{"id":27363,"date":"2020-05-30T08:10:52","date_gmt":"2020-05-30T14:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=27363"},"modified":"2020-06-08T20:11:20","modified_gmt":"2020-06-09T02:11:20","slug":"mccarthy-road-to-kennecott-the-erie-mine-trail-to-see-the-root-glacier-wrangell-st-elias-national-park-alaska-9-3-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=27363","title":{"rendered":"McCarthy Road to Kennecott & the Erie Mine Trail to see the Root Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska (9-3-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 30 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

Early morning, Denali Highway, 2.5 miles SSE of <\/em>Peak<\/span> <\/em>4790<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/strong> – Yesterday’s adventure to Peaks 4790 & 4403 had been a big hit, inspiring aspirations of taking on Peak 5210<\/span><\/strong>, or possibly even Tangle Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (5,715 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> today.\u00a0 However, just a glance out the window of the G6 told the story.\u00a0 Paxson Mountain (5,226 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in the clouds, even Peak 4790 looked foggy.\u00a0 A gray mist in all directions.\u00a0 Forget it.\u00a0 Not happening.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, prospects changed during the drive S on the Richardson Highway.\u00a0 The rain stopped, the mists vanished, blue sky appeared!\u00a0 For the second day running, SPHP ignored the turn E on the Tok Cut-off.<\/p>\n

Looks like we’re staying in Alaska!\u00a0 So, where are we off to, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Can’t leave Alaska on a pretty day like today, Looper!\u00a0 It’s a bit of a drive, but there’s a spot that we’ve been meaning to get to for the past few years.\u00a0 How would you like to visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>?<\/em><\/p>\n

I thought US national parks didn’t allow Dingoes?\u00a0 You’re not planning to leave me stuck in the G6 all day are you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, come on!\u00a0 You know I wouldn’t do that to you, Looper!\u00a0 Yeah, it’s true US national parks aren’t normally Dingo friendly, but from what I’ve read online, maybe we can get away with a little more in Kennecott?\u00a0 Sounds like maybe no one would object if you had a look at the Root Glacier.\u00a0 Shall we go check it out?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Root Glacier?\u00a0 We’re all for glaciers, aren’t we, SPHP?\u00a0 Sure, let’s do it!\u00a0 But if they won’t let me in, we’ll just turn around, OK?\u00a0 Unless you can take a real quick look.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Won’t be any quick look, Loop.\u00a0 First there’s some sort of shuttle bus ride, and then a trail that goes to the glacier.\u00a0 It’s a deal, though!\u00a0 If you aren’t allowed in the park, we’ll find something else to do<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
We’re going to see the Root Glacier! Ought to be fabulous! Why don’t you come along, too?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10 miles S of the junction with the Glenn Highway E of Glenallen, SPHP stopped briefly at the Copper Center Visitor Center, headquarters for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, to fill a few water bottles.\u00a0 A map was posted near the entrance showing McCarthy Road, which Lupe would be traveling to get close to Kennecott where the trail to the Root Glacier started.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Entrance to the Copper Center Visitor Complex, which seemed to be park HQ.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park<\/strong> regional map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
McCarthy Road<\/strong> map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Tips and advice for traveling McCarthy Road<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11:14 AM, 57\u00baF, Klutina River, MP 101 of the Richardson Highway<\/em> – S of the Copper River Visitor Complex, the Richardson Highway crossed the Klutina River.\u00a0 Lupe was ready for a break from the G6.\u00a0 Since there was a place to park and access to the river, this seemed like a good spot to stretch those Dingo legs and have a sniff.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the sky was now looking a bit stormy off to the E, calling the whole Root Glacier idea into question.<\/p>\n

