Kenai Fjords National Park - Exit Glacier Entrance - Seward, AK
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 60° 11.310 W 149° 37.891
6V E 354081 N 6675312
This entrance and visitor center at Exit Glacier is the only road access to the Kenai Fjords National Park, but to really appreciate the park, you need to go out by boat with a National Park Ranger.
Waymark Code: WMA0PE
Location: Alaska, United States
Date Posted: 10/27/2010
Views: 12
In and surrounding Seward is the breathtaking Kenai Fjords National Park, along the south coast of Alaska. This park includes one road entrance to Exit Glacier, and acres and acres of land that is accessible only by boat or seaplane.
The waymark is located at the Visitor Center for the Exit Glacier entrance. The way from Route 9 is windy but easy going and travels along the Russian River. At one point there is a turnout with a view of Exit Glacier. Along the way, you will also see four digit numbers on signs on the side of the road. The signs mark the location of the edge of Exit Glacier that year, starting from about 1900. You're a long way from the glacier at that point (roughly a half mile). After talking with the ranger to get 'oriented' walk up the trails to the glacier. At the time of the visit, it was no longer possible to touch the glacier; the glacier and surrounding landscape was too dangerous to walk on. But, you can certainly see the glacier up close and see the scoured marks left on the rocks below when it used to flow there.
Kenai Fjords NP also covers land on both sides of Resurrection Bay. The way to really appreciate the park is to go on a smaller cruise boat and have a National Park Ranger give a narrated tour. There are a couple companies that have these cruises.
The Exit Glacier Visitor Center is open from May 15 to September 19. Days and hours open vary during the year. It is generally open on weekends only in May, and open all days from June to mid September. There is a note on the web site, though, that states the Exit Glacier area is open all year. No fee is collected at the Visitor Center, any more, but donations, are gratefully accepted. There is also a Visitor/Information Center in Seward, near the anchor display, that is open at similar days and times. There are no entrance or camping fees for this park, however there is a modest fee for their public use cabins.
Kenai Fjords National Park was established in 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The park covers 1,760 sq mi (4,600 km2), and includes mountain slopes, parts of the Harding Icefield, lakes, and much of the bay.
State/States the Park is located...: Alaska
Park Designation: Park (inc. National)
Times the Visitors Center (or Park) is Open....: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Months the Visitors Center/Park is open...: From: 05/15/2010 To: 09/19/2010
Website From the National Parks Service Page of this Waymark...: [Web Link]
SECONDARY website.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenai_Fjords_National_Park
Are pictures included?: yes
|
Visit Instructions:
Please post a picture or pictures with this log.