The McCarthy Road and Kennicott

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The McCarthy road spans 59 miles, from the Copper River to the Kennicott River. It follows the roadbed of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway which was built in 1908. The road is surrounded by the 12 million acre Wrangell-St Elias National Park. The Kennicott Copper mine was one of the richest and most profittable through the 1940's. We drove the McCarthy road, visiting both McCarthy and Kennicott. We took a fightseeing tour over the Wrangell-St Elias Park, which covered numerous glaciers. We flew mostly at 7,000 feet . The tallest mountain, Mt. Blackburn was over 15,000 feet. We were so close, it felt like you could reach out and touch the glaciers. By air is the only way you can see many of these Glaciers.
After the incredible flight, we toured the Copper Mill in Kennicott. At one time 200-300 people lived in the town and worked the mines. The tour went into the Mill which has 14 stories. Many of the original buildings are being restored by the park service. Wrangell-St Elais Park is the largest National park, with the fewest visitors.

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Photos

Entering the McCarthy Road
The road is barely wide enough for 1 car

Small plane
Our plane being fueled

Canyon walls
As seen from the air

Mt. Blackburn
15,000 ft. elevation

One of the Seven Sisters
Hanging Glaciers

Root Glacier
The size of New Jersey