The hike we tried to do on Sunday we attempt today. Forecast is for cloudy weather and afternoon shower in Seward but we head out anyway. As we arrive at Kenai Fjord National Park the clouds are breaking up and the Glacier is clear.
If this was 1899 we'd be at the Glacier already
We get the last spot in the parking lot - a good omen
Almost a 1/2 mile to the trailhead
Let the games begin
It's a rock up hill climb. The total hike is 4 miles uphill with a 1,000 ft elevation gain each mile
Good think I'm a Capricorn!
Up to an opening where we can look back on the Outwash Plains
At this point the Glacier is still out of view around the bend
It's a very rock trail in spots
Finally about 1.5 miles in the Glacier comes into view. We run into rangers at this point and they say this is 10 minute rock - some of the National Park rangers make it from here to the 2 mile view of the Glacier in 10 minutes.
We make it to the half way point
We take the well marked path off to the left
Through wild flowers
a peak of the Glacier
and a nice spot to sit, take a break and take in the view
There are people down below on the Glacier
There are people down below on the Glacier
You want to go with an experienced guide with equipment lest you fall into a crevasse
We continue on the trail towards the top of the cliff. Quite the view looking back.
Up ahead are some College grads working as interns for the Student Conservation Association. They maintain the trail, mark it in remote areas where it is hard to follow and remove invasive species of plants. They hike this trail daily carrying 20-30 pound back packs. This trail would be near impossible without their work.
These rocks did not fall conveniently into place.
a little further up we are rewarded with more views of the Glacier
and meander through meadows of wild flowers
Feeling like I'm back in the Sound of Music
On the hike up to the top of the cliff, the sole of one of my hiking boots gave way and was flapping. We asked a passing couple if they had any duct tape - they did not but said they would inquire of people coming down as they went up. Gary spotted them talking to this group coming down.
The tour guide, Natalie had some extra shoelaces and fixed me up
Good as new
Every time you think the view can't get any better - it does
Time to stop for lunch and a short nap
No rest for the weary - we still have 1.5 miles to go
The wild flowers like the higher elevation
I was hoping once we got to the top of the cliff, the hike would level off some - guess not
We ask people coming down how much further and we are told oh about 1/2 and hour you are almost there!
We get over the next pass
We look ahead and see tiny little people on top of that crest to the left. Gary is ready to stop and I almost am too - it looks to be at lease another mile. We decide we've gotten this far and people coming down say it is so worth the effort so we muddle on.
July 27th and we are hiking in snow!
The end is near?
The views are certainly breathtaking
The emergency cabin is finally in view
Gary is bringing up the rear - he is such a good trooper!
We make it to the Cabin
Only .2 miles to go!
and we're there! My shoe repair came undone and had to fix it again.
Looking at the top of Exit Glacier from the backside
The Harding Ice Field. 35 Glaciers flow from here. It is the largest in North America, and is 300 square miles
Wow!
What goes up must go back down. It is 4:00 and we have at least a 3 hour hike back down
A stop to smell the flowers
A view back down to our lunch spot
Then down from the Top of the Cliff
We get back at 7:15. Gary still says the Lost Lake trail is his No. 1 hike. He says this hike kicked his butt - it certainly took the snarl out of me too. I actually felt great when we reached the top - my legs and knees weren't sore at all. The last 1.5 miles down killed us - steep decline down boulders and some stone steps up to 2 feet high - took a toll on the knees. You could see the parking lot - a zip line would make a fortune there!
A whole day to rest up before going back to work tomorrow to clean 6 cabins.
