Wrangell-St. Elias Day Tours
Tour the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park from McCarthy/Kennicott
Glacier Hiking
The Root Glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers. You can traverse the white ice of the Root Glacier after walking just two miles on an easy trail from the Kennicott townsite.
Strap on crampons (metal spikes for your shoes) and walk with an experienced guide on this full day or half day tour. Explore the glacier's mysterious ice formations, cascading waterfalls, unusal blue water pools, and other fascinating features. No experience is neccessary!
Half-Day Hike on Root Glacier
4.5 - 5 hour hike: $55.00 per person
Where? Trip departs from Main Street in Kennicott; 2.5 to 3 hours on the ice
When? Daily: 9:00 a.m. / 1:00 p.m.
What to Bring: Extra warm layer, rain/wind layer, hat, sunglasses, snacks/lunch, camera, hiking boots
Full-Day Hike on Root Glacier
8 hour day trip: $110.00 per person
Where? Trip departs from Main Street in Kennicott; 6+ hours on the ice
When? Daily: 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 am departures
What to Bring: Extra warm layer, rain/wind layer, hat, sunglasses, snacks/lunch, camera, hiking boots.
The full day trip gets you places a 1/2 day doesn't. Some of the places you could visit include:
Erie Lake
Before or after this lake empties (usually late July/early August) it's an amazing place to experience. You'll enjoy seeing icebergs, huge views of the Stairway Icefall, and the surrounding mountains. The route taken to Erie Lake depends upon weather and ice conditions.
Donaho Lakes
This is a trip that covers a lot of ground, heading across the Root Glacier and scrambling up the rocky lateral moraine, leaving your crampons with the ice and hiking two miles through the forest before reaching the lake. It's a great way to experience the wonders of the glacier, spend time back in the world of vegetation, and return via ice.
Donaho Falls
If you want a full day tour on the ice but don't want to walk all the way to Donaho Lake, this is a great day trip. Cross the Root Glacier's medial moraine and head for this beautiful waterfall cascading from the Donaho landmass into/under the Root Glacier. Stop for lunch at the falls, and the way home takes you further up the Root, then back across the glaciers medial moraine to explore other areas on the ice before heading back to Kennicott.
Glacier Hike / Kennicott History Tour Combo8 hours: $85.00 per person
This tour combines Kennicott's two most popular attractions, a half day of hiking on the Root Glacier, and a historic tour inside the 14 story mill building of the Kennecott Copper Corporation.
You can choose to hike in the morning and tour the mill building on your return to Kennicott, or start your day with a 9:30 am tour through Kennicott and inside the historic mill building which was built in the early 1900s, and then take your glacier hike after lunch.
Fly-In Day Trips
Donoho Fly-In / Hike-Back Day Trip
8 hour day trip: $245.00 per person / 2 person minimum
Where? Trip departs from McCarthy Airstrip
When? Daily: 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 am departures
What to Bring: Extra warm layer, rain/wind layer, hat, sunglasses, snacks/lunch, camera, hiking boots.
This day trip is a hard one to beat. Begin by boarding a bush plane in McCarthy, and fly up the Kennicott Glacier before landing alongside Donoho Lake. The hike begins by following faint trails, crossing streams, and working your way alongside two lakes which drain the Gates Glacier, and are swimmer friendly. The views of Donoho Mountain, Mt. Blackburn, and other surrounding mountains are postcard perfect.
After lunch at Donoho Falls (where the lakes drain and drop hundreds of feet below the glacier) the crampons go on and the glacier experience begins. White ice, caves, blue lakes, gaping moulins, and massive moraines mark the way across the Root Glacier to the 2-mile trail back to Kennicott.
Skolai Pass Day Trip
8 hour day trip: $550.00 per person / 2 person minimum
Where? Trip departs from McCarthy Airstrip
When? Daily: 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 am departures
What to Bring: Extra warm layer, rain/wind layer, hat, sunglasses, snacks/lunch, camera, hiking boots.
Board a bush plane and enjoy the picturesque 30-minute flight to a small landing strip in the magnificent Skolai Valley. Hiking options include the Seven Sisters Glaciers or cruising into the Chitistone Pass area. Dall sheep, Mountain Goats, Caribou, Bears, and fields of wildflowers highlight this day hike - as well as massive waterfalls and a breathtaking flight over vast glaciers and mountains.
Ice Climbing
A full day of technical adventure with professional guides - Ice climbing courses on the Root Glacier cater to your individual desires and limits. Climb mellow walls all day, or advance to deep holes called moulins. Your guides show and explain to you the basic safety measures involved with climbing ice; checking your harness, setting up ropes and anchors, and other important aspects of safe climbing.
Hanging out on a wall of vertical ice, or being lowered into the guts of the glacier, can be simultaneously empowering, exhilarating, terrifying, and fun.
$110 per person. Two person minimum.
For reservations and more information, please phone (907) 822-5978 or use this form:
