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Mt Marathon (Seward, AK)
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:33 pm
by twojaycpa
Anyone familiar with this hike? Will there still be snow in early June?
Anybody have maps/trails to the actual summit (5k), not the 3k tourist summit?
Re: Mt Marathon (Seward, AK)
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:01 pm
by hansolo35
I've hiked Marathon a few times...the lower peak is actually called Race Point and there is a good but steep trail to the top. Views of Resurrection Bay are fabulous and I've seen black bears on each hike up. The real Mt. Marathon is a much tougher endeavor. You can access it via the bowl between Race Point and Marathon. in early summer there are a few snow couloirs that go near the summit. i've been in the bowl and gazed up to the summit but never actually climbed it.
if you're in the area, you should climb a nunatak poking out of the Harding Icefield accessed from the Exit Glacier trail. The views from up there of the icefield would be better than from Marathon.
Re: Mt Marathon (Seward, AK)
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:33 pm
by stoopdude
First time I ever glissaded was a couple decades ago when I was 12 or 13, descending Race Point on family vacation to Alaska. This would've been in July. I certainly don't have any recent or useful condition reports, as I recall the conditions were similar to like June 14ers in Colorado. Streaks of snow/snowfields on the mountain but all largely avoidable.
Re: Mt Marathon (Seward, AK)
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:05 pm
by twojaycpa
hansolo35 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 2:01 pm
I've hiked Marathon a few times...the lower peak is actually called Race Point and there is a good but steep trail to the top. Views of Resurrection Bay are fabulous and I've seen black bears on each hike up. The real Mt. Marathon is a much tougher endeavor. You can access it via the bowl between Race Point and Marathon. in early summer there are a few snow couloirs that go near the summit. i've been in the bowl and gazed up to the summit but never actually climbed it.
if you're in the area, you should climb a nunatak poking out of the Harding Icefield accessed from the Exit Glacier trail. The views from up there of the icefield would be better than from Marathon.
Thanks for the info. I'm guessing Race Point is all the more I'll likely do, I won't have anyone with me that could do the real summit.
Re: Mt Marathon (Seward, AK)
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:54 pm
by ezabielski
There are a few short reports on peakbagger for the true summit. I will say it's a rather burly looking mountain when you're at Race Point looking towards the real summit. The race route is very interesting, a good bit steeper than basically any mile in Colorado. And what a descent!
Re: Mt Marathon (Seward, AK)
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:42 pm
by 12ersRule
ezabielski wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:54 pm
And what a descent!
My first experience with scree running. Fun stuff!
Of course, as you all know, probably, sand dunes are a blast to run down as well.
Re: Mt Marathon (Seward, AK)
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:39 pm
by ltlFish99
12ersRule wrote: ↑Thu Jan 28, 2021 12:42 pm
ezabielski wrote: ↑Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:54 pm
And what a descent!
My first experience with scree running. Fun stuff!
Of course, as you all know, probably, sand dunes are a blast to run down as well.
Sand dunes are also a lot of fun to ski down.