6 Best Hikes in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve Overview

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve lies in the southeastern corner of Alaska, east of Anchorage. The park and preserve form the largest area managed by the National Park System in the United States at over 13 million acres. The park is home to 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the US and more than 60% of glacial ice in Alaska. Most visitors arrive at the park between May and September as the winters can be long and harsh. Considering the size, there are very few maintained trails in the park but the 6 best hikes in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve are listed below. Air taxis, float trips, and fishing are other great ways of experiencing the park.

StateAlaska
Nearest Metro AreaAnchorage, AK
Area Size13,175,799 acres
EstablishedDecember 2, 1980
Hiking Trails48 miles

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Trailhead Traveler’s Recommended Best Hikes in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Root Glacier Trail
Stairway Ice Fall and Root Glacier Panorama
Stairway Ice Fall and Root Glacier Panorama, Photo by National Park Service, Alaska Region

Leading the best hikes in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is Root Glacier Trail. The route to Root Glacier crosses over Bonanza Creek and Jumbo Creek, then winds over the glacier’s lateral moraines. When you arrive at Root Glacier you can use crampons to carefully walk on the glacier. The area is gorgeous and this is probably the most popular of all the hikes in Wrangell – St. Elias. The trailhead can be found at Kennecott Mill Town.

  • 4.4 miles out and back
  • 500′ elevation gain
  • Easy
Caribou Creek Trail
Wrangell Mts Nabesna Road Panorama
Wrangell Mts Nabesna Road Panorama, Photo by Tom VandenBerg

Heading northeast towards the hills, the trail goes through the valley bottom with great views. Continuing through the forest, hikers will cross Caribou Creek for the first time at about 2 miles. After crossing the creek a few more times you will reach Caribou Creek Cabin. Reservations here are required. The cabin is nestled between ridges and has breathtaking views of the valley south towards Mount Sanford, Mount Wrangell, and the Tanada peaks. The trailhead is at mile 19.5 on the north side of Nabesna Road.

  • 6.4 miles out and back
  • 800′ elevation gain
  • Moderate
Skookum Volcano Trail
P1080669
Skookum Volcano, Photo by Ben Townsend

Short but steep trail to a high pass with outstanding views of the surrounding area. The trail is rocky with several creek crossings so come well prepared. A multi-day backpacking route can be taken all the way to Rambler Mine. The trailhead is located on Nabesna Road at mile 36.8.

  • 5.0 miles out and back
  • 2800′ elevation gain
  • Strenuous
Bonanza Mine Trail
Kennecott Mill Town & Bonanza Ridge
Kennecott Mill Town & Bonanza Ridge, Photo by Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Tough day hike that will take about 6 hours to climb switchbacks up to Bonanza Mine. Above the tree-line the views really open up. The structures at the mine have long been abandoned so the park advises extreme caution. The trailhead can be located at Kennecott Mill Town.

  • 9.0 miles out and back
  • 3000′ elevation gain
  • Strenuous
Rambler Mine Trail
Nabesna Road - Wrangell-St. Elias
Nabesna Road – Wrangell-St. Elias, Photo by National Park Service, Alaska Region

Sitting high on White Mountain, Rambler Mine once extracted gold in the early 1940s. This trail ascends through a spruce and alder forest to the mine. An unmaintained route continues further on for the bold! The trailhead can be found at a parking area past private property at the end of Nabesna Road, mile 42.

  • 1.5 miles out and back
  • 400′ elevation gain
  • Moderate
Liberty Falls Trail
Liberty Falls, near Chitina, Alaska
Liberty Falls, near Chitina, Alaska, Photo by Frank Kovalchek

6th on the list of best hikes in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is Liberty Falls Trail. Fairly steep trail through a spruce forest to a rocky ridge with spectacular views of mountains and the Copper River. Once you get to the lake overlook there are views of the Wrangell and Chugach Mountain Ranges. The trailhead is located at mile 23.3 on Edgerton Highway, east of Kenny Lake.

  • 2.3 miles out and back
  • 500′ elevation gain
  • Moderate

Featured Image: The Hubbard Glacier. Alaska., Photo by Bernard Spragg. NZ

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