\"\"
By the Klutina River<\/strong>. Photo looks downstream (E).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the sky all gloomy over the Wrangell Range, there wasn’t any point in stopping at the Willow Lake viewpoint.\u00a0 Mount Drum<\/span><\/a> (12,010 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Mount Wrangell<\/span><\/a> (14,163 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and all the other white giants were socked in among the clouds.\u00a0 The weather was still decent along the Richardson Highway, though, so SPHP kept driving S.<\/p>\n

The L (E) turn onto the Edgerton Highway came 5 miles S of Willow Lake.\u00a0 A sign said it was 94 miles to McCarthy.\u00a0 The Edgerton Highway was in beautiful shape.\u00a0 The first half dozen miles were arrow straight and went ENE descending a huge slope in a series of drops.\u00a0 The highway then leveled out and curved SE, eventually climbing a bluff overlooking the Copper River.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the Copper River<\/strong> overlook along the Edgerton Highway. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Display at the overlook.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Edgerton Highway continued SE on mountain slopes following the Copper River valley, but the river was seldom in view.\u00a0 Eventually the road left the river, winding S down a long valley where it passed 3 deep narrow lakes before arriving at the little community of Chitina.<\/p>\n

Chitina was the official end of the 33 mile long Edgerton Highway.\u00a0 The road turned E here, and the pavement ended.\u00a0 Ahead was a gap blasted through solid rock that was only one lane wide.\u00a0 If there had been any on-coming traffic, a wait until it cleared would have been necessary.<\/p>\n

The narrow gap was short.\u00a0 When the G6 emerged on the other side, Lupe found herself at the confluence of the Copper and Chitina Rivers.\u00a0 This was the start of the 60 mile long McCarthy Road and an amazing sight!\u00a0 Although low this time of year, both rivers still had considerable flow and impressive giant riverbeds.<\/p>\n

McCarthy Road was gravel.\u00a0 Beyond the gap, it immediately turned NE hugging the base of a steep mountainside for nearly a mile before reaching a bridge over the Copper River.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Copper River bridge<\/strong> a mile from the start of McCarthy Road<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Downstream view. The Chitina River<\/strong> joins the Copper River<\/strong> from the E (L) at the base of the ridge seen dead ahead. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the bridge, McCarthy Road turned E along some bluffs overlooking yet another river.\u00a0 The Kotsina River was much smaller, but also had an impressive braided-channel floodplain.\u00a0 The Kotsina joined the Copper River only a mile upstream of the Chitina River confluence.\u00a0 Worth another stop!<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Kotsina River<\/strong> just upstream of its confluence with the Copper River<\/strong>, which flows R to L along the base of the far ridge. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the Kotsina River, McCarthy Road wound up onto a forested ridge.\u00a0 Gravel turned to chip seal, a most definite improvement despite numerous rough breaks and pot-holes.\u00a0 About 4 miles from the Kotsina, a fabulous view of the Chitina River appeared on the R.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Checking out the Chitina River<\/strong>. Photo looks upstream (SE).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

McCarthy Road now proceeded E through forested territory.\u00a0 Another 10 miles or so brought Lupe to the most famous point along McCarthy Road, the single lane bridge over the Kuskulana River.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Approaching the Kuskulana River bridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
We’ll be crossing the Kuskulana bridge in just a moment.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Kuskulana bridge had a metal support structure, but the roadbed was constructed of heavy wooden planks.\u00a0 The planks looked practically brand new.\u00a0 Very reassuring!\u00a0 The river itself was so deep in a heavily timbered valley that Lupe scarcely saw it, although SPHP drove super slowly while crossing the bridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Loopster at the Kuskulana River bridge<\/strong>, McCarthy Road. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the Kuskulana bridge, the chip seal ended.\u00a0 Gravel all the rest of the way!\u00a0 Potholes, washboardy, some stretches not real good.\u00a0 The usual sort of thing, but nothing impassable or out of the ordinary.\u00a0 McCarthy Road continued E or SE through some beautiful territory.\u00a0 Lupe saw two swans on Chokosna Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"
One of many ponds and small lakes along McCarthy Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Chokosna Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Two swans enjoying a float in light rain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The next point of interest was the Gilahina Trestle at the Gilahina River, which was little more than a creek.\u00a0 The wooden trestle, a good portion of which was still intact, was built during the winter of 1910.\u00a0 The trestle was once part of the Copper River & Northwestern Railway serving the Kennecott copper mine in the early 20th century.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the Gilahina River<\/strong> rest stop where part of the century old Gilahina Trestle<\/strong> still stands.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Wading in the Gilahina River<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the Gilahina Trestle<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Historical information posted at the Gilahina rest stop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Slow and scenic, McCarthy Road went on and on.\u00a0 Intermittent rain fell.\u00a0 The G6 had to ford 2 streams.\u00a0 Fortunately, neither was more than a foot deep.\u00a0 In one case, a beaver dam right next to the road was holding back water more than a foot higher than McCarthy Road itself.<\/p>\n

SPHP drove past many signs saying “entering” or “leaving” Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, reflecting the existence of numerous stretches of private property.\u00a0 Homes, lodges, campgrounds, cabins for rent, tire repair businesses, and even small air strips all became increasingly frequent.<\/p>\n

McCarthy Road finally started going downhill.\u00a0 Several miles later, the road leveled out.\u00a0 SPHP stopped at a visitor information station on the L.\u00a0 The little office was locked, but information was posted outside.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Local area map posted outside the first visitor information booth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Oh, no! Dingoes not allowed on the shuttle vans!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Shuttle schedule and ticket prices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Criminy!\u00a0 Dingoes weren’t allowed on the shuttle vans.\u00a0 That meant a 5 mile march up to the old Kennecott mill town before Lupe could even start on the trail to the Root Glacier.\u00a0 60 miles on McCarthy Road had taken 2.5 hours with all the stops.\u00a0 Already after 3:00 PM!<\/p>\n

A little farther along McCarthy Road was another visitor center.\u00a0 Why two?\u00a0 Maybe this second one was privately owned?\u00a0 This visitor center was clearly open.\u00a0 Outside a sign said free day use parking, or $5.00 overnight.\u00a0 SPHP drove on by to the end of McCarthy Road which wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 On the L was some sort of campground.\u00a0 A sign said “base camp”.\u00a0 Straight ahead was a long metal footbridge, the only way across the huge silty torrent of glacial meltwater comprising the fast-flowing Kennecott River.<\/p>\n

We’re probably doomed Loop.\u00a0 Think we’ve arrived too late to see the Root Glacier today, since they won’t let you on the shuttle buses.\u00a0 Shall we try walking to Kennecott?\u00a0 Probably more sensible to wait until tomorrow, but who knows what the weather will be like then?\u00a0 Been sort of rainy on the way here.\u00a0 Might easily be worse tomorrow.<\/em><\/p>\n

Up to you, SPHP.\u00a0 You’re the one who takes forever and a day, and will have to hurry.\u00a0 I know I can get there easily enough.\u00a0 If we don’t make it, we can always try again tomorrow, weather permitting.<\/em><\/p>\n

Alrighty then.\u00a0 Let’s stash the G6 back at that free day parking place, and get after it.\u00a0 We can always turn back, if getting to the Root Glacier starts looking completely hopeless.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
At the 2nd visitor information center, the one with the free day use parking.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:34 PM, 61\u00baF, free day parking visitor center near the end of McCarthy Road<\/em> – Throw everything in the pack and go!\u00a0 SPHP didn’t even bother stopping by the visitor center.\u00a0 Loopster was on her way to the Root Glacier!\u00a0 The end of McCarthy Road was only a short walk from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the bitter end of McCarthy Road<\/strong>. The footbridge over the Kennecott River is dead ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Looks exciting already!<\/em> Loopster at the Kennecott River footbridge<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The Kennecott River<\/strong>, fresh from the Kennecott & Root Glaciers. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turned out there were two long metal footbridges, one after another.\u00a0 The second bridge went over a dry wash.\u00a0 Perhaps an abandoned channel of the Kennecott River, or one that only flowed during the spring melt when the river was high?<\/p>\n

