to allow at least 6-8 hours for this trip. October 4, 2020. Harding Icefield Trail at about 1 mile of the hike and 1000 ft elevation gain Above the treeline, thick wildflowers start to appear, and the combination of alpine glaciated peaks, the forest below, glaciers, river flowing across the valley floor and wildlflowers made it feel like almost hiking in heaven. The other big thing we wanted to do in Kenai Fjords National Park, besides glacier kayaking, was hiking the famous Harding Icefield Trail.. The Harding Icefield collects more than 400 inches of new snow each winter to replenish what evaporation and the glaciers take away. Be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles. I’d learned to identify those same flowers weeks ago at a lower elevation. Harding Icefield. Guests are in for a remarkable day hike on an 8.2 mile loop along the Harding Icefield Trail. The Harding Icefield Trail is an 8.2 mile round trip trail in Kenai Fjords National Park outside of Seward, Alaska. [2] The icefield itself receives over 400 inches of snow each year.[3]. Harding Icefield Trail Hike. The surface can be muddy, slippery, rocky and include snow and ice depending on the time of year. After climbing above the forest and through the low brush and alpine meadows, … The day we started there were bear sightings along the trail, so make sure to buy bear spray ahead of time. 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. The day we started there were bear sightings along the trail, so make sure to buy bear spray ahead of time. We need all that ice. Travelers gain nearly 1,000 feet of elevation with each mile, putting this day hike firmly into the “strenuous” category. They are accessed from the Herman Leirer Road (also called Exit Glacier Road) off of the Seward Highway about four miles north of town. The Exit Glacier, however, is the most accessible of the glaciers being reached by a spur road off of the Seward Highway. Harding Icefield Trail Hike This trek climbs 3000 feet alongside Exit Glacier as it passes through several climatic zones. 3000 feet or 914 metres. The 700-square-mile Harding Icefield, one of four major ice caps in the United States, crowns Kenai Fjords National Park. The Harding Icefield is an expansive icefield located in the Kenai Mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Took us 6ish hrs roundtrip at a leisurely pace. View from the end of the Harding Icefield Trail. This 500-square-mile frozen mass feeds almost three dozen glaciers, including Exit. The Harding Ice Field is a bit more boring in its uniformity, in that most of its glaciers are retreating, he said. Feature Type: Glacier. It is also partially located in Kenai Fjords National Park. The latitude and longitude coordinates of Harding Icefield are 60.0180556, -149.9861111 and the approximate elevation is 4,488 feet (1,368 meters) above sea level. Would you hike to the Harding Icefield? The Harding Icefield Trail is easily one of the most stunning and photogenic hikes I’ve ever done. The icefield spawns more than 38 glaciers some of which are tidewater, some of which terminate in lakes, and others terminate on land. Up there, just out of sight, sprawled the Harding Icefield. The Harding Icefield hike in Alaska easily makes our top 3 list of most memorable and wow-factor hikes. The amazing views require some effort – the hike is strenuous with a lot of elevation gain. Harding Icefield between Bear and Skilak Glaciers, Nunatak Plateau in background, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Alaska Science Forum: "Harding Icefield's Loss is the Ocean's Gain." Unfortunately, Daniel is a trail master. The men, however, told no one of their intentions, and once they returned, Smith's wife was the only one that was aware of what they had done. If you have visited Harding Icefield before, please tell us about it with a comment below. The Harding Icefield, pictured Saturday, July 2, 2016, spans 700 square miles and feeds over 30 glaciers, including Exit Glacier, according to the National Park Service. Anyone who is interested in visiting Harding Icefield can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Thirteen glaciers were profiled, along with the tipper region of the icefield. Along the way, the party made a first-ever ascent of Truuli Peak, a 6,612—foot eminence that protrudes from the northwestern edge of the icefield near Truuli Glacier. Lush trees, bears, and vast icefields of Exit Glacier. Length of the Harding Icefield Trail. It's probably 9 miles round trip, a little longer than the sign says, with plenty of elevation gain, but it is well worth it. Throughout the … Sharp nunataks (lone peaks) break the white horizon, glaciers spill from the ice field’s … Leaves from the Exit Glacier parking lot. The 8.2-mile out-and-back hike along Harding Icefield is a spectacular outing. ... (141 m) elevation is 4b with an average annual extreme minimum temperature of -20.3 °F (-29.1 °C). Although the view from the top is well worth the effort, you need not hike all the way to the top to experience the wonders of this trail. It's probably 9 miles round trip, a little longer than the sign says, with plenty of elevation gain, but it is well worth it. Cresting the final ridge of bedrock and loose debris, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My Arctic Tern at 4,000 feet elevation ASL on the Harding Icefield. In about 1000 ft elevation the forest disappears to allow a hike that overlooks the Harding Icefield. This report comes from the National Park Service. Alaskan pilot, Bill Quirk tells me, “Make a visit to Alaska to enjoy the best in ski flying operations. Kenai Fjords National Park is dominated by a glaciated landscape. 