Harding Ice Field Trail
Harding Ice Field Trail
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Travel_Addict_Cyprus
Michigan1,356 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Even though it was raining, we decided to go on this hike. The trailhead for the Harding Icefield trail is about 0.3m from the parking lot. Before starting we headed to the Glacier View Overlook trail which is about a mile i think. Returning from that we headed to the Harding Ice Field Trail. You need to sign-in at the box at the start of the trail.
The trail is mostly uphill, with switchbacks, and it is rocky with exposed roots. I was glad i had my hiking stick. We stopped a few times to take photos.
At Marmot Meadows (there's a sign letting you know you are there) there is a great view of the Exit Glacier on the left-hand side.
From Marmot Meadows we continued on the trail towards the Top of Cliffs, again going mostly uphill. Beautiful views at Top of the Cliffs, but it was very foggy, windy and still raining. We were soaked through our waterproof rain jackets. Water even got in our waterproof Timberland hiking boots (dripping from the rain jacket possibly) so our feet were starting to get wet. The ranger had said before we started that because of the clouds and fog it may not be worth the hike to the end of the trail. We decided to turn back at this point instead of going towards the end of the trail. We had to get back to the car to change into dry clothes. It was still an enjoyable hike, with good views, but i was disappointed that we didn't get to finish it all the way.
Since this is the only way to access the Kenai Fjords National Park on foot, i highly recommend it if you are in good physical condition. But save the two shorter trails to Exit Glacier views for the end or a different day, to save all your energy for the Harding Icefield Trail.
The trail is mostly uphill, with switchbacks, and it is rocky with exposed roots. I was glad i had my hiking stick. We stopped a few times to take photos.
At Marmot Meadows (there's a sign letting you know you are there) there is a great view of the Exit Glacier on the left-hand side.
From Marmot Meadows we continued on the trail towards the Top of Cliffs, again going mostly uphill. Beautiful views at Top of the Cliffs, but it was very foggy, windy and still raining. We were soaked through our waterproof rain jackets. Water even got in our waterproof Timberland hiking boots (dripping from the rain jacket possibly) so our feet were starting to get wet. The ranger had said before we started that because of the clouds and fog it may not be worth the hike to the end of the trail. We decided to turn back at this point instead of going towards the end of the trail. We had to get back to the car to change into dry clothes. It was still an enjoyable hike, with good views, but i was disappointed that we didn't get to finish it all the way.
Since this is the only way to access the Kenai Fjords National Park on foot, i highly recommend it if you are in good physical condition. But save the two shorter trails to Exit Glacier views for the end or a different day, to save all your energy for the Harding Icefield Trail.
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ethan L
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This was an amazing hike for me and my family. Sure, it was pretty difficult for us, but we made it to the top. The view was absolutely breathtaking and is well worth the time to hike up. About one year ago I had a full knee replacement surgery, and it has left me very limited on what I can do. Making it to the top of the Icefield trail has given me the confidence to go out and do more challenging activities that old me thought was impossible. I would totally recommend doing this hike, but make sure that the weather is clear so that you get to witness the amazing views. :)
Written 8 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa B
Burlington, VT109 contributions
Aug 2021
We just did this hike and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience! I was super worried that I wouldn’t be able to make it all the way but I did! I m 56 yrs old and in relatively good shape, but not in great shape! We took it slow and made it to the end! We took plenty of breaks on the way up and were much faster coming back down after a long break at the top! It was sooo worth it! The views are phenomenal. Also be bear aware! 1.5 miles up we heard a startling grunt beside us on the trail. Then brush snapping and another grunt! We hustled as fast as we could to get out of that forested section! At the end we checked in with the ranger and were told it was a black bear that other hikers actually saw 15 minutes behind us on the trail. That was scary so make sure you take precautions ! Also, like others have said, we clocked the mileage and it came to 10.2. It’s longer than what you see posted! Do it- you won’t regret it!!
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vpar4
High Point, NC177 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We hiked with an 8 and 12 year old and made it to Marmot Meadow. We could have gone higher but there was snow on the trail even when we stopped. Great views along the way and came surprisingly close to a black bear - so be aware on the trail. Would love to go back to reach the top.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina K
Saint Louis, MO29 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Wow, just wow! The whole way up you get stunning views of the mountains, the valley, and eventually Exit Glacier.
My parents wanted to go slower, so they went about 1/3 of the way up to Marmot Meadows, which has great views and the first view of the glacier.
We only went up to Top of the Cliffs (magnificent views!), with the end of the trail & views of the Harding Icefield about 0.9 miles further.