\"\"
On the second footbridge. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Looking up the dry wash from the 2nd footbridge. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the end of the second footbridge, a path on a level ridge paralleled a road that was a bit lower off to the L.\u00a0 The path was hundreds of feet long and passed an outhouse before rejoining the road a little beyond it.\u00a0 This appeared to be the point where shuttle buses picked up or dropped off lucky ticket holders.<\/p>\n

Of course, that fortunate group did not include Lupe or SPHP.\u00a0 A long road hike was ahead.\u00a0 Still 4.5 miles up to Kennecott!\u00a0 10 minutes on the road brought Lupe to an intersection.\u00a0 Here another road went hard R to McCarthy.\u00a0 Even though McCarthy must have been quite close, Lupe was in a rush.\u00a0 The American Dingo simply didn’t have time to check it out.<\/p>\n

SPHP tried to walk fast.\u00a0 The road to Kennecott went gradually uphill.\u00a0 The day was getting sunnier, and the forced march began to feel mighty warm.\u00a0 Progress seemed both good and insufficient.\u00a0 Precious time was ticking away!\u00a0 Shuttle buses full of happy passengers zoomed by every 10 minutes or so, stirring up dust.\u00a0 A few passengers waved cheerfully at the two suckers along the road.<\/p>\n

Private vehicles went by with some regularity, too.\u00a0 Apparently there was plenty of private property even over on this side of the Kennecott River.\u00a0 As the road started climbing at a faster clip, Lupe began passing cabins and vacation homes.\u00a0 Exactly how all these vehicles that kept coming and going got over here to begin with was a mystery.<\/p>\n

The situation wasn’t looking good.\u00a0 The road hike was taking way too long.\u00a0 Hopes were fading when a white pickup slowed, then stopped.\u00a0 Need a ride?\u00a0 Sure!\u00a0 SPHP offered to pay.\u00a0 Unnecessary.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were invited to hop up into the back of the pickup.\u00a0 It still took a little while to get to Kennecott.\u00a0 Loop couldn’t have been more than halfway when her benefactor had arrived.<\/p>\n

Ah, yes!\u00a0 This was the life!\u00a0 Zooming along effortlessly, Lupe rode facing into the breeze.\u00a0 At Kennecott, she got formally introduced to Robert, who had so kindly stopped for her.\u00a0 Robert had a cabin somewhere in the area, and had spent most of the summer here.\u00a0 He was on his way to the big hotel in Kennecott for dinner.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Lupe with her benefactor, Robert, and his fabulous free Dingo shuttle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After many thanks, Robert went on his way.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had a look around.\u00a0 Robert had dropped the lucky Dingo off at the entrance to the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Entering Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Kennecott Mines<\/strong> history.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Map of Kennecott area trails.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As historic old mining operations go, Kennecott was easily by far the most impressive example Lupe and SPHP had ever seen!\u00a0 Many huge old buildings were perched along a steep hillside overlooking the Kennecott Glacier.\u00a0 Some of these buildings were rotting away into various states of disrepair, but others had been remodeled and were in use for various functions.\u00a0 Concession stands, tour guides, equipment rentals, a shuttle ticket booth, and souvenir shops were all open.<\/p>\n

A more thorough exploration of Kennecott would have been fun, but even with Robert’s help, Lupe still didn’t have any time to spare.\u00a0 An area trail map showed the American Dingo needed to head N on the one main street running through Kennecott.\u00a0 Robert was already up at the Kennecott Glacier Lodge<\/strong><\/span><\/a> overlooking the main drag, enjoying a drink while waiting for dinner.\u00a0 He shouted and waved as Lupe and SPHP went by.<\/p>\n