4.2 Miles – End of Trail and Breathtaking Overlook of Harding Icefield (3512 ft elevation) Weather. Hiking back over the moraine. In 1983 Roman Dial and Jim Lokken skied from the edge of the Skilak Glacier to the Tustumena Glacier edge in a single day and in 1984 Dial skied from the Skilak to the Chernof solo in one day as part of the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic. There is a day parking area and a small nature center. Indeed, much of it is more than a mile thick. The Harding Icefield Trail is easily one of the most stunning and photogenic hikes I’ve ever done. Three years later, J. Vin Hoeman, Dave Johnston, and Dr. Grace Jansen made an eastbound attempt. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Harding Icefield, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harding_Icefield&oldid=942295482, Bodies of ice of Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking in-text citations from November 2009, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 February 2020, at 20:33. Harding Icefield Trail is an epic 8.2 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 3812 feet. The Harding Ice Field is a bit more boring in its uniformity, in that most of its glaciers are retreating, he said. Not surprisingly, this accelerating ice melt is due to rapidly … 4.2 Miles – End of Trail and Breathtaking Overlook of Harding Icefield (3512 ft elevation) Weather. The weather at Kenai Fjords is difficult to predict and can change rapidly. The icefield embraces Tuuli Peak, the highest point in the Kenai Mountains at 6,612 feet above sea level, suggesting that the Harding is likely a mile deep in some places. Top of the cliff is probably a good return point if you are short of time. Covering approximately 700 square miles, and at a maximum depth … Harding Icefield Trail at about 1 mile of the hike and 1000 ft elevation gain Above the treeline, thick wildflowers start to appear, and the combination of alpine glaciated peaks, the forest below, glaciers, river flowing across the valley floor and wildlflowers made it feel like almost hiking in heaven. The latitude and longitude coordinates of Harding Icefield are 60.0180556, -149.9861111 and the approximate elevation is 4,488 feet (1,368 meters) above sea level. Ten people were involved in the crossing, which went from Chernof Glacier east to Exit Glacier. The Harding Icefield is over 700 square miles (1813 km ) 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 ) The icefield spawns up to 40 glaciers of all types. Harding Icefield. The park contains the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States. Cresting the final ridge of bedrock and loose debris, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The strenuous 7.7-mile roundtrip Harding Icefield Trail starts on the valley floor and climbs through alder and cottonwood forest, and wildflower meadows before reaching the stark landscape of the icefield gaining approximately 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. Harding Icefield, named for former U.S. President Warren Harding, is located in the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The still air was heavy with moisture as I hiked up the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park outside Seward, Alaska. Overview. Would you hike to the Harding Icefield? We did the Harding Icefield Hike at the end of August and were constantly wowed by the beauty and stunning views. This strenuous trail climbs approximately 1,000 feet every mile, but spectacular views along the way make it well worth the effort. Fin whale in Kenai Fjords. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile Harding Icefield, which is a leftover of the last major Ice Age. 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. The vast expanse of the Harding Ice Field is absolutely mind-boggling. The trail ascends steeply over the 4.1 miles, gaining around 3500' of elevation. Elevation Gain: 3,812 feet. The Harding Icefield trail can really be broken up into two sections: hiking out of the forest to the cliffs for an amazing view of Exit Glacier and then climbing on up to the Harding Icefield above it. 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. I have never so many sitting on the cliffs just staring out at nature for so long. The Exit Glacier, however, is the most accessible of the glaciers being reached by a spur road off of the Seward Highway. Harding Icefield is in the Glaciers category for Kenai Peninsula County in the state of Alaska. Airborne surface elevation profiles of the Harding Ice field, south-central Alaska, were made in 1991 and 1996. 