Start planning your adventure to America’s largest national park That’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Above, our base camp at Iceberg Lake. We overnighted at Kennicott Glacier Lodge and flew out the next day with Wrangell Mountain Air and St. Elias Alpine Guides.
The good news is the park is accessible by road, although very few folks make the trip. It takes about eight hours to reach McCarthy from Anchorage up through Glennallen, then back down the Richardson Highway and the last 60 miles on the 35-mph-McCarthy Road. Or, just park your car at the Chitina Airport and fly with Wrangell Mountain Air back to McCarthy. It’s a great flight across glaciers, mountain passes and past the old mines that dot the hills around the ghost town of Kennicott.
Sure the mountains and the glaciers are BIG in the park. But keep your eyes peeled for the little things (left). Right now all the plants are budding out. It’s a wonder to behold!
Paddle around the glaciers with St. Elias Alpine Guides, or take a one-day float-and-fly trip: it’s a great all-inclusive one day experience – whitewater, braided rivers, amazing canyon and a delicious lunch. Then, Wrangell Mountain Air picks you up on a river bar and flies you back up the river and over the glacier before landing in McCarthy. Wow!
In addition to the three daily flights from Chitina to McCarthy, Wrangell Mountain Air offers some incredible flightseeing trips from their base at McCarthy Airport (MXY). Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is massive–and Wrangell Mountain Air, led by our friends Kelly and Natalie Bay, give you a bird’s-eye view–like this shot (right) of the Nazina River!! Call them at (800)478-1160 or click through to learn more.
Our friends at St. Elias Alpine Guides have a handful of glacier adventures: full-day and half-day hikes, plus ice climbing! Check out the ice caves (at right)!! NOTE: full-day hikers should be able to hike 8-10 miles with ease.
HINT: We’ve worked with both St. Elias Alpine Guides and Wrangell Mountain Air for back-country trips. They do a great job. Sometimes, it’s down-right POETIC, as in this video with Tim Duffy (one of our backcountry guides). WATCH. LEARN. BE AMAZED!!
So–meet us on the deck at Kennicott Glacier Lodge this summer. Call for more information: (907)258-2350.
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