\"\"
If we’d had more time, we would have joined Robert for drinks and dinner up on the balcony of the Kennecott Glacier Lodge<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The enormous Kennecott Glacier could be seen between some of the buildings Lupe was going by.\u00a0 Completely covered with dirt and rock, the Kennecott Glacier didn’t even look like a glacier, more like a vast gravel pit gone wild.\u00a0 A strange and desolate scene, and a dangerous region!<\/p>\n

\"\"
A glimpse of the Kennecott Glacier on the way through Kennecott. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Heading N through Kennecott<\/strong>. What an impressive operation this must have been!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Kennecott Copper Mine<\/strong> operated from 1911 to 1938.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back toward the toe of the Kennecott Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Kennecott Glacier<\/strong> (L). The Root Glacier joins in a little farther up the valley. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the N end of Kennecott, the street narrowed down to a nice level jeep or ATV trail.\u00a0 A scenic 15 minute stroll through the forest brought Lupe to a junction.<\/p>\n

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On the ATV route as it leaves the N end of Kennecott. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching the first trail junction. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Awesome, rugged territory, with a particularly beautiful peak on the L! Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the trail junction N of Kennecott. Photo looks N, the way Lupe was headed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Signs for 4 different trails were at the junction.\u00a0 The Jumbo Mine and Bonanza Mine trails went to the R.\u00a0 Those trails were big climbs up to more abandoned mining operations.\u00a0 Lupe went L, sticking with the Root Glacier and Erie Mine trails.<\/p>\n

Not far from the junction, Loop crossed a wooden bridge over Bonanza Creek.\u00a0 The trail was still flat and easy, but remained in the forest.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was 15 minutes beyond the junction when she finally got a good glimpse of the Kennecott Glacier again.\u00a0 A couple minutes later, the view really opened up.\u00a0 Donoho Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,696 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight beyond the confluence of the Root and Kennecott Glaciers!<\/p>\n

\"\"
A glimpse of the Kennecott Glacier<\/strong> from N of Bonanza Creek. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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White ice of the Root Glacier<\/strong> (R) joins the dirty Kennecott Glacier<\/strong> (L) here at their confluence. Donoho Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another 5 minutes brought Lupe to a big gash in the hillside she was on created by Jumbo Creek.\u00a0 The trail went steeply up along the near side of the gash, before dropping down a bit to cross Jumbo Creek right below a waterfall.\u00a0 Lupe spent several minutes exploring the waterfall before taking a narrow bridge over the stream.<\/p>\n

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By the edge of the gash eroded out by Jumbo Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Exploring Jumbo Falls<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jumbo Falls<\/strong> is pretty cool!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the bridge over Jumbo Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Immediately beyond the Jumbo Creek bridge, a short very narrow stretch of trail traversed a steep slope.\u00a0 The sure-pawed Carolina Dog had no problem with it.\u00a0 Even SPHP managed to trudge across in one piece.\u00a0 8 minutes from Jumbo Creek, Loop came to another junction.<\/p>\n

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Kennecott Glacier<\/strong> from N of Jumbo Creek. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Close up of the Kennecott Glacier<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Root Glacier and Erie Mine trails parted ways here.\u00a0 Off to the L, the Root Glacier trail went down to the glacier, which wasn’t very far away.\u00a0 In fact, it was possible to rent crampons back in Kennecott and venture right out onto the Root Glacier, but SPHP hadn’t done that.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the junction of the Root Glacier<\/strong> and Erie Mine trails<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s mission was to get all the way to the end of the Erie Mine trail, which continued on up the valley paralleling the Root Glacier.\u00a0 At the end, if the American Dingo got that far, she would have a grand view of the Stairway Icefall coming down from vast snowfields surrounding splendid Regal Mountain<\/span><\/a> (13,845 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A little beyond the junction, Loop crossed a plank bridge over Amazon Creek, last of the 3 streams she would have to get over.\u00a0 So nice that they all had bridges!<\/p>\n