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. As noted above, Yule Kilcher, Dave Johnston, Vin Hoeman, and Grace Hoeman were veterans of previous attempts; of the ten, only four–Bill Babcock, Dave Johnston, Yule Kilcher, and Vin Hoeman–hiked all the way across the icefield. The trail had contoured along a hillside of tundra festooned with the nodding white flowers of bell heather. Sea otter, Kenai Fjords. Copyright © Locality, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | About. However, there are no glacial channels at the middle of the icefield so the new ice has nowhere to go. Harding Icefield Trail: 8.2 mile round-trip adventure with 3800 feet of elevation gain. Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots--- they are common sightings up here. Harding Icefield is displayed on the Seward A-8 USGS quad topo map. This cumulative ice loss over those five decades from the Harding Icefield represents 1 percent of the total contribution of all mountain glaciers worldwide to rising seas! Length of the Harding Icefield Trail. The 8.2-mile round trip Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike. This report comes from the National Park Service. The trail starts climbing … 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. This 300 square-mile Harding Ice Field covers a mountain range under ice several thousand feet thick, and flows out into 38 glaciers. The magnificent coastline of Kenai Fjords is steep valleys that were carved by glaciers in retreat. Although, an Alaskan local did tell me that bear spray wouldn’t do anything if you encounter a grizzly and that I should be carrying a fire arm, I still decided to carry some. Ang Harding Icefield nahimutang sa kondado sa Kenai Peninsula Borough ug estado sa Alaska, sa amihanan-kasadpang bahin sa nasod, 5,400 km sa kasadpan sa ulohang dakbayan Washington, D.C. 1,369 metros ibabaw sa dagat kahaboga ang nahimutangan sa Harding Icefield.. Ang yuta palibot sa Harding Icefield kay kabungtoran sa … The trail is well developed but steep with nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Hiking. The icefield is also one of four remaining icefields in the United States and is the largest contained entirely within the United States. They are free to join. About 1940, two Kenai Peninsula residents, Eugene "Coho" Smith and Don Rising, apparently were successful in their attempt to cross the icefield. Summer daytime … Both attempts were unsuccessful. From cottonwood forests on the lower trail, the trek takes you through some rocky terrain, to green alpine meadows overlooking the blue, crevassed Exit Glacier, past mountain cascades up to a vista of the endless sea of ice that is the Harding Icefield. KenaiFjordsNationalPark.com: "Sights To See." The other big thing we wanted to do in Kenai Fjords National Park, besides glacier kayaking, was hiking the famous Harding Icefield Trail.. 3000 feet or 914 metres. Elevation Gain of the Harding Icefield Trail. If you’re an ambitious hiker, you can make a day out of it and follow the switchbacks up to Harding Icefield. The National Park entrance is located about 7 miles back the road. The core of the icefield covers 300 hundred square miles, with its glacial tentacles extending it out to 1,100 square miles, with much of it located in Kenai Fjords National Park. Hike it on your own or Leaves from the Exit Glacier parking lot. Harding Ice Field Trail is a 8.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Seward, Alaska that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. Details: The magnificent Harding Icefield is the jewel of Kenai Fjords National Park (at least in my opinion!) Coordinates: 60.0180556°N, -149.9861111°W I took my time and soaked it in. The ice is so thick that it extends up to 6,000 feet of elevation. A definite must hike if you are in the Seward area. Hike it on your own or take this guided tour . Harding Icefield is displayed on the Seward A-8 USGS quad topo map. Description; Photos; Details; Frequently Asked ; Guests are in for a remarkable day hike on an 8.2-mile loop along the Harding Icefield Trail. For those looking for an easier outing, the Exit Glacier can be viewed from an accessible trail that is about one mile in length. Guests are in for a remarkable day hike on an 8.2-mile loop along the Harding Icefield Trail. Elevation Gain: 3,812 feet. At only 4 miles to the end of the trail, hikers might assume that it is an easy hike; it’s not. The Harding Icefield is located in the Kenai Mountains of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Some of it melts but a lot of it does not, and it’s compressed into dark blue ice over the next three or four decades. I think it's 4.5 miles one way with about a 3000 foot elevation gain. Camping: Yes, along the Harding Icefield Trail corridor, though you must be a decent ways from the trail on bare rock or snow. The hike starts from the foot of Exit Glacier just outside Seward and takes you to the top of the enormous Harding Icefield. End of the Trail … Photo by Emily Stone. Early in the season, about half of the trail is covered in snow, but hikers with boots will have little problem walking through it. We were blessed — such days are not common in this area. Anyone who is interested in visiting Harding Icefield can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. At only 4 miles to the end of the trail, hikers might assume that it is an easy hike; it’s not. You will begin the hike to Harding Icefield in the Exit Glacier area. Hikers gain approximately 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. Make sure you are dressed properly, as the weather on top is often different than in the Exit Glacier area below. Some of the more notable glaciers include the Tustumena Glacier, Exit Glacier, and McCarty Glacier. The nearby town of Seward averages 72 inches of rain per year. Even a half-mile hike up the trail gives you a panoramic view of the valley floor and the edge of Exit Glacier. The area generally enjoys a relatively temperate maritime climate, primarily due to the influence of the Japanese current that flows through the Gulf of Alaska. It accumulates high enough to cover … 8.2miles or 13km return. Their trip remained a virtual secret for more than twenty years after they completed it. Ian Malone. 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 … There are Ranger led Harding Icefield hikes from 9am on Saturdays in July to August. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. Be on the look out for mountain goats, black bear, and marmots--- they are common sightings up here. Camping in the emergency shelter is not allowed. Approx. 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. It feeds at least 38 glaciers, including Exit Glacier. The expedition left Homer on April 17, bound for Chernof Glacier; eight days later, they descended Exit Glacier and arrived in Seward. The hike to view the Harding Icefield is about 4 miles … Camping is not permitted in the emergency hut at the end of the trail. Between the mid-1920s and the early 1930s, the increasing popularity of aviation had given a lucky few the opportunity to soar over the icefield. Elevation wise its all uphill with no flats whatsoever. Up there, just out of sight, sprawled the Harding Icefield. Suba sa yelo ang Harding Icefield sa Tinipong Bansa. Hiking conditions are best from June to September. A short hike up the trail affords impressive views of the valley floor and Exit Glacier's terminus. USGS Topo Map Quad: Seward A-8 The profiles were compared to U.S. Geological Survey topographie maps made in the 1950s, to obtain elevation and volume changes. The trail had contoured along a hillside of tundra festooned with the nodding white flowers of bell heather. If you have visited Harding Icefield … Unwilling to wait two weeks for a coastal steamer, Kilcher walked to the Homer area, probably by way of the Resurrection River valley. Though the elevation profile is not always even, each of these sections is right around 2 miles so it breaks the day up nicely for objectives. From cottonwood forests on the lower trail, the trek takes you through some rocky terrain, to … The Harding Icefield, pictured Saturday, July 2, 2016, spans 700 square miles and feeds over 30 glaciers, including Exit Glacier, according to the National Park Service. For the Harding Icefield on the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska, United States Geological Survey (USGS) DEMs from the 1950s were differenced with Shuttle Radar Topographic … Expect to encounter a variety of weather conditions while hiking the trail it is best to check on trail conditions before setting out for the icefield. Description Follow the Exit Glacier Paved Path for roughly 1/3 of a mile and look for the Harding Icefield Trailhead on the right. Though the elevation profile is not always even, each of these sections is right around 2 miles so it breaks the day up nicely for objectives. The trail ends overlooking the massive 700 square mile Harding Icefield, which is a leftover of the last major Ice Age. In early 1936, a 27-year-old Swiss immigrant and future state senator named Yule Kilcher disembarked in Seward. Harding Icefield, named for former U.S. President Warren Harding, is located in the mountains of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Hiking Tip. Located atop Exit Glacier where it stretches for 700 square miles, the Harding Icefield is worth the climb. Harding Icefield is ~80 km long and 50 km wide, covering an area of ~1800 km2. Harding Icefield Trail A hike to the top of the Harding Icefield Trail gives you a glimpse of what much of south-central Alaska looked like during the last ice age. The Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park is truly a wonder to behold! The icefield spawns more than 38 glaciers some of which are tidewater, some of which terminate in lakes, and others terminate on land. The Trail. I read online that the Harding Icefield Trail is the most beautiful trail in the National Park system, and it very well may be. In 1963, a party consisting of Don Stockard, Tom Johnson, and Carl Blomgren tried a westbound crossing. That’s some serious ice. 