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My Life Outdoors

Exit Glacier – Kenai Fjords National Park – Alaska

This summer I had the opportunity to spend some time in Alaska. Although the nature of my trip was not recreational, I did find some time to get outside and enjoy the natural, abundant, beauty of Alaska. One thing I really wanted to do was get up close to a Glacier. Talking to some locals, Exit Glacier, on the Kenai Peninsula, was highly recommended. I was told that I could take a short hike to the edge of the glacier and even get close enough to touch it. There were plenty of glaciers to see from a distance but the up-close nature of the Exit Glacier trail intrigued me. So I headed toward Kenai Fjords National Park and set off on the Exit Glacier Trail.

I soon found out that Exit Glacier is a very popular attraction. Alaska as a whole is overrun with tourists in the summer time and it is hard to find any beautiful spot without them (save paying big bucks for a bush pilot to take you out to the middle of nowhere.) On top of that Exit Glacier is the only part of Kenai Fjords National Park that is accessible by road. The Exit Glacier section of the park features a Nature Center, close to a mile of wheelchair accessible trails, and an easily access short hike to the edge of a remarkable glacier. All of these factors attracted far more people then I usually like to see at a park
.

A very crowded trail to the edge of the Glacier
  
Looking downstream from “Glacier View”

Exit Glacier got its name from the first Harding Ice Field expedition in 1968 that used the glacier as an exit point after spending eight days crossing the Ice Field.

When I arrived at the Nature center I immediately took to the trail turning left through the cottonwood forest toward the Glacier View. Glacier View is small wheelchair accessible viewpoint featuring informative signs and mounted viewing binoculars. I continued another half mile or so up the trail toward the edge of the glacier. When I came to the end of the trail I was disappointed to find out the Glacier has receded over the last couple of years and approaching the edge has become dangerous. It looked like I wasn’t going to get to touch the glacier after all. I did, however, come to within 15 feet of the Glacier’s edge which is the closest I have come to a glacier to date.

 The view of Exit Glacier from the “Glacier View” viewpoint
The Trail to the Edge of the Glacier is a nice, short, easy trail
   
This gives just a glimpse at how huge this Glacier is.
   
This is the closest I was allowed to get to Exit Glacier.Still pretty awe inspiring.

Despite my disappointment it truly was awe inspiring to see such a large chuck of ice slowly carving its way down the mountain.

 A view from the top of the Exit Glacier trail
  
Moose poop is a popular souvenir at many of Alaska’s gift shops. I found some for free at the foot of Exit Glacier. I opted to not take any home. 
   

Although I didn’t have time this trip, I would have liked to hike up the 7.4-mile (round trip) Harding Icefield Trail. This trail Starts on the valley floor, winds through cottonwood and alder forests, to a wonderful view of the Harding Icefield. If you come to Exit Glacier avoid the crowds and take the Icefield trail. You will get wonderful views of the glacier on the way while still not being able to touch it.

NPS Exit Glacier Trail Map

Comments:

  • Rachele

    December 1, 2010

    I'm also from Texas (found your blog from Big Bend Chat) and I had the chance to see Exit Glacier this past May–it is a good choice in the area! I was only able to hike maybe the first mile of the Icefields trail because I ran into a fast flowing creek and deep snow pack (it being late spring and all) and opted to turn back. The campground there in Kenai is awesome too–free, secluded, uncrowded in spring, and with beautiful views of the glacier and surrounding mountains.

  • Steven

    December 1, 2010

    Rachele,

    Thank you for stopping by. I hope to go back to Alaska someday when I will have the time to explore its back-country. When I do…maybe I can head up the Harding Icefield Trail

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