Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Lodge-Based Adventure

Travel to McCarthy and check into your accommodations. Meet your guide and explore the area at your own pace. For an upgraded experience, consider adding a guided history tour with St. Elias, featuring a 2.5-hour walking tour of Kennicott Town and its historic mining buildings. This tour is available only if arrival is before 2 PM.

*Arrival time to McCarthy will vary depending on your inbound travel method.  Please discuss with your trip planner the best options for your travel to McCarthy.

Today you get to choose your way of exploring Root Glacier. Set out for a hiking day trip with your guide today.

Glacier or Hiking Day Trips:
*Please note that these hiking trips may include terrain challenges such as uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation, and walking in crampons on uneven glacial surfaces. Please talk to your Trip Planner about the most suitable options for you. 

Half-Day Glacier Hike (5-6 hours)
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike the Root Glacier and explore stunning features like waterfalls, crevasses, moulins, and blue pools. Begin with a walk through the historic Kennicott Millsite, followed by a moderate two-mile hike to the glacier with views of Mount Blackburn and the Stairway Icefall. Once on the ice, use crampons to navigate and discover the glacier’s unique formations with your guide

Full day glacier hike (7-8 hours)
Difficulty: Moderate
Explore the Root Glacier on a full-day hike, discovering blue ice features, slot canyons, and hidden landscapes. Enjoy views of Mt. Blackburn and the Stairway Icefall, while learning about the area's history with a tour of the Kennicott Millsite.

Donoho Lakes hike (big day, only for the super fit/active) (8-10 hours)
Difficulty: Challenging
Hike across the Root Glacier, starting from historic Kennicott to a hidden lake with stunning views. Navigate creeks, icy ridges, and see blue pools, waterfalls, and moulins. Take in breathtaking views of the Stairway Icefall, Donoho Peak, and Mt. Blackburn. The hike ends at a serene lake, where glaciated peaks reflect in the water. On the return, explore different routes to see more of the glacier.

Ice Explorer Hike and Climb (mix of climbing and hiking) (7-8 hours)
Difficulty: Challenging
Offers the perfect mix of glacier hiking, ice climbing, and rope-access exploration. Starting with a history walk through Kennicott, the trip includes a four-mile hike to the Root Glacier, where you'll experience the thrill of climbing, hiking, and exploring blue ice features. This private, customizable tour lets you decide your adventure with the guidance of your expert. Discover stunning views of Mt. Blackburn and the Stairway Icefall while learning about the area's geology, flora, and fauna.

Full Day Ice Climb (7-8 hours)
Difficulty: Challenging
Ice climbing on Root Glacier offers a unique, Alaskan adventure. After gear fitting, hike to the glacier where your guide will teach the basics of climbing. Explore various climbing sites, including moulin ice formations, and enjoy views of Mt. Blackburn and the Stairway Icefall. This is the perfect experience for both beginners and seasoned climbers.

Glacier's Edge hike (Good for those who are physically unable to do a longer trip on the glacier) (4-5 hours)
Duration: Easy
This hike offers stunning views of the Kennicott Glacier Lake and Stairway Icefall. Walk through forests and wildflowers to the glacier's terminus, witnessing the dynamic landscape as icebergs drift and plants regenerate. Explore diverse ecosystems while learning about geology and glaciology in a peaceful, less crowded environment.

After breakfast, meet early at 8:30 AM for a flight from McCarthy to the field. Spend the day exploring the wilderness with no fixed schedule with your guide. Pickup from the field will be in the late afternoon to early evening.

*Note: Backcountry flight costs are based on truly remote destinations to hike such as Skolai Pass, Iceberg Lake, and Nizina Lake.  Other destinations - closer to McCarthy or even further afield on the Wrangell Plateau - are available at different costs.

Start your day at 9 am with an exciting Packrafting adventure. Choose from a range of options, including scenic floats, skill-building courses, and backcountry expeditions.

Packraft Day Trips:
*Please note that these packraft day trips may include terrain challenges such as unstable and rocky hiking surfaces to the lake. Travelers need to actively paddle their own packraft with a kayak paddle. Cold, glacial-fed water. Please talk to your Trip Planner about the most suitable options for you. 

Glacier Lake Packraft (5 - 6 hours)
Difficulty: Moderate
Experience a half-day adventure on the stunning Kennicott Glacier Lake, paddling your inflatable boat through pristine waters surrounded by icebergs and the glacier’s edge. Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views as you explore a remote landscape that's otherwise inaccessible. The ultralight packrafts offer a perfect blend of excitement and relaxation

Hike and Packraft (7 - 8 hours)
Difficulty: Moderate
Experience a full day of hiking and packrafting through forests, ridges, and along the glacier to Upper Kennicott Lake, where the glacier meets the water. Access this unique area by packraft and paddle through glacial canals and ice formations. Learn basic paddling skills and enjoy stunning views of this remote, otherwise inaccessible landscape.

Nizina Lake Fly-in Packraft trip (6 - 8 hours)
Difficulty: You can choose your preferred level of difficulty.
Fly over rugged cliffs to a remote iceberg-filled lake in the Wrangells. Paddle among icebergs, hike scenic lakeside trails, and return by bush plane, combining adventure and stunning wilderness views.
*Note: Nizina Lake Fly-in is available for an additional cost.

Depart today for your next destination or return to Anchorage. Departure time will vary depending on your outbound travel method. Please discuss with your Trip Planner the best options for your departure or consider extending your stay to explore more of the region with options like additional camping or a rafting adventure.