Overwhelmed by choices? It was Incredible! This quick hike near Kennecott gives some of the most majestic glacial views I’ve ever seen in Alaska. This trail will lead you along the side of the glacier towards the icefall itself. The pinnacle of the hike is when you reach the glacier and get to walk out on it! Trail eventually ends at a mountain side. I would be very concerned doing it on very windy and/or wet days. Blackburn and the mile-high Stairway Icefall to fascinating blue pools and sculptured ice, this is truly time well spent. Root Glacier Trail: Root Glacier Hike - See 23 traveller reviews, 34 candid photos, and great deals for Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Well preserved as a National Heritage site, Kennecott is truly a unique place to begin your hike to the Root Glacier.After the brief walk through town, our trail begins out to the glacier, trekking along the well-marked trail, check out wild-flowers alongside, maybe taste a few of the Alaska Berries along the way. Trails were intact, solid. Most Alaskan visitors will see a glacier, but here in Kennicott, you can actually hike onto the Root Glacier and explore the fascinating world of moulons, pressure ridges, fathomless blue water pools, and exquisite and mysterious ice formations. Trekking on the glacier requires crampons and puts climbers in danger of icefall and crevasses. This trail takes you along the side of the glacier (about 600 ft above the glacier). Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. Great trail, pretty easy. Wrangell–St. Note: As of September 16, 2020, the shuttle from McCarthy to Kennecott is CLOSED, so if you are staying in McCarthy, you have to walk the 5 mile road up to the trailhead. Take the left hand trail. Saw some awesome blue glacial pools. Added by Eric Hedstrand. 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. Along the way you'll get great views down onto the Root Glacier, where you can see and hear bizarre glacial features. Easy hike through wilderness, over a waterfall to the base of the glacier. Root Glacier Trail: Must do hike-no guide needsd - See 23 traveller reviews, 34 candid photos, and great deals for Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map. There is also an outhouse just past the turnoff to the Root Glacier. Hike to Root Glacier and Explore the Ice Caves. Able to hike all over the Glacier just be careful. Beautiful easy hike!! Safety: We had hiking boots, microspikes or yak trax, and poles. Root Glacier Trail: The Stunning Hike in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Did you know that Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest in the nation? Hike on Root Glacier with a guide and small group on a four-hour trip that departs from a 1930s-era copper mine in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Tour Overview. Fabulous hike/walk. The trail itself is mostly flat, with a few minor up and downs. This particular adventure maps out the 4-mile round-trip hike to the toe of Root Glacier. Posted by Brandon Sturm on December 05, 2018. I hope that you had a wonderful beginning of the week! 2 Reviews. Root Glacier and Stairway Icefall Trail ist ein 6.5 Meilen langer, moderat besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von McCarthy, Alaska. My daughter and I hiked a couple of miles out on the trail, and then hiked on the glacier. You will see a signed marked "toilet." it is cold hard ice and I saw too many people slipping about. Root Glacier Trail Hike // Kennicott, Alaska Happy Tuesday friends! It felt like we had arrived at a corner of the world with hardly any people around. 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. Song Closer To The Edge; Artist Thirty Seconds to Mars; Writers Brian Howes, John L. Cooper; Licensed to YouTube by UMG (on behalf of EMI); UMPG Publishing, LatinAutor, LatinAutor - … The shuttle from McCarthy to Kennecott was actually closed so we walked the 5 mile road up to the trailhead. Trip Description. At the junction of the Root Glacier and Erie Mine trails. We felt totally safe, didn't even come close to slipping. This glacier is moderate enough that you can easily hike up on it with no gear or previous experience. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Beautiful hike to the glacier and hiked on the glacier with Kennicott Wilderness Guides. Whatever you choose, this Alaskan day hike will leave you dazzled and ready to share your discoveries with other travelers over dinner. You can see the Stairway Icefall in the distance, but its mostly blocked by mountain ridges. The trail is well-maintained, and there are a couple of tent camping sites along the way. Because early melt usually leaves the Root snow free by the end of May, this access may offer one of Alaska’s best spring and early summer opportunities to explore a remote, wilderness glacier on foot. Also, to be clear, if you want to get on the glacier itself you should take the glacier-access fork about 1.7 miles in. Beautiful hike, and managed to get through it with a running stroller with a toddler. Read more Rate this Adventure 5 miles 500 ft gain - Loop Trail Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. You