A Chubby Girl’s Guide to Hiking Byron Glacier

As a proud chubby traveler, nothing gives me more of a pit in my stomach than someone suggesting a hike. Things could either go really well- or really… not. As soon as a hike hits the itinerary, I frantically scour the internet trying to find out every single detail. I must brace myself by knowing the exact length, incline, time, difficulty. I guess you can say I enjoy an “outdoor stroll” rather than a “hike”. The good news is – Byron Glacier is a perfect fit! It’s easy to do and is incredibly scenic (and can be part of an epic day trip from Anchorage)! Here’s a chubby girl’s guide to hiking Byron Glacier in Alaska!

Getting There

The Byron Glacier Trailhead is easy to reach by car, and is only about an hour outside of downtown Anchorage. It’s an easy addition to an itinerary and very close to Portage Lake and the Whittier Tunnel.

We visited in the later afternoon and had no trouble parking, but the lot is small. I’d recommend either doing early or later in the day to ensure you’ll find a spot! Also keep in mind the time of year you’re visiting. Summer is peak season so things will naturally be busier. I always recommend checking Google Maps while planning, using the feature below. It will show you the popular times so you can schedule your day accordingly.

The Hike

The hike is an easy 1 mile “there and back” gravel trail that leads you to the base of the mountain. There is some elevation gain (about 100 feet), but it is very gradual and manageable. Unfortunately there are not any benches to stop and rest along the hike, but the trail parallels a river for a long stretch and there were large rocks that we stopped at. The trail is also plenty wide enough to let others pass you, or step off to the side as needed.

While the hike is only about an hour, I’d plan to budget for about an hour each way. Granted we may have been moving slowly as it was one of the last stops during our busy day, but taking time to move slowly and take in the stunning views is important! While hiking Byron Glacier, you are literally surrounded by mountains: to the front, back, left, and right! It’s spectacular, and truly a “pinch me” moment.

The End of the Trail

Once you get to the end of the trail at the base of the mountain, there is a small area with benches to rest and enjoy the scenery. You can also walk just about 100 yards off of the trail into a clearing to a large glacier (pictured at the top of this page) that has a natural river running underneath. My brother even drank from it, and said it was some of the best tasting water he’s ever had! (I don’t recommend this, however!)

Take time to relax and breathe in the crisp mountain air. You earned it!

Beyond the Base

After hiking Byron Glacier trail, more adventurous travelers continue on – literally up the mountain – to the ice caves. From the pictures I’ve seen, it looks incredible, but you will definitely need to be an advanced hiker with special equipment. We chatted with a couple who were coming down from the hike, and they had serious hiking gear with them- hiking boots with spikes, ice picks, camelbacks, etc. If making it up to the caves is your end goal, I’d absolutely recommend finding a guide to take you up. It looked tricky and intense. We were totally fine enjoying the views from the base. They were worth it!

What to Wear

Depending (of course) when you are visiting, your outfit will certainly vary. Keep in mind however, that you are literally in the mountains. Even in summer, these mountains are snow capped, meaning that it’s always colder here than at sea level! Dressing in layers in any season will be key.

We visited in late-September and, as you can see above, there was already snow on the ground. I wore fleece leggings, sneakers, a sweatshirt, winter jacket, and a warm hat. Other than forgetting gloves, I was perfectly content. In the winter, wearing warmer gear will be important, and in the summer you won’t want to forget your long sleeves.

We managed to do the hike in basic running sneakers, but there were times that hiking boots would have been nice. There were large puddles on the trail and if you took one misstep, your foot was submerged. Take some time to see what the weather has been a few days before you go to help make your footwear decision. If it has been dry, sneakers will be no problem on this hike.

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