Hiking on Root Glacier After descending from the woods, you’ll meet with the Root Glacier. then wind its way through the lateral moraines of the Kennicott and Root Glaciers. Eventually, the trail will spur toward the mines above the mill. In this trip of a lifetime, we will get stunning views of the 7,000-foot Stairway Icefall and 16,394-foot Mt. Look out for wildlife as you walk through the forest. Root Glacier Trail. Every year, the trail changes a bit based on the movement of Root Glacier. That’s why the Root Glacier Trail is one of my favorites in the national park system. Beyond the Glacier Just beyond Root Glacier is a 7,000-foot vertical wall of ice, called the Stairway Icefall. Plus, gain unrestricted access to our resource library full of hundreds of national park checklists. 9. Regal. (The right hand trail, leads to Jumbo and Bonanza Mines.) Depending on recent rainfall or spring melt, you may need to, cross this stream and your feet may get wet. Hazards: The Root Glacier can be very slippery and dangerous. Therefore, some of the information below may have changed. Approximately 1.5 miles after leaving Kennecott , the trail reaches the Root Glacier access trail. Blackburn To keep in accordance with recent Alaska State mandates, we are requiring advanced reservations for … Root Glacier is fed from the Stairway Icefall – the second-tallest icefall in the world! We’d highly suggest it. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, 8/12/13 95 views, 09 Alaska Bound: A Mind-Blowing Glacier Hike in McCarthy, St. Elias Alpine Guides - Root Glacier Hiking, Kennicott - Alaska, USA, Your email address will not be published. Parking: You cannot drive into Kennecott or nearby McCarthy unless you’re a resident. Blackburn, camp at the base of Nizina Glacier, and paddle across Nizina Glacier Lake. The. If you continue along the trail for two more miles, you will see the Erie Mine bunkhouse high above the hillside to the right and the Stairway Icefall is further up the valley. In May and June, brilliant blue lupine bloom alongside the path. This post was updated on March 29, 2020. This page may contain affiliate links. The Expert Travel Guide: Jewel Cave National Monument, National Parks by State Checklist: A Complete List of All 400+. The views of the Kennicott Glacier, Chitina River Valley and the Wrangell and Chugach Mountains are awe-inspiring. But if you can secure the proper footwear and make the long trek to Kennecott, it is so worth it. One day, I hope to see them all. We hike 2 miles on a maintained trail before getting onto the glacier and exploring this massive river of ice. Without crampons, it would’ve been extremely treacherous. At 1 mile and 3,033 feet, the trail forks; stay right for the Bonanza ruins. twitteremailprint. Please note that this trail does NOT take you to the Erie Mine. For those who prefer water in its liquid form, rafting down a glacial river is the trip for you. The route includes some challenging work on the moraine of the Root. On a clear day, the views are hard to beat. You also could hike across the width of the glacier to see Donoho Falls, and the monstrous cave it creates as it tunnels its way under the Root Glacier. Root Glacier is great for further adventures if you’re up for the challenge. On a clear day, you’ll get amazing views of Donoho Peak, the triangular-shaped mountain between the Kennecott and Root Glaciers, as well as the Stairway Icefall cascading down to Root Glacier. Bring your landscape photography gear and shoot everything from the grandest of landscapes with nearby Mt. Breathtaking views of the 7,000ft high Stairway Icefall and 16,394ft Mt. You’ll need to park before the footbridge, then walk across the bridge. It is situated with Mount Blackburn framed in the background on a clear day, and the tour was just gorgeous. This well-trafficked path runs along Root Glacier’s lateral moraine with views of both Kennecott Glacier and Root Glacier’s medial moraines creating a natural palette of red and brown earth covering of icy pyramids below. The world of moulons, pressure ridges, blue water pools, and mysterious ice formations with backdrops of the Stairway Icefall & Donoho peak make for awesome yoga photos! Towards the end of this trail, the Erie Mine Bunkhouse building will be visible high above, on the hillside, to the right of the trail. It stands at a whopping 13.2-million acres, and like its Alaskan counterparts, most of that is rugged wilderness. Alaska Glacier Kennecott McCarthy Root Glacier Wrangell St. Elias Buy At the end of the four-mile trail, there is a great view of the Stairway Icefall, which is reportedly the second highest icefall in the world, with a relief of just over 7000 feet. Download Free Checklists and Itineraries! On long summer days, we have time to enjoy the quiet