Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
Oct 17th, 2024, 06:51 PM
#1
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Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
I'm trying to research stopping to see Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers but not interested in a helicopter or walking on top of the ice.
Looks like about 20-minute walk (one mile) into the viewport of Franz for a pretty limited view. Any firsthand knowledge of how far away it actually is once you get to the viewpoint?
Similar information needed for viewing Fox Glacier. Seems it is about 5.2 km (3.25 miles) and the photos make it look pretty far away.
Thanks in advance. Most of the internet information wants to sell me a pretty expensive package. Lots of confusion about blocked trails and dangerous river beds.
Looks like about 20-minute walk (one mile) into the viewport of Franz for a pretty limited view. Any firsthand knowledge of how far away it actually is once you get to the viewpoint?
Similar information needed for viewing Fox Glacier. Seems it is about 5.2 km (3.25 miles) and the photos make it look pretty far away.
Thanks in advance. Most of the internet information wants to sell me a pretty expensive package. Lots of confusion about blocked trails and dangerous river beds.
Oct 18th, 2024, 12:50 AM
#2
We used to visit the area annually, but now that we're back in the US, it's been awhile since we were there. I've scoured my trip reports for details, which I have posted below, but keep in mind the walk to the terminal face often changes due to movement in the area.
This from one visit:
We drove the Glacier View Access Road (Fox Glacier) and walked to the overlook, lovely views, and a fascinating tree covered in fungi – 1/2 mile, 15 minute return.
We drove out to Fox Glacier where we walked to the terminal face – the trail steep – the sun blinding (!) the helicopters going nuts overhead, taking full advantage of the fantastic weather (2.18 miles return, 1:15). The track was harder than we remembered; we later learned from our motel proprietor that it was newly built, having been damaged during one of the cyclones.
This from a report a few years earlier:
...we drove to Fox Glacier, where we walked through the glacial valley to the terminal face (one hour return).
...we then drove out to Franz Josef Glacier, where we walked to the terminal face under overcast skies (90 minutes return). The views were less than stellar given the gloom that had moved in, but we enjoyed the walk nonetheless.
No idea if this helps or not, but thought I'd throw it out there.
This from one visit:
We drove the Glacier View Access Road (Fox Glacier) and walked to the overlook, lovely views, and a fascinating tree covered in fungi – 1/2 mile, 15 minute return.
We drove out to Fox Glacier where we walked to the terminal face – the trail steep – the sun blinding (!) the helicopters going nuts overhead, taking full advantage of the fantastic weather (2.18 miles return, 1:15). The track was harder than we remembered; we later learned from our motel proprietor that it was newly built, having been damaged during one of the cyclones.
This from a report a few years earlier:
...we drove to Fox Glacier, where we walked through the glacial valley to the terminal face (one hour return).
...we then drove out to Franz Josef Glacier, where we walked to the terminal face under overcast skies (90 minutes return). The views were less than stellar given the gloom that had moved in, but we enjoyed the walk nonetheless.
No idea if this helps or not, but thought I'd throw it out there.
