Glennallen
|
Distance Between Glennallen and :
Fairbanks = 249 mi / 401 km
Valdez
= 115 mi / 185 km
Chitina
= 65 mi / 104 km
McCarthy-Kennicott = 125 mi / 201 km
Population
= 488
Elevation
=1,460 feet / 445 meters
Glennallen was named for two people, both early explorers of the Copper River region: Capt. Edwin Glenn and Lt. Henry Allen.
Glennallen is the gateway for entering the immense
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Though it is a small community, it serves as the central service center for the Copper River area, and access to the park. Many backcountry, and flight seeing operations are based here. For more information
visit the website of the Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce or contact them at PO Box 469, Glennallen,
AK. 99588 or Phone: (907)822-5555.
The Park Visitor Center is located 8 miles south of Glennallen and is open from 8am to 6pm daily in summer. Phone: (907) 822-5234.
Much of the land in the area is owned by Alaskan Natives after it was returned to them under the Alaska Native Land Claim Settlement Act of 1971. Since trespassing can be a problem be sure you check with the Ahtna Native Office before you go off camping, fishing, or hiking in the area. They have an offices in the town directly across from the visitor center, or may be reached at (907) 822-3476.
There is some excellent fishing in the area along the highway corridor. The Glennallen Office of the Bureau of Land Management and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have offices here. From Glennallen, it is an easy day trip to either Valdez or Fairbanks. You can obtain maps and information about camping and river access from these offices.
McCarthy-Kennicott and the heart of the 13.2 million acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, is located at the end of the 93 mile Edgerton Highway. This is a very scenic yet rugged route from its junction with the Richardson Highway 32 miles south of Glennallen.
The Edgerton is paved only the first 35 miles from the Richardson to Chitina. From Glennallen, or Chitina there are connections into McCarthy by air or shuttle. Most car rental companies will not allow you to take their vehicles on this very rugged gravel road. However there are ground or air connections. The Backcountry Connection (1-866-582-5292) departs Glennallen daily at 7:00 am for the Kennicott River at $99 Return. From here, the only access to McCarthy and adjacent Kennicott (the old copper mining district) is via a footbridge across the river. Once across the footbridge, it is just a short walk, (or van ride) to the town of McCarthy. A different option is to fly from Chitina or Glennallen with Wrangell Mt. Air. They depart McCarthy & Chitina twice daily. One way for $75 and Return $140. Call 1-800-478-1160 or E-mail for more information or brochure.
The town of McCarthy is about 5 miles from the old mining district of Kennicott. Both are in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. At 13.2 million acres this is by far the largest national park on Earth. A "Mountain Kingdom", Wrangell-St. Elias is where three huge mountain ranges come together. It is unbelievably rugged and remote but certainly not impossible to get to. The heart of this vast expanse is the National Historic Site of Kennicott. Kennicott is literally perched on a mountain side next to the Kennicott Glacier. Kennicott was a copper mine during the early part of the century, operated by Kennicott Copper Corporation in New York. The mine produced more than 590,000 tons of copper and employed 800 people at its peak. It was the richest copper mine in the world until it closed in 1938. The mine closed so abruptly that equipment, tools, and other artifacts were left in their place. All the buildings are now on private land and the area is a National Historic Site.
Backcountry fly-in hikes will take you along trails that were established decades ago by miners and wildlife. The best is the Goat Trail which was an early miners route from McCarthy to the gold fields of Chisana.
Those willing to take the time and effort to reach this vast untouched wilderness will be rewarded with an experience that rivals that of Denali. With all of the activities you would find in Denali - backpacking, flight seeing, whitewater rafting, or glacier hiking, in the Wrangells, you will not find the crowds. In McCarthy you may camp, stay at one of the local lodges, or stay at the Kennicott Hostel, complete with a sauna. For much more information on this area, including Fees, Facilities, Trails, conditions, even jobs, contact the National Park Service PO Box 439 Copper Center, AK. 99573 Ph: 907-882-5234. or visit www.nps.gov/wrst