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Get
an up-close look at the fascinating,
ever-changing face of "living ice" with St.
Elias Alpine Guides. Just a
mile and a half outside Kennicott,
in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park,
lies the massive Root Glacier. Nowhere
else in Alaska can you so easily access
an immense alpine ice sheet. In Kennicott,
your guide will fit you for crampons-spikes
strapped on the bottom of your boots
for traction while exploring the glacier.
The first mile and a half follows
an old wagon road, with stops to discuss
glaciology and geology, to take pictures
of 16,390-foot Mt. Blackburn. At the
glacier, you'll strap on your crampons;
with simple instruction and practice
from the expert guides, you'll feel
secure walking on the ice. Numerous
glacial streams cut deep ravines in
the ice and form shimmering azure blue
pools. As the ice gives way to the
melting water, incredible waterfalls
cascade deep into the glacier.
While half-day hikers then head back
to Kennicott, full-day
explorers will set their sights
on the cascading waterfall flowing
off of Donoho Peak into an immense
cavern underneath the Root and Kennicott
Glaciers, or head towards the 7,000-foot
Stairway Icefall.
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