Alpine Hiking near Alaska’s Wrangell St. Elias National Park
While Wrangell-St. Elias is truly a wilderness park with few marked trails or backcountry facilities, there are great opportunities for alpine hiking in the area. From Kennicott, the old mining roads lead in 3 directions for at least 5 miles.
You can follow along the edge of the Root Glacier to the Erie Mine - about 5 miles out from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge - and get some spectacular views of the 6000 foot Stairway Icefall.
Walk up the mountain to the Bonanza or the Jumbo Mines - about 4 to 5 miles out. Here you are high above the tree line, in the alpine tundra full of delicate wildflowers and lichens. The views of the Kennicott Glacier, Chitina River Valley, and the Wrangell and Chugach Mountains are awe-inspiring.
You can hike back toward McCarthy along either the old railroad right-of-way or take the old wagon road past the Kennicott cemetery. These trails meet in McCarthy - about 5 miles from Kennicott - and you can catch a shuttle bus back if you want.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge provides a trail map in your room showing you how to get started on these trails, or Kennicott Wilderness Guides or St. Elias Alpine Guides offer guides for day hiking.
To explore deeper into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, you might consider a guided fly-in day hike. St. Elias Alpine Guides offers some great day trips flying from McCarthy airstrip to small back country strips for a truly Alaskan wilderness experience.
If you enjoy outdoor activities, you will have no trouble finding things to do near Kennicott Glacier Lodge. If you enjoy alpine hiking, you’ll definitely want to check out glacier hiking where you can actually walk on a glacier! Reserve your glacier or mountain view lodge room online!
