Alaska Glacier – Harding Icefield – Exit Glacier – near Seward AK
Harding Icefield near Seward Alaska
The weather was clear and the sun was shinning so it was a perfect day to walk the trail past the Exit Glacier up to the Harding ice field a short distance from Seward, AK. Plan on taking 6 to 8 hours from the road up the trail past the emergency shelter and over the ridge for a spectacular view! Some fit runners can make it in a lot less time but it took me over 8 hrs because I stopped quite a bit to take pictures and talk to other hikers.
lichen growing on rock
Be sure to take along a rain jacket, some snacks and a couple bottles of water. This is not a very difficult walk but it is 8.2 miles round trip from the park office. There was still quite a bit of snow on the ground this second week on June and it would be a nasty return trip if you get caught in rain for the return trip. A lot of snow got into my shoes but the weather was so nice and warm I didn’t really notice. Some days can get nasty and rainy so be sure to take rain gear along so you will be prepared if the weather turns.
Trail leading to the Harding Icefield
An emergency shelter is way up in the mountain for refuge should you get in bad enough weather to have to spend the night or whatever. This little cabin is cabled down securely so it will not blow over if high winds come.
emergency shelter
There is parking down at the beginning of the train by the ranger station. The office was closed when I arrived so I headed up directly to the lookout only about a mile in on a wide paved trail up to the viewpoint for Exit Glacier.
emergency shelter
That really is a beautiful viewpoint and most walkers will have no trouble with that and the view is great.
Exit Glacier
Exit Glacier crevices
Exit Glacier
Exit Glacier above. Heading up the Harding Icefield trail below. The beginning part of the trail is windy and has a lot of vegetation but it clears up and the trail is straighter as you gain elevation.
Harding Icefield trail
Marmont on the Harding Icefield trail.
Marmont
There were a few marmonts in the higher elevations. They were chubby and active taking advantage of the long days to get fat. The information at the beginning of the trail warns hikers to be aware that there might be bears in the area but I think they would be in the lower elevations. (not sure really – didn’t see any on this trip.)
new growth in the springtime as soon as the snow recedes
New plant growth seems to spring up as soon as the snow recedes. The Park Services stresses that hikers remain on trails marked by orange survey flags. This allows new growth to take off and also prevents erosion of the park. Most people seem to try to comply and keep the park healthy.
Harding Icefield
Harding Icefield
glacial ice field
Harding Icefield
Harding icefield
Harding Icefield near Seward Alaska – well worth spending the day getting there and back (just keep an eye on the weather). It is also possible to hike out on the icefield. Guided tours are available and those with experience hiking on glaciers often give it a go.
snow on the mountain
dp logo
Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield near Seward Alaska
mountain flowers
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
I am in average hiking condition (at best) and really enjoy getting up in elevation past the tourist viewpoints. I suggest boots and raingear because its a long walk back to the parking lot if the weather turns bad.
There is the Harding Icefield shelter that some might use as a meeting point. I’m not sure really how that works but people seem to stay there at night. There is a ranger station at the parking lot that could provide info about that sort of thing.
One of my friends does take multi day cross-country skiing trips on the icefield itself in the winter but he is not normal and that is rather risky considering hidden crevasses and that sort of thing. Normal people do not do that .
It is amazing how much the Exit Glacier has receded over the years. There are marking stakes alongside the river with the year the glacier was at that point. The river that begins at the glacier is rather clean and cold and empties out near a gravel pit outside of town – Seward.
I often see moose along the river and enjoy trips up there. The park at the end of the road is closed at night so you would have to ask the rangers about overnight stays up on the icefields if you planned to leave a vehicle there. If overnight parking is not allowed you could likely be dropped off and simply head out after checking in at the ranger station. Not sure how that works but they likely want to keep records of who is out there just in case.
you can cover a lot of ground / snow in one day if you give it a full day. Marathon runner types might fly past but most keep a steady pace.
I take plenty of water and some energy snacks. I think it would be foolhardy to set out on the icefield itself without a guide unless you are well experienced in that sort of thing.