Exit Glacier 2010 Sign and end of trail

About This Trail

This viewpoint marks the closest approach to Exit Glacier on the maintained trail system. The sign shows where the glacier's terminus stood in 2010—a stark reference point for glacial retreat. Expect relentless katabatic winds funneling straight off the ice, minimal vegetation (the terrain only recently emerged from beneath the glacier), and an immediate sense of presence on a living, changing landscape. The payoff: direct views of the glacier and raw, honest evidence of climate impact.

Highlights

Insider Tips

• The sign itself is the destination—study the 2010 position marker and compare it to the glacier beyond. This visual reference is the entire point. • Arrive mid-morning if possible; afternoon winds intensify. • The outwash plain is visually stark—consider this for photos, but don't venture onto unstable terrain for a shot. • Marmots inhabit the area; listen for their calls. • Check if other nearby viewpoints (2005 Overlook sign, Pavilion walk) fit your schedule—this is part of a larger trail system.

Best Season to Hike

June through August

Family Info

Katabatic winds here are powerful and can surprise you—children must be supervised closely at all times. Ensure kids wear wind-rated jackets and secure hats. The recently exposed terrain is unstable; keep children on marked trail. This is not a playground—it's an active glacial landscape.

What Hikers Say

Hikers report this is a powerful, humbling destination—not a long physical grind, but an intense experience. The katabatic winds are real, the exposure is real, and the evidence of glacial retreat is undeniable. Most say the short walk is absolutely worth the payoff for the glacier views and the stark environmental testimony.