of the early evening as we descend the steep, and sometimes slippery gullies back to the trail. The Stairway Icefall is the highlight of this trip. The other couple on our tour told us about their previous day’s rafting tour, and that sounded amazing too. For those looking for a cold challenge, get your crampons on and prepare to hike a glacier. However, you should be prepared to encounter all types of wildlife on the trail, including bears. Trekking on the glacier requires crampons and puts climbers in danger of icefall and crevasses. Reminds me of riding in Glamis . That being said, you’ll eventually come across a few creek crossings. There are strategically placed rocks and wooden planks to guide you across. After descending from the woods, you’ll meet with the Root Glacier. About a half-mile beyond the visitor center, the road will split. Root Glacier Trail: The Stunning Hike in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. You can also pass the glacier turn-off trail and continue hiking all the way "around the bend" of the Root Glacier to get an up-close look at the Stairway Icefall that spills 6,000 feet off Mt. Connect with other national park enthusiasts by joiningÂ. It’s a great way to have a base as you explore the Kennecott area. The Root Glacier trail is about 2 miles long starting in Kennecott and taking you all the way to the toe of the glacier. Please note that this trail does NOT take you to the Erie Mine. If you decide to pass on hiking Root Glacier, you can walk down the main road that turns into a four mile hike. Pingback: My Favorite Outdoor Adventures in 2019 • Riley's Roves. Regal. As you progress, you come to the Root Glacier. You can see a massive icefall in the distance as well as the towering Wrangle Mountains. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until September. Hiking on the Root Glacier is an amazing way to spend a day; exploring blue pools and sculpted ice and learning about the natural history of the area from an experienced guide. These are free and first-come, first-served. 2. Remember, attempting to walk on the glacier without crampons or spikes is dangerous. You’ll want to prepare yourself and not wear yourself out by trekking on the glacier. There aren’t many trails, but the ones that do exist are all beautiful. We took a look at the hiking options and thought that hiking on a glacier just might be delightful on a 90 degree day. Check out my blog post on what to wear in Alaska for more essential items to pack. It ends approximately 3000 feet below the mine and bunkhouse. Best of all, a certain beloved Carolina Dog really had seen the ancient Stairway Icefall that still feeds Alaska’s fabulous Root Glacier! (Primitive, campsites, along with an outhouse and food lockers, are available in this area.) The stairway icefall in Wrangell St-Elias National Park is one of the most stunning natural phenomena that one will ever encounter. We enjoy lunch on the glacier, before trekking back into Kennicott. You’ll start by walking through the forest on a dirt path. To access the glacier, turn, left at the sign and follow the trail as it winds down the moraine to the toe of the glacier. Approximately 1.5 miles after leaving Kennecott, the trail reaches the Root Glacier access trail. Near the end of the trail, the Root Glacier is below on the left, and the Stairway Icefall is further up valley. Once at the bunkhouse, we can spend time exploring the dilapidated buildings and taking in the immense views of the Stairway Icefall and wave like glacial ogives on the Root Glacier. Hey there, and welcome to The Parks Expert! Looking north toward the source of the Root Glacier, the Stairway Ice fall five miles in the distance is the second highest icefall in the world, with a relief of around 7000 feet. Please check your email for further instructions. If you see any signs of a crevasse, stay as far away as possible and change your route immediately. Root Glacier and Stairway Icefall Trail ist ein 6.5 Meilen langer, moderat besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von McCarthy, Alaska. To help personalize content, analyze traffic patterns, and provide a safer experience, we use cookies. Root Glacier and Stairway Icefall Trail is a 6.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near McCarthy, Alaska that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. Continue on around the bend of Root Glacier, and you'll come upon the Stairway Icefall, an impressive icefall that spills over 6,000 feet off of Mt. Trail to the glacier Tour groups, sculptures Hiking on the Root Glacier, Stairway Icefall in distance. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to allow us to collect information using cookies. Ice climbing and mountaineering are popular in addition to mountaineers and hikers training for future endeavors. Added to the gorgeous views that the trail offers, the prerequisite experience is minimal and amateur hikers can make the most of the trail. On this glacier hike day tour out of Kennicott-McCarthy, enjoy all the benefits of the half day hike but with additional time to explore the Root Glacier's dynamic features. This trail crosses, Amazon Creek, which is a seasonal stream. Along the way, you’ll also encounter a few campsites. Your email address will not be published. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. MapDream Trip. ice can be very slippery and dangerous. This glacier is moderate enough that you can easily hike up on it with no gear or previous experience. One of the times I hiked this trail, we encountered a flustered cow moose with her calf. Start/end: The trail begins passed the Kennecott Mine. Unfortunately, they do not contain chocolate chips and you cannot eat them. Root Glacier Trail: One of the Best Day Hikes - See 23 traveler reviews, 34 candid photos, and great deals for Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. There are more places to camp in this area. As summer matures, dwarf fireweed and wild rose splash pink and vermilion alongside the path. I’m Riley, and I think it’s safe to say that I kind of love national parks. Updates about the NPS response, including safety information, are posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. This hike straddles the edge of a glacier the entire way with spur trails to the top of the nearby peaks where old mining ruins beg to be explored. When on a glacier, you should be especially concerned about the sun. It’s imperative that you bring sunscreen or layers to cover your skin, a hat, and sunglasses. This particular adventure maps out the 4-mile round-trip hike to the toe of Root Glacier. Stay straight. You and your guide may decide to head up the glacier towards the massive 7,000 Stairway Icefall. If it’s sunny or windy, prepare accordingly with sunscreen and a windbreaker. (9-4-19, 12:48 AM) Stairway Icefall and the Root Glacier from the end of the Erie Mine trail, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska 9-3-19. Take a day to venture out on to the Root Glacier, near Kennicott, Wrangell – St. Elias National Park, and spend the day hiking and exploring this fascinating glacier. You and your guide may decide to head up … Get our latest sent right to your inbox. Download our free national parks checklists by signing up for e-mail updates. ends approximately 3000 feet below the mine and bunkhouse. The use of crampons is strongly recommended. It was! Her newest passion is sharing her love of national parks with the world by planning trips, writing about her travels, and offering advice. The trail will soon cross over Bonanza Creek and Jumbo Creek and then wind its way through the lateral moraines of the Kennicott and Root Glaciers. Tours are offered by two local companies, St. Elias Alpine Guides and Kennecott Wilderness Guides. One day, Riley hopes to visit all 422 national parks. on the hillside, to the right of the trail. This part isn’t very exciting, but Root Glacier Trail is more about the destination than the journey. Follow Root Glacier Trail to its termination at Root Glacier, then continue on past the rockslide to a camping area with a bear-proof food storage box. After “lunch with a view”, the possibilities are endless. On this glacier hike day tour out of Kennicott-McCarthy, enjoy all the benefits of the half day hike but with additional time to explore the Root Glacier ‘s dynamic features. If you decide to walk on the glacier, use extreme caution. After “lunch with a view”, the possibilities are endless. One of the crossings is at a lovely little waterfall. The Parks Expert will continue to be updated. Thanks for subscribing! The scenery through the trail effectively transitions from a lush green field extending to the horizons to the landscape blanketed by ice and frost. Though the icefall is visible all the way from McCarthy, this route gets up close and personal with this impressive glacial feature. In 2019, the last time I hiked this trail, getting to the top of the glacier involved a pretty steep climb on the ice. Like something straight out of the Wizard of Oz, the main street in Kennicott turns into a winding trail to the north and leads to the most incredible views. Trail is well maintained for most of the hike, but it does get more sketchy the further out you get. The National Park Service is modifying its operations on a park-by-park basis. approximately 2.5 more miles. My favorite is perhaps one of the less scenic, but you get to walk on a glacier at the end, and that’s pretty freaking awesome in my book. The Erie Mine Trail continues past the turn to the Root Glacier, running parallel to