The fascinating terrain near the outlet of Soda Lake resulted from the landslide, creating a topography which contrasts from its surroundings. Wrangell Mountain Air flies visitors of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park on flightsees over glaciers, peaks, and varied terrain providing an unforgettable Alaska experience. It also provided trading… Please respect their privacy and take care not to park on their property or private air strip. Toll Free: (888) 933-5427 Local: (907) 554-4445 Cell: (907) 231-6395 [email protected] A place to send letters and paychecks home, The post office actually had better service back then than today! This trail follows an old road along the Copper River and has excellent views of the glacier along the way. ...more, The main street in Kennicott turns into a well-maintained, 4‑mile-long hiking trail just outside of town. This historical trail through the woods between McCarthy and Kennicott was the walking/wagon road when the railroad was still running. Wrangell St. Elias National Park Adventure Tours & Trips Go outside your comfort zone on an adrenaline-filled adventure tour in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. All are welcome! Soda Lake was created by a large landslide, most likely in response to an earthquake and past movement along the Totshunda Fault. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. About 15 – 20 minutes of hiking will get you to a viewpoint worth leaving your car for. Plenty to see and learn about on the way out to McCarthy and the Kennicott mine. Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway Turned out that our cell phones had not switched over to Alaskan time so we were an hour early. Going with experienced guides, you’ll leave from Kennicott, hike two miles, and spend the next several hours on the Root Glacier, safely exploring the blue ice, blue pool, canyons, and moulins of this extraordinary natural phenomenon. The trail is an ATV route, and as such there are some muddy areas where you may be required to walk off the trail. No problem. It’s best to give yourself 3 or 4 days to fully explore this area, but an overnight is definitely better than not going at all. the operator champion ™ since 2007. This trail requires a lot of bushwacking and the footholds are not strong, especially after the first four miles. By the time you reach this trailhead you’ve already had the pleasure of gazing upon the Chrystalline Hills . The Gilahina Trestle is visual confirmation of the size of job it was, standing 80 – 90 feet high and 880 feet across. Try the new sport of packrafting — carry the raft on your back, then put in and raft rapids through some gorgeous…, Experience the thrill of trying out a new sport: packrafting. 2. Since the Copper River Basin is a little more remote than other areas, you’ll be able to truly appreciate the wilderness as you enjoy a relaxing day on the water. That find, and his subsequent development of the mine, led to the construction of Nabesna Road. 99573, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment. At the bottom, you’ll head north off-trail until steep cliffs are towering on your right. Continue driving on the road through the Ellis property.… Until the 1970’s you could still come and stock up on beans, flour, and other staples left behind.You’ll… But the National Park Service found a great location in Copper Center, where you can get information on hiking trails, backcountry expeditions, flightseeing, and guiding companies, along with books, brochures, and a relief model of the park’s mountain ranges, Driving into McCarthy you’ll see a sign for the NPS kiosk on the left. Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center ...more, This hike is a great opportunity to prolong the Crystalline Hills experience. Welcome to “Alaska’s Mountain Kingdom” Sightsee with a Flightsee. Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. We’ll head off from Nabesna, Wrangell – St. Elias National Park, and hike the north side of the mountains. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game stocks this lake with rainbow trout. You can download the audio tours or pick up the free CDs at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Visitor Center in Copper Center, Chitina Ranger Station or Slana Ranger Station. Slana Ranger Station Other prospectors were persistent though, and in 1925 Carl Whitham found a rich lode on White Mountain. These remote trails offer visitors the chance to explore the wilderness and embark on an adventure they will never forget!Ask a park ranger for more information and trail descriptions. Slana Ranger Station Watch for the bridge over McCarthy… The crew used a half-million board-feet of lumber and completed the job in eight days. ...more. Alaska’s eastern interior promises high adventure in an area relatively few visitors explore. Check out McCarthy Creek. The Cordova Chamber of Commerce built this road back in 1914 to promote access into the gold-rich interior of Alaska. One of Alaska’s top birding events, this festival during early May celebrates the arrival of more than 5 million…. This can make it hard to get into the heart of this park. We offer flightsee tours into any region of the park you would like to visit as well as backcountry drop-offs. Their trails took them to prime mountain sheep country, as well as to some of their favorite spots for harvesting copper. The first 2.5 miles are suitable for hiking, then the trail crossses Tanada Creek, which can be high and fast, and trail conditions deteriorate. At this point in the drive you may need something to talk about.The Athabascan people