JACKIE118

On the Kenai Fjords Cruise tours what is the comparison between the 6 hr tours and the tours that just do Resurection Bay?

My point being I'd love to see all the wildlife and Glaciers Calfing. Would Resurection Bay be enough or do I need 6 hrs?

I would also like to walk out to Exit glacier. Is this only possible by renting a car and driving out to it? If so, how long of a drive? We will then be heading up to Anchorage to rent a round-trip car

Is Resurection Bay part of the National Park?

My son has a national park passport book does anyone know where to get the book stamped? You don't actually get off the the tour boat?

Thanks

KarenL

Jackie118. If anything I'll move this up for you. I haven't been to Alaska yet but am in the process of planning a June 2004 trip. The concensus of opinion on this board seems to be that you need to do the longer Kenai Fjords trip 6 or 8 hour etc. trips to see the most wildlife.

As for Exit Glacier, its right there about 3miles outside of Seward. The short hike from the parking lot upto the Glacier, I am told is about 2 miles. There is a longer hike that takes you up higher into the Harding Ice fields that will allow you to look down on the the Glacier. This hike is much harder and longer. I beleive another thread on this board said something about organized shuttles out of Seward. I would check with the Seward tourist office/chamber of commerce about that.

If you haven't already, type in Alaska or exit glacier or seward in the topic box at the top of the page. You will get a ton of good info.

Have fun.

Connie

We took the 8 hour tour with lunch, loved it and wished we had done the 11 hour tour. We definitely will next time.

If you are coming in on a cruise, I know the cruise ships have bus tours out to Exit Glacier--we saw them come out to the glacier when we were there.

Exit Glacier is part of the national park. I would think they could stamp your son's book.

BudgetQueen

My opinion only but the short boat tours aren't even worth going on. You need at least 6 hours on the water for a good deal of wildlife viewing. Exit glacier is about 12 miles from Seward- NOT 3. A cab would be the most efficient, but in season the visitor center can hook you up with a shuttle. But verify they are still doing this. There are ranger activities and the hike is worthwhile to the upper viewing.

ChristieP

I was there last fall, and it was a nice hike from the parking area to the glacier. I'd estimate it was only half a mile from the lot to the glacier. Wear good hiking shoes (waterproof) and you can get to the glacier and stand right up next to it!

There were rangers there, but as I recall, there wasn't a visitors center to stamp the book. Maybe the rangers have a stamp?

KarenL

See that, so I got a little bit of bad information before then. I was told that Exit Glacier was 3 to 5 miles outside of Seward and the hike upto it was about 1 1/2 miles to 2 miles.

Thanks for correcting me.

Connie

There is a booth where you pay and there is a small ranger building just as you start the trail.

Connie

There is a booth where you pay and there is a small ranger building just as you start the trail.

We didn't do the Ice field trail but the sign warned it would take most of the day and would be very strenuous.

dwooddon

I concur with the post that basically said, the longer the boat ride, the better. You are not going to see glaciers calfing in Resurection Bay. You will see seals, otters, birds, and maybe a whale or two but you need to get out into the National Park for glaciers, a larger variety of sea and bird life, and for most of the whale viewing opportunities.

My view would be the 6 hour trip would be the minimum I'd take but I'd skip the lunch on Fox Island. If you can find a tour that adds the extra time in the National Park rather than stopping at Fox Island, that would be ideal.

Connie

That was weird.

The national park service site says it is 13.7 miles to the Glacier parking lot from Seward and another 1/2 mile easy, partly paved trail to the glacier.

It also said there is a ranger center at both Exit Glacier and at the docks in Seward.

BudgetQueen

Seward and another 1/2 mile easy, partly paved trail to the glacier.



There are 2 short trails , the easy level trail above goes to the base of the glacier along the river. The upper trail- gets the close views. Then there is the all day Harding ice field trail. There is definately a ranger station there, in addition to the fee collection area. http://www.nps.gov/kefj/trip_plannin...%20Glacier.htm