McCarthy
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McCarthy-Kennicott: |
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Distances Between McCarthy-Kennicott and :
Fairbanks =
374 mi / 601 km
Valdez =176 mi / 283 km
Anchorage
= 255 mi / 408 km
Population
=28
Elevation
=1,531 feet / 467 meters
THE McCARTHY ROAD (Edgerton Highway)
McCarthy-Kennicott 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 (which follows the old rail bed and is complete in some areas with railroad ties and spikes!). However there are ground or air connections.
The Backcountry Connection, 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.
McCarthy-Kennicott is located 125 miles from Glennallen. The first half of the trip carries you through the farming community of Kenny Lake and into historic Chitina. Departing from Chitina, you can stop at the Copper River Bridge, where you can see operating fish wheels on the Copper River. The Kuskulana River's 600' steel & wooden bridge was built in 1911 and has a span of 283 feet.
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 or explore. 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. Copper was first discovered in 1900 and was one of the richest deposits every discovered. The venture was backed largely by the Guggenheims. 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 untouched. Only recently has the historic significance of the site been realized and an effort at preservation achieved.
behavior), McCarthy grew into a miners' and railroaders' town complete with restaurants, pool halls, saloons, newspapers, and photo shops. In the early part of the century the two communities (only a few miles apart) were very dependent upon each other. When copper prices began to fall, the mines in Kennicott were closed (in 1938) and the train service into both communities was discontinued. Today McCarthy has about 35 year round residents. Today the road into the area is actually the old rail bed.
Regular bus service between McCarthy and Kennicott is via Wrangell Mountain Bus - $5 one-way, ($2 for dogs!).(907) 554-4411. Downtown McCarthy has a
lodge, restaurant, several flight seeing and backcountry hiking services and an excellent museum of the towns history. This is one of the best areas to go flight seeing in Alaska. The Root Glacier Trail is about 4 miles along the Root Glacier and makes for an excellent day hike. You can even climb onto the Glacier itself. Practice extreme caution however, since gravel covered ice, and crevasses can be very dangerous. The Bonanza Creek Trail is over 4 miles long and climbs to 4000 ft. but gives an excellent view of the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, and Donoho Peak.
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 Wrangell's, 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
McCarthy's
Lancaster Hostel and Lodge Located in the
heart of the Historic mining support town of McCarthy. Opening in the spring of
2002 it will have 9 double rooms in the heart of McCarthy and within a short
stroll to all the major eateries and tour vendors in the area We truly are
located in some of Alaska's most spectacular country.
xperience 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 Wrangell's, 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
McCarthy's Lancaster Hostel and Lodge Located in the heart of the Historic mining support town of McCarthy. Opening in the spring of 2002 it will have 9 double rooms in the heart of McCarthy and within a short stroll to all the major eateries and tour vendors in the area We truly are located in some of Alaska's most spectacular country.