WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS: For extreme remoteness, history and scenery.
To fully appreciate the sheer vastness of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, consider these two facts:
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1). The park is the size of Maryland and Vermont combined.
2). If every visitor who comes here each year -- about 60,000 -- showed up at the same time, each would still have 220 acres apiece.
In short, this is extreme wilderness. Located just off the Richardson Highway on the way to Valdez, the 13.2-million acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park boasts the nation's second-tallest mountain, 18,008-foot Mount St. Elias; four mountain ranges, the Alaska, Chugach, Wrangell and St. Elias; and eight other of the U.S.'s 16 tallest mountains.
The park has the largest concentration of glaciers in North America -- a full 25 percent of the park is covered in ice -- and one of the most famed rivers in Alaska, the salmon-rich Copper River.
"(The park's) 13.2 million acres, nearly 10 of which are wilderness, does leave one both overwhelmed and inspired," said Wrangell-St. Elias Park superintendent Rick Obernesser. "The vastness of scale alone at Wrangell is difficult to comprehend."
The main access to the park is the 59-mile McCarthy or 42-mile Nabesna roads. Both are gravel, so travel is slow and bumpy, but unbelievably scenic.
Air taxis also can take visitors farther into the park, offering a glimpse of true wilderness.
A highlight for visitors is the abandoned Kennecott Copper Corp.'s mine, which is now maintained by the Park Service in the tiny outpost of Kennecott. Rustic lodging is available in Kennecott or in the nearby town of McCarthy.
"We hope visitors see and feel this vastness as well as the dynamic geologic processes under way shaping the park," Obernesser said, "not to mention wildlife populations, biodiversity and the many unique stories connecting people to the park."
ATTRACTIONS
Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center
The recently constructed visitor center features exhibits, a film on the park, a ranger program and a nature trail with views into the park. The center also has an extensive bookstore operated by the Alaska Geographic Association.
WHERE: Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway, Copper Center
WHEN: open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day to Sept. 25 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as staffing permits in the winter
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-822-7250
WEB: www.nps.gov/wrst
Kennecott Visitor Center
The center, operated by the National Park Service, offers information on the natural history and geology of the area, as well as the history of the Kennecott Mine Corp., which has been renovated and is now a National Historic Landmark.
WHERE: at the end of the McCarthy Road, park and take the Park Service shuttle to Kennecott, in the middle of the renovated Kennecott Mine Corp.
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily Memorial Day to Labor Day; closed in the winter
COST: Free
PHONE: 907-822-7476
WEB: www.nps.gov/wrst
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
The lodge, a replica of the historic buildings that comprised Kennecott Mining Corp., sits in the middle of the town and overlooks the Kennicott Glacier. Enjoy hiking, biking, rafting, flightseeing and more from this remote location.
WHERE: Park vehicles at the end of the McCarthy Road by the Kennicott River. A private shuttle picks up guests across the Kennicott River footbridge
WHEN: daily May 25 to Sept. 8; closed in the winter
COST: $175 to $325 per night, double occupancy; online specials available
PHONE: 907-258-2350, 800-582-5128
WEB: www.kennicottlodge.com