The hike was moderately hard, with pretty much the entire way up being uphill, and pretty steep at times. We are in good shape, and it definitely got our hearts pumping! We encountered bear scat, but didn't see any wildlife. Don't forget to bring a warm jacket because the higher you get, the colder it gets!
My parents wanted to go slower, so they went about 1/3 of the way up to Marmot Meadows, which has great views and the first view of the glacier.
We only went up to Top of the Cliffs (magnificent views!), with the end of the trail & views of the Harding Icefield about 0.9 miles further.
The hike was moderately hard, with pretty much the entire way up being uphill, and pretty steep at times. We are in good shape, and it definitely got our hearts pumping! We encountered bear scat, but didn't see any wildlife. Don't forget to bring a warm jacket because the higher you get, the colder it gets!
Written 27 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JSunderland
Circleville, OH15 contributions
Aug 2021
This is one tough hike. Be prepared to spend a good portion of the day on this one. Steady uphill climb for the first 4 miles, but the views from the top are well worth it. I would suggest trekking poles, plenty of water and snacks. Our total hike from parking lot to the edge of the ice field and back was 11.5 miles. Get there early because the parking lot fills up by mid morning. This is a busy trail, so don't think you will be out there alone.,
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PattyB789
Cincinnati223 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Outstanding hike. Well maintained trail. Majestic views. Wish we would have trained for it. We did make it to the very top. It took us all of 8hrs and I would have liked to rest more both up and down. Trekking poles were very helpful climbing rocks and on snow near the top in mid-July. Lots of great views 1/2 to 3/4 to top, so possible to make a little shorter and still great hike. Top is amazing though.
Written 25 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle
Boston, MA33 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This ~8 mi round trip hike is absolutely worth it. It’s a bit of a tough trail at parts but doable if you pack the right gear (layers, good hiking boots, rain layers, and a good winter hat). It can get cold and rainy up on the field. The views are breathtaking and continue to get even better as you get higher and higher.
At the very top of the hike, there’s an emergency shelter where you can sit and snack and take in the scenery, look at all the people who’ve carved their names/dates into the wood, and then if you want, continue down a trail towards the glacier and Harding ice field (though you’ll want to approach with caution).
At the very top of the hike, there’s an emergency shelter where you can sit and snack and take in the scenery, look at all the people who’ve carved their names/dates into the wood, and then if you want, continue down a trail towards the glacier and Harding ice field (though you’ll want to approach with caution).
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mafischl
Huntington, NY3,296 contributions
Sept 2021 • Friends
I have hiked all over the world. This is, without question, one of the best hikes I have ever done. It's hard, but absolutely magnificent. Once you get above the tree line the views are absolutely stunning. You won't regret it.
Written 17 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aurora09
West Windsor Township, NJ329 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
We hiked this trail with our 10 and 8 year old children. We were very lucky that the weather was perfect. I actually planned our Alaskan trip around this hike. I had initially wanted to come to Alaska a few years ago. But knowing that our kids wouldn’t be able to make the hike, I decided to put off our entire Alaskan trip until the kids are old enough to do it. And I am glad we made that decision. It’s a very tough hike. The total distance is about 8 miles round trip, and you gain 3000ft in elevation. The good thing is that the elevation itself is not bad, starting at 500ft, ending around 3500ft.
It starts with 0.4 miles getting from the visitor center to the trail head. This is where the trail to Exit Glacier forks. Here you can take a picture of the map, so you know where you are and what’s left, sort of. The first mile from the trail head is covered with trees, essentially in bear territory. So be sure to make noise. I’ve noticed people who hike alone sometimes play music. I also saw a couple of people carrying guns in their backpack. We asked the ranger about bear safety, and she told us that as long as you make noise frequently, it’s ok. She has never had to use bear spray on this trail.
At about 1.5 mile marker, we reach Marmot Meadow. Here is a great view of Exit Glacier and an open spot for picnic lunch. From here on, the next mile is the toughest in my opinion. The view starts to open up and it's really beautiful. You can see pretty far ahead what the trail will look like, which is daunting. We saw many dall sheep on the cliff. This part is a steady ascend, and you don’t know how much is left. But eventually, we get to an area where these is less ascend but more ups and downs. But the most important thing is that from there, we can see the shelter, which is 0.2 miles from the end. Once we are able to see the shelter, it gets easy.
OK, it’s not really easy. Not sure if it’s like this everyday. But it was very windy when we were up there. I had to hold my 8 year old’s hand, or else she might be blown off the ridge, seriously. Other than that, this part does get more interesting. We get to cross streams and walk on snow. But seeing the goal is what really made the difference for us.
