In the middle of Kenai Fjords National Park lies the Exit Glacier, a four-mile mass of ice flowing down from the Harding Ice Field. If you hike a couple miles through the forest, it is possible to reach the toe of the glacier, though it has recessed too far for anyone to touch. A four mile trail up the mountain leads to the Harding Ice Field, the source of the glacier. The climb starts in a thick forest of well-developed trees, but the landscape soon changes to a sprinkling of young willows before becoming a meadow of various tall grasses and wildflowers. Pink and purple fireweed stalks frame your view of the cloud-ringed mountains. Even further up, these grasses become short and sparse, quickly changing into hard black rock. At the very top of the mountain is a small wooden shack where you can take shelter from the wind and cold. The walls are graffitied with the names of the people who have been there, but there isn't much else to look at inside. Willow ptarmigans make this area their home, and you can easily find dozens hopping about on the ground or flying in the sky. If you dare to make the steep descent to the Harding Ice Field itself, you can walk along it for miles, enjoying the view of the land below.
Worthington Glacier is a valley glacier located in southeastern Alaska. The climb to it is steep and dangerous, with nothing to prevent you from falling from the ridge and down the side of the mountain. Like the Harding Ice Field trail, it starts in the forest, then becoming a meadow, and then gravel, but the transition is much faster. The higher you go, the stronger the winds become, and the sound of the wind and water will drown out everything else. If this type of climb is not suitable for you, there is a short, leisurely trail to the toe of the glacier as well, which leads you through the mud flats and streams of runoff caused by the melting ice.
In the middle of Wrangell St. Elias National Park lies the Root Glacier. It spans several miles, and, while appearing relatively flat, has a surprisingly varied terrain. To reach this glacier, you have to first take a shuttle bus or walk from either the campsite, McCarthy, or Kennecott, and then trek two more miles to reach the moraines. From there, you can walk along the ice for several miles before reaching the giant wall of ice that is a favorite among ice climbers. On the glacier, you can see a collection of tour groups walking along with a guide and exploring the area. In the middle of the glacier is a small lake-like feature, filled with ice and blue water, with small ice caves and crevasses sprinkled around everywhere.
Originating in the Chugach Mountain Range, Matanuska Glacier is yet another gem that can be easily accessed by land. It is the largest glacier accessible by vehicle in the entire state, extending for 26 miles. Unfortunately, the entrance to the glacier happens to be on someone's private property, so you have to pay a30 dollarfee to get in. However, the price is well worth it. The ice wall a mile orso into it is another popular place for tourists to go ice climbing, and you can find guided groups there all day long. The glacier is relatively safe, but there are a few large crevasses that you would need to watch out for. The ice there is much harder, and more difficult to climb than the ice at Root Glacier, which iscrumblyand snow-like in texture.
These four glaciers are just a few examples of what you can find in Alaska. If you drive along the Glenn Highway or take a cruise around Prince William Sound, you are guaranteed to see countless more clinging to the mountains or floating in the water.If you hike up the Crow Pass, the highest mountain pass in the state, you'll be able to reach the Raven Glacier, and if you take a boat across Portage Lake, you'll be sure to find the Portage Glacierbehind the mountain. These are magnificent rivers of ice, vestiges of the ice age from long ago, and they have shaped the Alaskan landscape to what it is today.
31