Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a vast wilderness area located in south-central Alaska. It is the largest national park in the United States, covering over 13.2 million acres of mountains, glaciers, rivers, and forests. The park is home to some of the most stunning and remote trails in the world, with hikes ranging from easy nature walks to multi-day backpacking trips. In this article, we will be highlighting some of the best trails in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
- Root Glacier Trail
The Root Glacier Trail is a popular hike that offers visitors a chance to explore one of the park’s most impressive features – the Root Glacier. The trail is an easy 4-mile round trip hike that takes hikers through a forested area to the edge of the glacier. From there, visitors can explore the glacier’s surface and marvel at its unique features, including crevasses, ice caves, and streams.
- Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark
The Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark is a fascinating place to explore the park’s history and learn about its mining past. The area is home to a number of abandoned mining buildings and structures that have been preserved for visitors to explore. The hike to the mines is an easy 1.5-mile round trip that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
- Bonanza Mine Trail
The Bonanza Mine Trail is a challenging 13-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through some of the park’s most remote and beautiful landscapes. The trail starts at the old town site of Kennecott and climbs up into the mountains, passing through alpine tundra, over rocky ridges, and through forested valleys. The trail ends at the Bonanza Mine, an old copper mine that was once one of the largest in the world.
- McCarthy Creek Trail
The McCarthy Creek Trail is an easy 2-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a beautiful forested area and along the edge of the McCarthy Creek. The trail is an excellent place to spot wildlife, including bears, moose, and eagles. It also offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
- Chitistone Pass Trail
The Chitistone Pass Trail is a challenging 45-mile backpacking trip that takes hikers through some of the park’s most remote and beautiful landscapes. The trail starts at the old town site of Chitina and follows the Chitina River up into the mountains, passing through alpine tundra, over rocky ridges, and through forested valleys. The trail ends at the Chitistone Pass, a stunning high-altitude pass that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
- Donoho Lakes Trail
The Donoho Lakes Trail is a moderate 6-mile round trip hike that takes visitors through a beautiful forested area to a pair of alpine lakes. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and is an excellent place to spot wildlife, including bears, moose, and eagles. The lakes themselves are a great place to fish, swim, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.
- Nizina River Trail
The Nizina River Trail is a challenging 32-mile backpacking trip that takes hikers through some of the park’s most remote and beautiful landscapes. The trail starts at the old town site of Chitina and follows the Nizina River up into the mountains, passing through alpine tundra, over rocky ridges, and through forested valleys. The trail ends at the Nizina Glacier, a massive glacier that stretches over 10 miles in length.
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Wrangell--St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a U.S. national park and reserve located in south-eastern Alaska. The park is managed by the National Park Service within south central Alaska. The preserve and park were created by the Alaska Nationa...
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a vast and stunningly beautiful park located in the southern part of Alaska. It is the largest national park in the United States, covering over 13 million acres, and is home to some of the m...