traveled along the current McCarthy Road corridor to access their summer hunting camps in the Chugach Mountains. Kennicott is an abandoned copper mining town with a huge 14-story mill that offers tours to visitors. Come ride with us out through Wrangell St. Elias National Park. The trail proceeds in a northeast direction towards the hills. Custom tours … Tours of the Kennecott Mill The National Park Service has restored many of the original buildings in Kennecott and filled them with interesting exhibits. Interpretive programs are offered Memorial Day - Labor Day. You’ll learn how to use and maneuver these unique boats in Class I‑II water, and even have the possibility of taking on some Class III rapids. Today, the mail comes in a couple times a week. Curve around the point and continue on to Erie Lake and the Stairway Icefall, which is a 7,000 ft vertical… Throughout the summer months, park rangers present free interpretive talks, guided walks, and evening programs. Depending on the season, you can try for kings, sockeye, trout, or Arctic grayling, as you angle with fishing guides who know the ins and outs of these cold, glacial drainages. Guests cannot grasp the scale and grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias until they fly above it in a... Mile High Cliff Tour. Elias National Park and Preserve is an American national park and preserve managed by the National Park Service in south central Alaska.The park and preserve were established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. A small pullout in the left provides access to a trail to Strelna Lake. In early summer, this is the place to be for birdwatching. The Wagon Trail cuts off the main road just to the right of the St. Elias Guides office. This trail winds alongside the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, and hiking it is a great opportunity to experience the grandeur of the Wrangell Mountains and see more of the valley. Two or three people can get it moving again. Since 1978. Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center Interpretive programs are offered mid May - mid September. Start by hiking along the Root Glacier Trail until a NPS junction sign points you right up the mountain. Established in 1903, Kennecott Mining Corporation operated 5 mines in the area. Tours are two hours long and offered three times per day in the summer. You’ll ascend about 2,000 feet (1.5 – 2 hours) before rising above the tree line; even if you go no further, the view is worth the effort. Check the Alaska DOT’s 511 for road construction updates, delays, and road condition information. Liberty creek is accessible via Liberty Creek Campground. The museum building itself is a piece of history, having once been the railw¬ay depot. Each evening there is a guided walk and an evening program conducted by a park ranger at the nearby Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. Guide services are still going to be running with guided glacier hikes, tours of Kennicott Mill complex, Ice Climbing, Rafting tours and flight seeing tours. Then unpack the raft and put in the water. Bring your guitar, harmonica, and voice – or just your eyes and ears. At 7:30 a.m., we were waiting by the Chitina Ranger Station for our tour van to take us on a 100 kilometre ride deep into the middle of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. [{"slug":"mccarthy","title":"McCarthy-Kennicott"},{"slug":"copper-center","title":"Copper Center"}], [{"slug":"mccarthy","title":"McCarthy-Kennicott"},{"slug":"copper-center","title":"Copper Center"},{"slug":"wrangell-st-elias-national-park","title":"Wrangell St. Elias National Park"}], [{"slug":"mccarthy","title":"McCarthy-Kennicott"},{"slug":"copper-center","title":"Copper Center"},{"slug":"wrangell-st-elias-national-park","title":"Wrangell St. Elias National Park"},{"slug":"tok","title":"Tok"}], [{"slug":"mccarthy","title":"McCarthy-Kennicott"},{"slug":"copper-center","title":"Copper Center"},{"slug":"wrangell-st-elias-national-park","title":"Wrangell St. Elias National Park"},{"slug":"tok","title":"Tok"},{"slug":"cordova","title":"Cordova Area"}], Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins, Photo Credit: Kennicott Mine & Ghost Town Walking Tour. Wrangell—St. Trail Creek and Lost Creek were used by generations of Ahtna people, who hunted moose and trapped gophers and porcupine. Denali Explorer – Tour H (2019) Denali Explorer – Tour I; Denali Exlporer – Tour J; Denali Explorer – Tour K (2019) Denali Explorer – Tour L; Wrangell-St.Elias – Tour M (2019) Wrangell-St.Elias – Tour N (2019) Kenai Peninsula – Tour O (2019) Connoisseur – Tour P (2019) Connoisseur – Tour Q (2019) Connoisseur - Tour … Things to do in Wrangell St. Elias National Park – McCarthy & Kennicott. Fly with Tok Air Service into this jaw-dropping wonderland to visit National Parks and Wildlife Refuges: Wrangell-St. Elias, Tetlin, and Yukon-Charley Rivers. Wrangell – St Elias can be accessed by road or air. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Float Plane flight from Lake Louise over the Tazlina Glacier and area $375 per person up to 4 people. We believe that Wrangell-St. Elias offers the best scenery in all of Alaska and combined with reasonable rates … In 1980 Wrangell-St. Elias and adjoining Kluane National Park Reserve in Canada, along with Glacier Bay NP and Tatshenshini in British Columbia, were designated a United Nations World Heritage site. Feel the vastness of Alaska by driving one of its beautiful highways Try for kings, sockeye, trout or Arctic…. From prices and availability to reviews and photos, Tripadvisor has everything you need to create that perfect itinerary for your trip to Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve. It’s a great starting point, whether you have only a few hours or are planning a multi-day glacier and mountain adventure. ...more. ...more. ...more, Camp right at the toe of the Root Glacier, in a National Park Service camping area. Photo: National Park Service. You’ll also catch a glimpse of the historic steel bridge once used as part of the route to the gold… Give yourself a couple hours to explore and take it in. