Google "largest protected areas on earth". Wikipedia will tell you that this one is 18th largest on earth and most of the ones higher up on the list are marine reserves. For protected areas of land, Wrangell-St. Elias is the 5th largest. It's just massive in scale. It has the 2nd tallest icefall in the world - second only to the Himalaya. These are the places that draw us.
I'm lucky to have a husband that wants to travel to the same types of places as I do. Beaches don't interest us. We can relax later in life. Right now, we are youngish and healthy and we love mountains and snow. So that's where you'll find us. Yes, we are limited by baby. And grandma would have happily watched her, but we do want to take her along for the ride, when it's appropriate.
The Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains are phenomenally gorgeous and the towns of McCarthy and Kennicott are charming. Both Ian and I had already been to SE Alaska on cruises/fishing trips and wanted to explore something a bit off the beaten path. I'd happily go back to McCarthy again and spend a good 4-5 days there, hiking, flying and rafting.
We explored the region both from the McCarthy (south) end and from the Nebesna Road (north end). Nebesna is truly remote. When we mentioned it to the owner of Alaska Camper Van Rentals, he said he had been there earlier in the season and the road was impassable. We were lucky when we went as the road had recently been graded and the stream crossings were dried up. I can imagine in June and July that this road is not for the faint of heart, but it treated us kindly.
I'm happy we went out of our way to see a part of Alaska that few people ever do and I hope we get to venture a little farther in next time.
Mary has kept in regular contact and prepared me for everything so far
Michael Sinner
1 month ago
Very prompt responses. Erin found us the trip we were looking for and gave us good advice.
Nancy Brown-Koeller
1 month ago
I don’t have the words to describe it but the last week has been one of the best I can remember. 6 days of adventure in South East Alaska including trekking through lush rain forest, sitting in silence listening to glaciers calving, up early to see the northern lights, kayaking and stupidly swimming in iceberg frozen waters ! (That actually hurt).
Animal sightings including black and brown bears, Minke and hundreds of Humpack Whales, porpoises, sea lions, mountain goats, harbour seals, bald eagles, salmon and more birds than I can count. Wonderful friends and connections made. A huge shout out to Trevor and his totally amazing crew on the Admiralty Dream whose energy and enthusiasm made this most incredible experience.
DAVID JAMES
2 months ago
From the initial booking all the way through the trip, this was by far our favorite trip. Small boat travel is the only way to see a location. The excursions were so much more than I could explain. The locations were remote and awesome.
Lori I
2 months ago
Personal, knowledgeable service. We felt so informed and supported before our trip. Highly recommend and would use again.