the glacier for. Noteworthy: Walking on glaciers is dangerous. You and your guide may decide to head up-glacier towards the mile-high Stairway Icefall, looking for moulins and blue pools. Along the way you'll get great views down onto the Root Glacier, where you can see and hear bizarre glacial features. This is clearly marked. It. Stairway Icefall/ Erie Lake Trail. Did you know that Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest in the nation? You can head toward the Stairway Icefall to explore glacial pools and a waterfall. Time: Allow 2 hours to do the trail, then add more time to spend on Root Glacier. After you take the spur trail, you’ll be out in the open for the rest of the way. Never miss a post! Links: The Stairway Icefall and Blackburn mountain frame a gorgeous panorama around Root Glacier but the glacial features steal the show. As picturesque as the Harding Icefield trail without the 3,500 foot ascent, this trail offers forest, wash plain, mountain, and of course, glacier views as you make your way to the Stairway Icefall. Root Glacier Overnight Adventure The Root Glacier hike started from Kennecott, 5 miles further on up the gravel road – perfect for our dirt road bikes! On a map it’s easy to trace your finger straight from where I started in the town of Kennicott up Root Glacier to the base of the Stairway Icefall, but in reality you have to continually navigate around ice walls, fins, and crevasses, always searching for the nearest most gradual route available. the Stairway Icefall is further up valley. The trail continues in and out of brush and along the top of the moraine, above the glacier. The glacier is also known for having few crevasses, but you should still be on the lookout for them. From here, take the shuttle, walk, or ride a bike the remaining 4.5 miles to Kennecott. On a clear day, you’ll get amazing views of Donoho Peak, the triangular-shaped mountain between the Kennecott and Root Glaciers, as well as the Stairway Icefall cascading down to Root Glacier. Near the end of the trail, the Root Glacier is below on the left, and. Riley has been visiting national parks for as long as she can remember. This trail leads to both the Erie Mine, about 5 miles from Kennicott, and Erie Lake, about 7 miles from Kennicott. This relatively moderate trail begins as a paved road winding through an old mining town. The ascent when you make your way back to Kennecott can be strenuous. Required fields are marked *, From the Kennecott Visitor Center, walk through the Kennecott Mill Town, north towards the Root, Glacier. Near the end, Erie Mine bunkhouse is visible high above on the hillside to the right of the trail, the Root Glacier is below on the left, and the Stairway Icefall is further up valley. Follow along the edge of the Root Glacier. Not a bad way to end a stroll! Explore the historic site with care—the remaining buildings and rock pillars are unstable—then climb another 100 feet for the crest’s expansive panorama of the entire valley, including the Root Glacier, Stairway Icefall, and … Continue following the Root Glacier Trail to reach the glacier. Expert Guide to Visiting Denali National Park, National Parks in Alaska: A Complete List of All 16, Expert Guide to Visiting Gates of the Arctic National Park, View all posts by Riley (The Parks Expert), My Favorite Outdoor Adventures in 2019 • Riley's Roves, Things to Do in Yosemite Valley: The Heart of Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park Itinerary: How to Spend Three Days in Olympic National Park, 15 of the Best Hikes in Acadia National Park: Exploring Mount Desert Island, 15 Best Hikes in Sequoia National Park That Will Inspire You, Nutrition: food for both meals and snacks. The main street gradually turns into the 2 mile glacier trail that was originally built in the ‘20’s as a wagon road to supply the Erie Mine, six miles up the Root Glacier. Thankfully, she was pretty scared of us. Potential Hazards: Avoid walking along the edge of Root Glacier as rotting ice and … Before visiting, please check with individual parks regarding changes to park operations. From here, descend over the top of the moraine, … Check the official websites for each park you plan to visit for the most up to date information regarding the pandemic. I would not advise doing so without proper gear, such as spikes or crampons. 2 reviews of Root Glacier Trail "This hike is the reason you come to McCarthy, in my opinion. From the edge of the glacier you and your guide hike out onto the Root Glacier enjoying fabulous views of 6,696’ Donoho Peak, the impressive mile-high Stairway Icefall, and if you’ve got sharp eyes, the historic Erie Mine Bunkhouse. The trail will soon cross over Bonanza Creek and Jumbo Creek and. Blue waterfalls carve sidewinding rivers that glisten a royal blue.