Alaska Hiking & Backpacking - Kenai Fjords (Seward)
Although Kenai Fjords National Park is most easily accessed by boat, there are some opportunities for those of us who are limited to shoe leather as a means of transportation. The Exit Glacier area features day hikes of varying intensity, most notably the Harding Icefield trail, which runs beside Exit Glacier to the Harding Icefield.
The icefield itself is traversable on foot or (preferably) cross-country skis for adventurous souls who take the time to familiarize themselves with the hazards of glacier travel. Major crevasses are well marked on topographic maps and can be avoided if some care is taken. The park has its headquarters just outside of Seward, which is a four hour drive from Anchorage.
Seward has outlets for camping and fishing gear, as well as full-service grocery stores. Near Seward, primitive, unmaintained trails run west up Mount Marathon, a strenuous day hike that rewards the successful with a sweeping view of Resurrection Bay. Another trail runs southward along the bayshore, eventually reaching the old World War II coastal defense installation on Caines Head, a popular destination for backpackers. Much of this route is submerged during high tides; consult local tide tables before setting out.