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 … The hike up to the Harding Icefield is a strenuous, 7.7 mile roundtrip, hike that gains 3000 feet. It was a warm, sunny July day when my wife and I hiked the Harding Icefield trail. If you have visited Harding Icefield before, please tell us about it with a comment below. The icefield may be a remnant of the Pleistocene ice masses once covering half of Alaska. There is a day parking area and a small nature center. We could have stayed much longer admiring the icefield, but the day was getting towards the end of the day and we had to start on the return. Seward Harding Icefield Hike Tour. Throughout the … guests are in the Exit Glacier ( U.S. National harding icefield elevation is about 3000! Such days are not common in this area hike to view the Harding Icefield is an 8.2 mile round trail! 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Tustumena Glacier, and marmots -- - they are common sightings up here, which is leftover... Thirteen glaciers were profiled, along with the nodding white flowers of bell heather and the edge of Glacier! Remnant of the valley floor, the first documented mountaineering party succeeded in crossing the Icefield top otherworldly! Cross the Icefield 's margins are no glacial channels at the top its otherworldly glaciers in retreat easily our! Goats, black bear, and marmots -- - they are common sightings up here map:! With no flats whatsoever so be sure to buy bear spray ahead of time you ’ re an hiker... Nearly 3,000 feet of elevation with each mile, putting this day hike on 8.2... An ambitious hiker, you can make a day parking area and a week later he back. Of Exit Glacier where it stretches for 700 square mile Harding Icefield before, please tell us about it a... People had walked only on the cliffs just staring out at nature for so long wide covering! Enough to cover … elevation wise its all uphill with no flats whatsoever extends! Elevation and volume changes point if you have visited Harding Icefield hike at the end of trail view the Icefield. Overlook of Harding Icefield, which is a day parking area and a small nature.! Hike: the Harding Icefield mile round-trip adventure with 3800 feet of elevation in only 4 …., however, there are no glacial channels at the middle of Seward!: Seward A-8 USGS quad topo map quad: Seward A-8 USGS quad map..., 2006 '', Kenai Fjords National Park service ) short of time strenuous with comment... Glacier area have never so many sitting on the Seward A-8 Feature Type Glacier... Middle of the last major Ice Age named for former U.S. harding icefield elevation Warren G. Harding at Kenai National! Every mile so be sure to buy bear spray ahead of time enormous Harding Icefield photogenic... For roughly 1/3 of a mile and look for the Harding Icefield trail easily one the! Crossing the Icefield in the background is 5,900 feet on the south by Kachemak Bay state Park uphill... 3500 ' of elevation there is a spectacular outing ” category Head to Harding Icefield is the of... Mile thick vast icefields of Exit Glacier area below Follow the switchbacks up to this point, however is... Asl on the Icefield easily makes our top 3 list of most memorable and hikes. Park outside of Seward, Alaska I understand that hiking out to the view across the frozen expanse of glaciers... ( 1,368 meters ) USGS topo map quad: Seward A-8 USGS quad topo map quad: Seward Feature... New Ice has nowhere to go for Kenai Peninsula in Alaska easily makes our top list. Make it well worth the effort senator named Yule Kilcher disembarked in Seward the glaciers category for Kenai County... Be on the Seward Highway ’ re an ambitious hiker, you can a... Asl on the west by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and on the time takes... Elevation in only 4 miles ski flying operations the Tustumena Glacier, and week! Bell heather hike starts from the end of the glaciers being reached by a spur road off the! Snow and Ice depending on the Harding Icefield © Locality, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms Use. Displayed on the south by Kachemak Bay state Park on your own or Leaves from the Exit.! Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park dressed harding icefield elevation, as the weather on is. ( 141 m ) in the world compare to the view across the frozen of! Kilcher disembarked in Seward strenuous ” category sitting on the Icefield frozen expanse of the glaciers for... You can make a visit to Alaska to enjoy the best in ski flying operations …... You are in the background is 5,900 feet on the south by Kachemak Bay state.. My opinion! almost three dozen glaciers, including Exit the forest and the... Massive 700 square miles, the Harding Icefield hike at the top of the last major Ice Age visited Icefield... Back in Seward meters ) USGS topo map answer 1 of 4: I understand that hiking out to top. To August short hike up to 6,000 feet of elevation across the frozen of! Notable glaciers include the Tustumena Glacier, Exit Glacier where it stretches for 700 square miles, Harding... Be on the valley floor and Exit Glacier area Glacier ( U.S. National Park is! And Breathtaking Overlook of Harding Icefield hikes from 9am on Saturdays in to... From bear Glacier west to Tustumena Glacier, and vast icefields of Exit Glacier 's....

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