If you're looking for busy, noisy touristy spots, stay away from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, home to nine of North America's 16 tallest peaks. But if your goal is to drink in the sheer beauty and peacefulness of an area often passed over by visitors and Alaskans alike, this park should be a high priority.
Located near the Tok Cutoff via the 43-mile Nabesna Road on the northern end of the park and from the Edgerton Highway/McCarthy Road on the west side, the area offers outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, rafting, flightseeing and wildlife viewing.
Those interested in the historical aspects of the area can tour the Kennecott Mill, a national historic landmark. The Kennecott mines, which operated between 1911 and 1938, include 70 miles of subterranean tunnels behind the present-day Kennicott Glacier Lodge and were connected to the mill by aerial trams.
Besides camping, accommodations include 13 cabins available for public use within the park, two of which must be reserved in advance. Visitors can obtain information from the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitor Center complex at Milepost V 106.5 on the Richardson Highway.
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS ATTRACTIONS*
Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center
The new visitor center features exhibits, a film on the park, a ranger program and a nature trail with views into the park.
WHERE: Mile 106.8 Richardson Hwy., Copper Center
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, late May to late Sept.; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as staffing permits in the winter
PHONE: 907-822-7250
Information on the natural history and geology of the area and the colorful history of the Kennecott Mine Corp. are found in this visitor center operated by the National Park Service. The renovation of the mine has led to its listing as a National Historic Landmark.
WHERE: At the end of McCarthy Road: park and take the Park Service shuttle to Kennecott in the middle of the renovated Kennecott Mine.
WHEN: Open Daily 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., June to early Sept.; closed in the winter
COST: Free
PHONE: (907) 822-7476
A replica of the historic buildings that comprised the Kennecott Mine, the lodge sits in the middle of the town and overlooks the Kennicott Glacier. Enjoy hiking, biking, rafting, flightseeing and more from this remote location.
WHERE: Park vehicles at the end of the McCarthy Road by the Kennicott River. A private shuttle picks up guests across the Kennicott River footbridge
WHEN: 2015 Season: May 23 - September 12
COST: Starting at $189/night, double occupancy; online specials available
PHONE: 907-258-2350, 1-800-582-5128
Root Glacier
After the long drive/shuttle to McCarthy, you might be ready to stretch your legs. Try the hike to Root Glacier. Check in with the ranger station at the entrance to the Kennicott Mill Site and they'll help you get oriented. It's a 4.7-mile trek and suitable for family hiking. Watch for bears. Fresh water is abundant. If you're prepared for it, camping along the route is allowed.
WHERE: Starts behind the Kennicott Mill Site, but check in with rangers before you set off.
WHEN: Mid-June to early Sept.
COST: Free
Wrangell Mountain Air flightseeing
If you have the time and funds, it would almost be absurd to make it to the edge of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and not take to the air for the best views of beautiful, untouched wilderness. There are several flightseeing operations that offer tours of varying length. The pilots at Wrangell Mountain Air are true experts.
WHERE: McCarthy Airport
WHEN: Flexible (call for details)
COST: Starting at $110/person (two-person minimum) for a 35-minute tour
PHONE: 1-800-478-1160
*Editor's note: The print edition of the visitors' guide was published with incorrectly filed entries under "Wrangell-St. Elias Attractions." For online readers, those entries have been moved and re-filed under Wrangell Attractions. We apologize for any confusion.
This information appeared in the 2015 Alaska Dispatch News Visitors' Guide to Alaska. Contact special sections editor Jamie Gonzales at jgonzales@alaskadispatch.com.