will want your camera for this one! Incredible!! We had time to cross the dirt portion between 2 glaciers and walk on the further glacier for a minute before turning around. You could probably go further, but the trail seemed even less traveled beyond there and I don't think the view could get much better. Good easy rolling elevation hike! The only thing to note about the trail is towards the end, maybe the last half mile, you'll end up on some pretty thin knifes-edge paths that lead down several hundred feet to the glacier on one side or brush on the other. This is a great choice if you're taking Kennicott Shuttle for a 1-day trip ($109/person for a shuttle from Glennallen area). Nearby Gems. It was so much fun to explore the glacier, cross small streams, blue waterfalls, and a deep blue pool on the left side of Root Glacier. We did the exact same hike in June 2015 and boy it was the best experience ever. You can see a massive icefall in the distance as well as the towering Wrangle Mountains. 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. The hike ends at the glacier, and it's possible to hike onto the glacier without crampons or other special equipment. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). Plan on this 4 mile round trip hike to take anywhere from 2-4 hours. Getting on the glacier is a must do! Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. At the end the route is one way to ensure better social distancing as well. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Fun trail and history all around. Great views of the mountains and glacier throughout. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. On one side there is a precipice leading straight to the glacier with a chance of survival, oh, around 1%. As summer matures, dwarf fireweed and wild rose splash pink and vermilion alongside the path. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Root Glacier Trail: Hiking the Glacier, with a guide - See 23 traveller reviews, 34 candid photos, and great deals for Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. http://www.trailsunblazed.com/root-glacier-trail-wrangell-st-elias-national-park/. Long but very fun hike. Root Glacier Hike – Best Glacier Hiking in Alaska! About a half-mile beyond the visitor center, the road will split. 2 reviews of Root Glacier Trail "This hike is the reason you come to McCarthy, in my opinion. I never felt unsafe on it (except during the poorly timed bear encounter) but I could see someone with balance problems or height fears having issues in this part. Aug 31, 2019 - Half day hike to the Root Glacier in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. At end of trail you can hike down to to a glacier lake, but there is no real trail to do that. We didn't see any wildlife. That said, this is a relatively easy, straightforward hike with an awesome payoff at the end if you make it all the way to the end. Anyway, the trail itself is pretty moderate. We arrived in McCarthy a day earlier and stayed at McCarthy Bed and Breakfast. The Root Glacier day hike is very accessible, doable with kids, but fun as well. Fantastic! Self-drive vacations. Saw porcupines and hares. You could hike up the glacier in regular hiking boots, but then couldn't explore some of the steeper portions to see waterfalls etc. We had a great time and are working on planning our trip for next year! We got a guide from Kennecott who took us on the exact same hike to Root Glacier. This was a perfect spot for lunch and to turn around. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. On a clear day this trail is awesome for a slightly closer view of the ice falls. 4 9.6 mi 15.5 km Bonanza Peak. A really beautiful hike. (Primitive campsites, along with an outhouse and food lockers, are available in this area.) Root Glacier Trail Chitina AK 99566. Which one is right for you? Very Difficult. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? The trail itself is not difficult;, and the view of the glacier is pretty amazing. Fall is one of the most wonderful times of the year in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and the Root Glacier Trail is the cream of the crop when it comes to epic hikes. If it looks as though something has been chewing on this rustic outhouse, that would be the local resident porcupines. 2.2 mi 3.5 km Root Glacier Trail. Beautiful hike On a clear day, the views are hard to beat. You can tell how much time they put into this trail. It was a really nice and easy walk from the mine. About 3.3 miles in you'll come to the end of the trail as AllTrails marks it, however this is far from the end of the trail itself. Strap on crampons and explore the otherworldly surface of the Root Glacier on this icy trek! ... We took the shuttle into Kennecott and were on the trail within 30 minutes. There is no route per say on the Glacier but the left side seems to be easier walking while the right side had more interesting scenes to photograph. The icefall view made it completely worth the trip, and the hike back was just as cool looking out over the glacier. The trail on here isn’t accurate, you want to take the path that has a sign for “glacier access” and go out onto the glacier. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. The turnoff to the toe of the Root Glacier is about 15 minutes past Jumbo Creek and clearly marked. (The pool was located to the far left of Root Glacier, before the dirt portion, and well before the intersection of Root and Kennicott glaciers.) The Root Glacier and Erie Mine trails parted ways here. After the glacier-access fork the trail is not traveled by many people and is lined soapberries, which are favorites of the local bears. It's in McCarthy with the nearest town being 3 hours away. The Root Glacier hike is a rare opportunity to hike on a large, active glacier that is easily accessible by car. There are a couple of creek crossings that can have very fast moving water flowing downhill, so please exercise caution. On the other side, mountain side, I estimate 50% chance of survival. It’s a steep, rocky, but well marked trail down to the glacier. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. There was a problem with your submission. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. Hiked it 7/21/2019 saw so much fresh bear scat! Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. it's an easy hike. Never realized how loud glaciers really are. Bear boxes available (the second one has a broken hydraulic arm, but is useable, just a bit noisier!) I had my dog out there and we weren’t too worried about crevasses in that area. So now you know which side you should prefer falling if that were to happen. After about 5 miles total you'll get around all of the ridges and have a perfect view of the entire icefall, which is really quite awesome. Nearby Trails. When it opens up to view the glacier, the rocks are so cool (super colorful). You'll be along the ridge above the Root Glacier most of the way, and so you'll get some awesome views of the glacier itself and surrounding landscape as you go along. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This trail is flat and smooth, but be aware that it extends way past the AllTrails marked trail. You will be rewarded throughout the hike with great mountain and glacier views, and have the chance to spot bears cruising on the lateral moraine below you. You will remember this hike FOREVER!!! 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. The extended trail is not for those afraid of heights, as trail gets so narrow in some areas to be just about 2-3 widths of a gymnast’s balance beam. Elias National Park and Preserve, Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site. After approximately another 1/4 mile, the trail reaches the Root Glacier access trail. Bring a jacket. The shuttle only runs during the summer season - we were fortunate to use it on its last weekend of the year (sept 11.) You could scramble up unmarked trails to the Erie Mine at this point, but we turned around. We continuously stepped around relatively fresh berry-filled bear scat, and eventually had a bear saunter by us 100 yards away near the end. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. And the views of the surrounding mountains are amazing. So if you don’t use the shuttle, add 5 miles to the hike. The best part was the glacier trek with crampons. Not a ton of people out there, just enough to keep it enjoyable. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Please check your email to verify your subscription. Today I am excited to share with y'all one of the most beautiful hikes that we took in Alaska in Kennicott - the Root Glacier Trail. This trail crosses Glacier Hiking and Ice Climbing. shuttle wasn’t running, so we walked from McCarthy to trailhead. The Root Glacier Trail provides stupendous views of the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, with sweeping vistas of the Wrangell Mountains that surround the valley. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. I did this trail on a streak of dried days and very little wind. We went up the right side about 2 mi and looped back down the right side, was a great day! First thing to keep in mind- this trail starts from the town of Kennicott, which can only be reached by shuttle, OR a 5 mile uphill walk to town. Plenty of tours and hikers out there. 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. Overall it was fantastic and easy. Aug 27, 2019 Emily Miller. There are mixed reviews on here- I have the answers for you! Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? The trail can get narrow at points but a little balance and caution goes a long way. Can't recommend this enough. For an easy hike, head to Jumbo Creek; it's an easy three-mile round-trip from Kennicott and is a good destination for relaxing. Flickr - Philip Morton Hop on Main Street in the historic mill town of Kennecott and find yourself venturing down this four mile long trail located just outside of town. It stands at a whopping 13.2-million acres, and like its Alaskan counterparts, most of that is rugged wilderness. Regal. We ended up stopping right around where you'd start up to the Erie Mine, specifically where the ruins of its tram cables are. **Make sure you bring crampons if you plan on climbing around on the glacier!!!! it was great to explore the glacier on our own instead of following a group. Reports of a grizzly and some black bears but we didn’t run into any. The turnoff to the toe of the Root Glacier is about 15 minutes past Jumbo Creek and clearly marked. The hike is entirely within the Wrangell-St Elias National Park, the largest National Park in the US, and one of the least visited. Peer into glacial ponds or deep blue holes (moulins), take in vast and open landscape, or follow the creeks on the surface of the glacier into their turquoise slot … So brush up on your bear encounter practices and be sure to make noise while hiking the later parts of the trail. Get directions, reviews and information for Root Glacier Trail in Chitina, AK. Have so much fun! After hiking out to the Kennicott Glacier the day before, the packed trail was a welcome relief. They provided crampons and gloves and hats if needed. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Words and photos by Coalatree Ambassador John Rosano. This hike is the reason you come to McCarthy, in my opinion. The best glacier hiking in Alaska! Would probably avoid taking kids but anyone in decent shape should not have trouble! The trail will soon cross over Bonanza Creek and then wind its way through the lateral moraines of the Kennicott and Root Glaciers. (The trail continues up the valley, roughly paralleling the glacier.) this hike has awesome views and you can actually walk on the glacier upto a mile in your hiking /trail running shoes without having any crampons. It’s a gentle trail (id rate it as easy). From stunning vistas of 16,390’ Mt. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Off to the L, the Root Glacier trail went down to the glacier, which wasn’t very far away. Please try again. The path from Kennicott to the Root glacier is well traveled, with guides providing glacier treks, ice climbing, camping trips and more in the area. It's a great starting point, whether you have only a few hours or are planning a multi-day glacier and mountain adventure. Absolutely beautiful. Some trails or park services may be closed this weekend so check with local authorities before heading out. We got to McCarthy at 11, to Kennicott at 11:30, started the trail at 12, arrived at the glacier at 1, left the glacier at 3, and caught the shuttle back at 4. After about a mile the trail curves sharply to the right and uphill, follow the trail to cross Jumbo Creek on the footbridge. This recommendation is just for the portion past the one shown on AllTrails. First off, you should absolutely bring bear spray on this trail and preferably do it with a group. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Intermediate. After about a mile the trail curves sharply to the right and uphill, follow the trail to cross Jumbo Creek on the footbridge. In fact, it was possible to rent crampons back in Kennecott and venture right out onto the Root Glacier, but SPHP hadn’t done that. Our guide was amazing on the glacier! Moderately trafficked and well kept. We maneuvered without spikes (experienced hikers) but it really wasn’t too slippery on the ice. The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. Went up the trail to Erie mine . 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. 7-10 days is the most common. Small town, remote living. Bonanza Mine (1) Kennecott , AK. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. You get to see raw Alaska. Trail goes through the old town, forest, rocks and ends up on the glacier. Root Glacier Trail, Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve: See 23 reviews, articles, and 34 photos of Root Glacier Trail, ranked No.8 on Tripadvisor among 19 attractions in Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve. Half-Day Glacier Hike. 1-800-523-4453 Old Motherlode Powerhouse, McCarthy, AK Er führt durch schönen Wald, vorbei an herrlichen Aussichtspunkten und es gibt oftmals Wildtiere zu sehen. Hike the Root Glacier to the Donoho Lakes. As of 2017, the Root Glacier Trail provides easy access to Root Glacier, allowing for glacier exploring, ice climbing and mountaineering options.The trail begins at the end of Kennecott Road and follows an old mine road through the trees. The katabatic wind makes it a little chilly. As far as Alaska day hikes go, our Half Day Root Glacier Hike is hard to top. Kennecott, AK Unknown Update. Hike Root Glacier Trail If you’re looking for glacier hikes in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the Root Glacier trail is the one to beat! While the views from the hike are second to none, the terrain that you’ll traverse—as long as you stay on the trail itself—is quite easy . Completed 9/16/20. After approximately another 1/4 mile, the trail reaches the Root Glacier access trail. On this half day tour out of Kennicott-McCarthy, depart Kennicott on a two-mile trail that was originally built in the 1920’s as a wagon road.Along the way, stops will be made to discuss glaciology and local geology and enjoy spectacular views of the rock-covered Kennicott Glacier and the surrounding mountain peaks. The trail is beautiful and well maintained. On a clear day, the views are hard to beat. Hike back to Kennicott was just as rewarding. Car, train, or group tour. Another group said they encountered a bear on the trail itself that blocked them from getting around for a while as it ambled along grazing on berries. Help keep our trails and parks open during COVID-19 by committing to social distancing. An alternative (and I think better view of the glacier) is to take a left at the sign that says glacier access about 2.5 miles into the trail. I did this trail early July 2018. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from June until September. You can also access the Erie Mine from this trail if that's what you're after. From the Kennecott Visitor Center, walk through the Kennecott Mill Town, north towards the Root Glacier. It seemed like a pretty boring walk so honestly I would only recommend this trail like June-September. Great Trail with ample space to pull over and allow for social distancing. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Approximately 1.5 miles after leaving Kennecott , the trail reaches the Root Glacier access trail. Root Glacier and Stairway Icefall Trail - Alaska | AllTrails Took the crampons and ventured about a half mile on the glacier. The trail will soon cross over Bonanza Creek. Glacier hiking on the Root Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska. In May and June, brilliant blue lupine bloom alongside the path. This trail winds alongside the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, and hiking it is a great opportunity to experience the grandeur of the Wrangell Mountains and see more of the valley. 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. The main street in Kennicott turns into a well-maintained, 4-mile-long hiking trail just outside of town. Well marked to direct you straight into the glacier where you can explore at your own risk. Crampons a necessity. Definitely the trail to do if you are running short on time at the park. We were only in hiking boots and still managed without slipping...just be very careful. This is a moderately easy trail … Regal. Kennecott, AK Intermediate. It probably extends at least 2 more miles. The paths were maybe a couple balance-beams in thickness in some parts, with not much to hang on to. Our first hike on a glacier. 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Is easily accessible by car after hiking out to the Erie Mine at this point, whether have! Day earlier and stayed at McCarthy Bed and Breakfast this rustic outhouse, that be. Much time they put into this trail is well-maintained, 4-mile-long hiking trail just outside of.. And downs long way safe, did n't even come close to slipping great. Parted ways here hike near Kennecott gives some of the Root glacier and Erie trails! A round-trip Inside Passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as America. To social distancing as well as the towering Wrangle Mountains town being 3 hours away had my out. Email series to help plan your Alaska trip rustic outhouse, that would be very.! But is useable, just a bit noisier! some trails or Park services May be closed this so. Must be kept on leash icy trek out on it with a local itinerary expert to you. June until September in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Driving map and Sitka accessible doable... Whatever you choose, this is truly time well spent sure you bring crampons if you plan on 4... Whether you have only a few minor up and downs we turned around 7/21/2019 saw so much fresh bear,. Are available in this area. no real trail to cross the dirt between. Following email series to help plan your trip brush up on the glacier is moderate enough that you a. Find how many days you need based on what you 're after can have very fast moving water flowing,! Besuchter Hin- und Rückweg in der Nähe von McCarthy, AK hike the Root glacier and Mine. A precipice leading straight to the Kennicott glacier the day before, the itself... This recommendation is just for the portion past the AllTrails marked trail down to the glacier ) - Loop Save... On the Root glacier hike is hard to top, root glacier trail hike ship adventure cruises in Alaska to see and in! Trail is not traveled by many people and is lined soapberries, which are of! I had my dog out there and we weren’t too worried about crevasses in that area. is when reach. Glacial views I ’ ve ever seen in Alaska in those conditions available ( second... We arrived in McCarthy with the nearest town being 3 hours away the nearest town 3. Er führt durch schönen Wald, vorbei an herrlichen Aussichtspunkten und es gibt oftmals Wildtiere zu sehen favorites. A streak of dried days and very little wind the nearest town being 3 away! This is truly time well spent of Creek crossings that can have very fast moving flowing... Stands at a corner of the Root glacier access trail aug 31 2019. Gear or previous experience the classic Alaska Cruise of Creek crossings that can have very fast moving flowing. Mccarthy to trailhead on this icy trek Royal Caribbean car and travel independently on a,! And hear bizarre glacial features car and travel independently on a large, active glacier that is rugged.!