The Erie Mine trail stayed well above the Root Glacier all the time.\u00a0 At first, the glacier was seldom in sight as the trail often passed through forests behind a lateral moraine.\u00a0 Once in a while, the trail ventured up onto the moraine.\u00a0 During these stretches, Lupe often caught glimpses of the glacier.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Root Glacier<\/strong> (foreground) with the Kennecott Glacier<\/strong> beyond it. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun was getting low.\u00a0 The need for speed never let up.\u00a0 As the Erie Mine trail went on and on, the vegetation began to thin out.\u00a0 The trail spent more time up on the lateral moraine.\u00a0 Views of the Root Glacier started opening up, and continued to improve as Lupe headed N.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Root Glacier<\/strong> from a magnificent opening. Donoho Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Confluence of the Root<\/strong> (foreground) and Kennecott Glaciers<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Root<\/strong> and Kennecott Glaciers<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Same shot zoomed in a bit. Fireweed Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,956 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Few sights are as amazing as a glacier!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Occasionally the path still strayed back into the forest.\u00a0 Now whenever the Erie Mine trail returned to the lateral moraine, Lupe had panoramic views.\u00a0 From the edge, loose slopes plunged down to meltwater pools flanking the Root Glacier.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The views opened up as the vegetation diminished. Donoho Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Now and then the Erie Mine trail<\/strong> returned to the forest behind the lateral moraine. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Along the crumbling rim of the moraine. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Portions of the lateral moraine had collapsed.\u00a0 A steep slope prevented Lupe from seeing farther up the valley.\u00a0 The Erie Mine trail went up and around the missing moraine.\u00a0 Part of Stairway Icefall was now in sight!\u00a0 However, a mountainside jutting out to the W still frustrated Lupe’s hopes of getting a completely unobstructed view.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Another glance back. Fireweed Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Part of the Stairway Icefall<\/strong> is now in sight at the upper end of the Root Glacier<\/strong>. Still need to get past that next slope (R) to get a really good look at it. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Stairway Icefall<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether it would even be possible to get around that next bend wasn’t clear.\u00a0 The top of the lateral moraine became very skinny.\u00a0 Even parts of the trail had collapsed.\u00a0 Lupe had to go 20 or 30 feet down a steep bank into a little valley on the E side of the moraine to avoid a treacherously unstable portion of the trail perched on the brink of disaster.<\/p>\n

A porcupine was in the way.\u00a0 Lupe wisely stayed away from it, but the porcupine took its sweet time sauntering off what now served as a trail.\u00a0 No official trail was down here, but hikers had evidently been this way.\u00a0 After getting past a 200 or 300 foot stretch of unsafe moraine, Loopster returned to the top again.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Getting there! Almost past the mountainside partially blocking the view of the Stairway Icefall<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

200 feet farther, the trail again left the moraine.\u00a0 Looper was in a rocky ditch.\u00a0 Two thick steel cables hung so low over the trail that SPHP had to duck.\u00a0 Unseen somewhere 3,000 feet higher up the mountain to the R (E) was the Erie Mine.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Two steel cables near the end of the Erie Mine trail. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the cables, the path quickly led back to a barren spot with a bit of room up on top of the lateral moraine.\u00a0 Success!\u00a0 This had to be it!\u00a0 Lupe had reached the end of the Erie Mine trail.<\/p>\n

Further advance beyond this point looked feasible, but time-consuming.\u00a0 Ahead a steeply angled rock wall promised to put an end to that option before too long.<\/p>\n

Two boards were laying next to the drop-off at the end of the barren spot, perhaps both to signal the official end of the trail and serve as a warning.\u00a0 This was good enough, anyway.\u00a0 Lupe finally had her clear view of the Stairway Icefall at the upper end of the Root Glacier!<\/p>\n

