McCarthy & Kennicott Area

Tours, Day Trips and Excursions

Ice Climbing

Flight Seeing

Located in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, McCarthy and Kennicott have a colorful past. The cities began around 1900 when copper ore was discovered in the area. With the creation of the Kennecott Mines Company six years later, the town quickly grew to over 500 people. A hospital, store, grade school, dental office, dairy, and recreation hall were built.

The nearby town of McCarthy was also growing at the same time. With a population of nearly 800, the town offered restaurants, pool halls, hotels, saloons, two newspapers, a dress shop, a photography shop, garage and auto repair shop, shoe shop, and hardware store.

With the closure of the Kennecott Copper Corporation in 1938, train service ceased and most residents left. Today, McCarthy and much of Kennicott are privately owned, with about 50 year-round residents. The area offers hiking, rafting and historic tours of the abandoned mine buildings.

Prices listed include all taxes and fees.

ROOT GLACIER HIKE Tour 430

Half Day Hike $65 per person

Full Day Hike $100 per person

In Kennicott, you will be fitted for crampons and then begin your hike on an old wagon road. Along the way, stops will be made to discuss glaciology and geology and view Mt. Blackburn. At the glacier, you will strap on the crampons and, with simple instruction, begin walking on the glacier. Numerous glacial streams cut deep ravines in the ice, forming shimmering blue pools and waterfalls. After the half day hikers have departed back to Kennicott, the full day hikers will continue towards Donoho Peak, Root & Kennicott Glaciers or the 7,000 foot Stairway Icefall. No experience necessary and all ages are welcome.

Duration: Half Day Hike - 4 to 6 hours. Full Day Hike - approx. 8 hours.

Departure Time: 9am. Daily Departures: May 21 - September 12, 2010.

ICE CLIMBING Tour 431

$125 per person

Enjoy a relaxing introduction to ice climbing on one of the alpine glaciers surrounding Kennicott! After being fitted for your gear, you will hike the old wagon road to the glacier. At the glacier's edge, you will learn how to walk in crampons and then hike to a series of ice cliffs. At the cliff, you will gear up and the experienced guides will teach you several ice climbing techniques. You will spend the day practicing your skills and have the chance to climb several cliffs, staying within your comfort zone. No experience necessary; suitable for ages 7 and up.

Duration: approx. 8 hours.

Departure Time: 9am. Daily Departures: May 21 - September 11, 2010.

GLACIER ADVENTURE FLIGHT SEEING

Tour 432 with Mill Tour: $ per person

Tour 433 with Glacier Hike: $ per person

Note: This tour departs from Chitina!

From Chitina, depart on a 30 minute bush plane sight seeing tour to McCarthy. Upon arrival in McCarthy, you will transfer to a van which will take you to Kennicott. In Kennicott, you will either depart on a 5 hour glacier hike or a 2 hour tour of the Mill Buildings. Following the tour, return to Kennicott by van and board the plane back to McCarthy.

Mill Tour: Step back in time on a historic tour inside the 14 story Mill Building of the Kennecott Copper Corporation. See what is was like to live and work in this remote wilderness at the turn of the 20th Century. Listen as your guide recounts tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen and tragic endings.

Glacier Hike: After being fitted for crampons, begin your hike to the glacier via an old wagon road. Several stops will be made along the way to discuss glaciology and geology and enjoy the views. At the glacier, you will strap on the crampons and, with simple instruction, begin walking on the glacier. A sack lunch is included with the hike.

Duration: approx. 8 hours.

Departure Time: 9:05am. Daily Departures: May 15 - September 15, 2009.