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For
all its remoteness, McCarthy-Kennicott
boasts what may be the most romantic,
picturesque hotel in the state: the
quintessentially Alaskan Kennicott
Glacier Lodge. A replica of
one of the historic copper-mining buildings,
it's a luxurious property that sits
in the heart of the ghost town and
the center of Wrangell-St. Elias National
Park and Preserve, surrounded by pines
and mountains. Curl up by the fireplace
with a book, enjoy the home-cooked
meals, and have dinner on the deck
that nearly juts out over the Kennicott
Glacier.
Built in 1987, the 25-room
lodge has a 190-foot-long front porch
with a panoramic view of the Chugach
and Wrangell Mountains. A recently
built Annex offers 10 larger rooms,
plus two living rooms. Your quiet,
intimate bedroom is decorated with
old mining artifacts and photos. And
though each bedroom only has a cold
water sink, there are plenty of spotless
bathrooms and showers throughout the
lodge.
Take a leisurely stroll along forest
paths, hike mountain trails, and explore
old copper mines, with stupendous views
of the area around you. The Kennicott
and McCarthy area is great for mountain
biking, since there are plenty of old
mining roads and little or no traffic.
Discover more about this historic mining area by visiting
the museum in nearby McCarthy.
The lodge offers a casual atmosphere
and congenial staff for dining. Breakfast
and lunch are served from a menu, and
dinner is served family style at a
single seating. The "wilderness gourmet" features
homemade soups, pastries, breads, and
delicious desserts.
After dinner, join
a guide for a leisurely stroll through
the ghost town, watch a slide show
or an Alaskan video, or just enjoy
the evening sunshine from the front
porch and listen to the glacier creak,
pop, and groan. It's that close.
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