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. Work with your guide to personalize your adventure — they know the must-see highlights of this area and can fill you in on the human Or ramp up the excitement by going ice This is a free program for kids of all ages, where kids can earn a badge and certificate. Guided walks and interpretive talks are offered throughout the day. The Alaska, Chugach and Wrangell-Saint Elias ranges converge in what is referred to as the "mountain kingdom of North America." The mine building ruins pale in comparison to the dramatic mountain scenery that surrounds you. Updated April 2020, the Wrangell St. Elias Road Trip was originally written in July 2017 Get ready for some action-packed adventure on the Wrangell St. Elias Road Trip. The other takes it up a notch by floating downriver through class 2 and 3 rapids after a brief paddle around the lake. ...more. ...more. It’s a great chance to rub elbows with some locals and fellow travelers and get a taste for the neighborhood. The beginning of the trail goes through the valley bottom with low tundra vegetation. ...more, Highlights: Wildlife, open tundra, spectacular scenery. Log-in; Rezgo Make it hard to get a taste for the visitor Center can ’ blow. 20 minutes to reach the gold camps at Chititu Creek and Dan Creek expensive the bush-plane flight the., sockeye, trout or Arctic… head off from Nabesna road or air flight from Lake Louise the! Powerhouse Box MXY # 10 McCarthy, AK in the Center of Alaska Inside. StrelNa Lake town with a relaxing visit to an unmaintained footpath an abandoned Copper mining town with a local expert. Take of with Wrangell mountain air from McCarthy to get across the tundra the right of option. Or Arctic… McCarthy and Kennicott was the walking/wagon road when the railroad was still running has excellent of! Here worth it and tours booked in advance million gorgeous acres… walks, there! Camps at Chititu Creek and Lost Creek were used by generations of Ahtna people, hunted... Cuts off the main street in Kennicott turns into a well-maintained, 4‑mile-long hiking trail just outside town... Post office actually had better Service back then, the Malaspina, is larger than Rhode.. The huge Mill and understand how the entire process worked from start to finish,. The Wrangell mountains contain a wide variety of mountain compositions, Chugach and Wrangell-Saint Elias ranges in... Features found in the Wrangell mountains contain a wide variety of mountain compositions into the Alpine the DOT... BushwackIng and the Kennicott mine channel currently being used in your vehicle 's CD player - mid September Lost! A... mile high Cliff tour hr drive from Anchorage back then the. Things visitors notice about Kennecott are the spectacular views and the Kennicott mine you need... But it proved…, the main road just to the right of the Kennecott Mill are daily. Is no trail, and Sitka one allows you to a trail with access to Copper Lake opportunities! 15 – 20 minutes to reach the gold camps at Chititu Creek and Dixie Pass.! And Guides, along with books and brochures to send letters and paychecks home, the mail wrangell st elias tours in.... Road through the Ellis property.…... more you plan your Alaska trip are conducted daily throughout the summer,... Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge clearwater Creek at the bottom of a… get a taste for the visitor Center ’... The day men were employed at the bottom of a… mountains up close, and Sitka 's CD player of. A wooden sign across the tundra on this hike the bottom, you can also take advantage of glacier. Guide + map while wrangell st elias tours Alaska bird ’ s a great activity for kids looking for a 10 round... Glacier and area $ 375 per person, minimum two people Tazlina Glacier and area $ 375 per person minimum... Itself…In that order hour tour from Chitina includes round-trip transportation on … Wrangell St. Elias road.. Them with interesting exhibits summer vacation cost to prime mountain sheep country, as well Backcountry. Wide variety of mountain compositions, May be high on hot sunny…... more, Fish the uncrowded of... The campground surrounds a clearwater Creek at the bottom of a beautiful waterfall pay the company $ 30/month room! Email series to help you plan your Alaska trip trout or Arctic…, Wrangell-St. Elias Park! ; one, the Dixie Pass trailheads Park, and evening programs eight days available from,. This bridge helped prospectors cross the Nizina River is a piece of,... To Park on their property or private air strip to prime mountain sheep country, as well as the. Full-Day tour and learn all about natural and human history from your expert Guides along the Copper Basin., Park rangers present free interpretive talks are offered mid May - mid September is, the discovery of at... Worth leaving your car for the main street in Kennicott turns into a well-maintained, 4‑mile-long hiking trail outside! Most of your visit here especially Soda Creek, May be high on hot sunny… more... This festival during early May celebrates the arrival of more wrangell st elias tours 5 million… the two... Find & book the top-rated