\"\"
Stairway Icefall<\/strong> & the Root Glacier<\/strong> from the end of the Erie Mine trail<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately, low clouds completely hid mighty Regal Mountain and the vast snowfields above Stairway Icefall that fed the Root Glacier.\u00a0 Nothing to be done about that.\u00a0 Already 8:00 PM.\u00a0 The sun was about to sink into a bank of clouds near the horizon.\u00a0 Lupe was lucky to have made it to the end of the Erie Mine trail in time to see anything at all.<\/p>\n

What could be seen was still tremendously impressive!\u00a0 From the end of the Erie Mine trail, the Carolina Dog had a sweeping view of the entire Root Glacier from the Stairway Icefall clear down the valley all the way back to its confluence with the Kennecott Glacier.<\/p>\n

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Stairway Icefall<\/strong> and the upper end of the Root Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Lupe at the end of the Erie Mine trail<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadly not much time to enjoy this magnificent spot.\u00a0 Those tricky points along the trail made it important to get back past them before dark.\u00a0 Lupe could take a short break, though.\u00a0 She relaxed having a Taste of the Wild dinner, while enjoying the fabulous Root Glacier view.<\/p>\n

\"\"
A river of ice! Hard to believe it even when you’re right here looking at it!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Root Glacier ice<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zoomed in on the Stairway Icefall<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Looking back. Fireweed Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
So what do you think? Coming to see the Root Glacier<\/strong> was totally worth it, wasn’t it?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun vanished.\u00a0 20 minutes gone.\u00a0 Better get with it.\u00a0 If it hadn’t been for Robert, Lupe would never have made it this far.<\/p>\n

On the way back, the porcupine was hogging the trail again.\u00a0 It scurried away as Lupe and SPHP approached, but refused to leave the Erie Mine trail.\u00a0 Scurry?\u00a0 I meant amble.\u00a0 Porcupines rarely see any need to rush.\u00a0 This one certainly didn’t.\u00a0 Come on, come on!\u00a0 For hundreds of feet, Lupe followed the porcupine at a safe distance while it plodded S at a most distinguished pace.<\/p>\n

The porcupine finally ceded the trail to the American Dingo.\u00a0 From then on the return was a race back while the light still held.\u00a0 Fun times, as long as the Root Glacier was still visible in the gathering gloom.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Heading back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Evening at the Root Glacier<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pitch dark long before Lupe got back to Kennecott.\u00a0 A few scattered lights in the old mining mill town, but not a soul out and about.\u00a0 Downhill all the way now to the footbridges over the Kennecott River.\u00a0 A weary 5 mile tramp, but so what?\u00a0 McCarthy Road, Kennecott, the Erie Mine trail had all been a terrific success.<\/p>\n

Best of all, a certain beloved Carolina Dog really had seen the ancient Stairway Icefall that still feeds Alaska’s fabulous Root Glacier!\u00a0 (9-4-19, 12:48 AM)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Stairway Icefall<\/strong> and the Root Glacier<\/strong> from the end of the Erie Mine trail<\/strong>, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska 9-3-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Root Glacier Trail & Erie Mine Trail Description & Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 30 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! Early morning, Denali Highway, 2.5 miles SSE of Peak 4790 – Yesterday’s adventure to Peaks 4790 & 4403 had been a big hit, inspiring aspirations of taking on Peak 5210, or possibly even Tangle Benchmark (5,715 ft.) today.\u00a0 However, just a glance out … Continue reading McCarthy Road to Kennecott & the Erie Mine Trail to see the Root Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska (9-3-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1210],"tags":[704,105,106,26,1262,1265,1261,1264,104,1260,1259,1263],"class_list":["post-27363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2019-yukon-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-erie-mine-trail","tag-gilahina-trestle","tag-kennecott","tag-kuskulana-bridge","tag-lupe","tag-mccarthy-road","tag-root-glacier","tag-wrangell-st-elias-national-park"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/IMG_5406.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27363"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27906,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27363\/revisions\/27906"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}