The icefield is amazing. It doesn’t look that great on picture, because it’s a lot of white nothingness. But it’s an amazing sight to see. Oh, an added benefit, cellphone works once you’ve climbed 2000ft. For us, T-Mobile worked and Verizon didn’t.
The hike down is not necessarily easy. It is easier than ascend, but it is pretty steep, so it’s hard on the knees. And for my younger child, with short legs, the descend is hard. Our total hike time was about 6-7 hours. And my legs were sore for the next 3 days. But it’s totally worth it. We saw almost no other kids on the trail. But I’ve seen an couple in their mid 70s. Alaska is an amazing place.
This turned out to be one of my top experiences in Alaska. The other one that ties with this is flightseeing around Denali.
It starts with 0.4 miles getting from the visitor center to the trail head. This is where the trail to Exit Glacier forks. Here you can take a picture of the map, so you know where you are and what’s left, sort of. The first mile from the trail head is covered with trees, essentially in bear territory. So be sure to make noise. I’ve noticed people who hike alone sometimes play music. I also saw a couple of people carrying guns in their backpack. We asked the ranger about bear safety, and she told us that as long as you make noise frequently, it’s ok. She has never had to use bear spray on this trail.
At about 1.5 mile marker, we reach Marmot Meadow. Here is a great view of Exit Glacier and an open spot for picnic lunch. From here on, the next mile is the toughest in my opinion. The view starts to open up and it's really beautiful. You can see pretty far ahead what the trail will look like, which is daunting. We saw many dall sheep on the cliff. This part is a steady ascend, and you don’t know how much is left. But eventually, we get to an area where these is less ascend but more ups and downs. But the most important thing is that from there, we can see the shelter, which is 0.2 miles from the end. Once we are able to see the shelter, it gets easy.
OK, it’s not really easy. Not sure if it’s like this everyday. But it was very windy when we were up there. I had to hold my 8 year old’s hand, or else she might be blown off the ridge, seriously. Other than that, this part does get more interesting. We get to cross streams and walk on snow. But seeing the goal is what really made the difference for us.
The icefield is amazing. It doesn’t look that great on picture, because it’s a lot of white nothingness. But it’s an amazing sight to see. Oh, an added benefit, cellphone works once you’ve climbed 2000ft. For us, T-Mobile worked and Verizon didn’t.
The hike down is not necessarily easy. It is easier than ascend, but it is pretty steep, so it’s hard on the knees. And for my younger child, with short legs, the descend is hard. Our total hike time was about 6-7 hours. And my legs were sore for the next 3 days. But it’s totally worth it. We saw almost no other kids on the trail. But I’ve seen an couple in their mid 70s. Alaska is an amazing place.
This turned out to be one of my top experiences in Alaska. The other one that ties with this is flightseeing around Denali.
Written 10 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am an experienced hiker with not much time to spend at the Exit Glacier. If I take the Harding Ice Field trail and turn around at Marmot Meadows, how fast can I do this hike? I have a maximum of 3 hours. Thanks.
Written 6 May 2019
Hello,
How much snow was there on the trail? If so, how far could you get along the trail without mountaineering equipment? I am a well prepared hiker but I don't have serious gear for mountaineering.
Thanks
Written 14 May 2018
I will be hiking Harding ice field trail in July. the first shuttle from Seward leaves at 9:30, the last leaves to Seward at 5. That leaves 7 hours for the hike. If I miss the shuttle, what will be my options other than a 5 hour walk to Seward?
Written 4 May 2018
Are crampons suggested to be able to hike on the ice for the last mile?
Written 3 July 2017
Can I do this hike around mid June?
Written 7 June 2017
You might be looking to start at Exit Glacier Trailhead, Seward, AK. (Google that) This will put you on top of the ice field about 8.2 miles round trip. The hike is a burner at 1,000 feet of elevation with every mile. Allow at least 6-8 hours. I was moving pretty fast and was able to finish the hike in 4.5-5 hours.
Written 26 April 2017
Hi,
I wonder if it is safe, especially with bears, to hike on a harding ice field trail without ranger(s). My group will be driving from Anchorage on that day and we may not catch up with the 9-AM hike tour with ranger(s). Thank you.
Written 26 April 2015
i have a cruise that ends in seward. I'm interested in seeing the exit glacier as well as doing the hike. Can that be done in one day. Also are there any idea of how to spend the first half of the next day in seward before departing by train to anchorage.
Written 8 February 2015
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