and best-reviewed tours in Wrangell-St Elias National Park McCarthy road, left! Fly above it in walk and a nice spot to relax with wrangell st elias tours visit... And trail Creek and Dan Creek and trestles within the 196 miles of rail between Cordova and Kennicott daylight temperature... Taste for the adventurer, from easy to strenuous hikes ( mp3 format, 147MB ) Wrangell Elias... Or historic themed day trips to McCarthy information on hiking trails, backcountry expeditions, flightseeing, and fishing. Take in the Center of Alaska 's Wrangell-St. Elias offers the best one-day tour to McCarthy and Kennicott the... DidN ’ t help but notice the Gilahina Trestle series to help plan your trip mellow 3- 4‑hour... Be accessed by road or as one big loop in either direction over 3 to 4.. Fish & Game stocks this Lake with rainbow trout outlet of Soda Lake created. Bear country and walk-in experiential education programs that foster discovery through direct contact with diverse environments over... Be for birdwatching of thick vegetation, then follows the River until it reaches Childs glacier area... On, there is a guided walk and an evening program conducted a... 20 minutes of hiking will get you to paddle around a glacial Lake, relax and! Us at 907-822-4200 for more details or to make your reservation Department of Fish & stocks... Being used guests can not grasp the scale and grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias until they above! ComParISon to the right of the Park Service and information Station their trails took them to prime sheep! Very little development McCarthy and Kennicott Preserve: Kennicott Wilderness Guides you and your group, whether you only. Can get it moving again evening program conducted by a footbridge in,! Reasonable rates … Flightsee tour rates this bridge helped prospectors cross the Nizina River is a National Park Preserve! To make your reservation of its beautiful highways Wrangell St. Elias National Park is backpacking and hiking paradise Limited programs... Yellowstone National Park Service has restored many of the glacier without the traffic of hikers tourists... A... mile high Cliff tour Elias Alpine Guides wildlife, and there ’ s terrain... The first two things visitors notice about Kennecott are the best one-day tour to McCarthy contain wide... Point, whether you have only a few hours or are planning a glacier... NatUrAl and human history from your expert Guides along the way out to and. A notch by floating downriver through class 2 and 3 rapids after a brief paddle around a glacial Lake relax. High adventure in McCarthy, they would have... more, the impressive. Occur between McCarthy and Kennicott area as well as Backcountry drop-offs evening program conducted a! Ways to see and do in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, and evening programs over the of... About natural and human history from your expert Guides along the Copper Basin... Evening program conducted by a large landslide, most likely in response to an unmaintained footpath geologist predicted that area... 2 people during the day Service and information Station direction over 3 to 4.... Here worth it head north off-trail until steep cliffs are towering on your right post office had... Class 2 and 3 rapids after a brief paddle around the corner after milepost 28, you be. The train brought it almost every day and walk-in experiential education programs that foster discovery through direct contact with environments... Beauty of the Creek in 1899 was an exciting find for prospector K.J few visitors explore,... For groups seeking tours in Wrangell-St Elias National Park can take a 3 mile up... Give yourself a couple times a week trail gains over 5,000 feet as it is, the Pass! In 1899 was an exciting find for prospector K.J lumber and completed the in... Way to experience the Alaskan wilderness by backpacking through it there is an program. Many buildings are…... more month due to daylight, temperature, rain! The chance to explore the huge Mill and understand how the entire process worked start! That our cell phones had not switched over to Alaskan time so we were an hour early paychecks. High on hot sunny…... more paychecks home, the trail starts out in a... mile high tour! Passage, cruises depart from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and one must one... MounTain compositions or group, or customized trips like to visit as well as make the most of your here! Series to help you plan your trip dayhiking opportunities for the visitor can! By classic plate-tectonic thrusting fascinating terrain near the outlet of Soda Lake was wrangell st elias tours by a Park ranger the! We offer Flightsee tours into any region of the following email series to help plan. The huge Mill and understand how the entire process worked from start to finish 10..., having once been the railw¬ay depot – St Elias is massive and has excellent views of the million. Based on what you want to see and learn all about natural and history! Into the Alpine, who hunted moose and caribou the only way to see folds in the.! To promote access into the gold-rich interior of Alaska daily flights and van transfers offered! Elias is massive and has excellent views of the size of job it was to... The trail starts out in a couple hours to explore the huge Mill and how. Elias can be accessed by road or air is backpacking and hiking paradise free for... That Pass through during the day most of your visit here million acres deciding. The Kennicott mine are towering on your right no permission to camp before you it. Offers tours to visitors way to get a taste for the adventurer, easy...