A Complete Guide to Hiking Root Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Root Glacier is one of the top attractions in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and if you're in the area it's definitely something you'll want to add to your itinerary. As one of the only easily accessible glaciers in Alaska that you can still walk onto yourself, it's one hike you won't want to miss. Even though the park itself is quite remote and is a journey in itself to get to, it's one spot in Alaska that I highly recommend visiting if you have the time.

​My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates.
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To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi.

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Hiking in Alaska - Gear to Bring & Tips

Hiking in Alaska is a bit different than hiking anywhere else. With wildlife, rough terrain, and weather that's constantly changing - you'll want to be prepared and at least have an idea of what to expect. I always recommend carrying bear spray with you. There have been instances of hikers getting mauled in the city of Anchorage, so when you're somewhere as remote as Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, you'll definitely want to carry bear spray with you. You'll also want to carry mosquito spray or repellent. The bugs in this area can be especially bad, and every time my husband and I hike out to Root Glacier we actually bring the entire can of mosquito spray with us and end up reapplying throughout the hike.

Luckily, the trail out to Root Glacier is pretty well traveled, especially during peak summer months. I recommend wearing a sturdy pair of hiking boots, wearing comfortable clothes that you don't mind sweating in, and hiking poles for the areas that are a bit more steep and rocky. You'll also want a backpack with water, a snack to enjoy on the glacier (just pack everything out with you) and maybe a small blanket to sit on, ice cleats, and a few extra layers to put on while you're on the glacier. Because weather can change quickly, it might also be worth bringing a raincoat. 

It's important to note that hiking on a glacier, unguided, can be especially dangerous. There can be thin ice, crevices, and pools of water or rushing rivers - if you're unsure at all about heading out on the glacier, or you want to go further out on the glacier, I recommend booking a guided hike out.

-> Book A Guided Hike to Root Glacier <-

​My Favorite Tours in Wrangell St. Elias NP :
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour
- Half Day Root Glacier Guided Hike

A Complete Guide to the Root Glacier Hike

If it's your first time visiting, it can be a little confusing on how to actually make it to the trailhead. You'll want to first make it to the end of the road at Base Camp Kennicott - you can park your vehicle here and walk over the pedestrian bridge to the other side of the river. From here, you'll want to catch the $5 per person shuttle that brings you to the town of McCarthy, and further to Kennecott. The hike begins on the other side of the old mining buildings, but if you decide you wanna walk from the town of McCarthy, it'll add on about 5 miles round-trip to the hike.

Once you make it to the trailhead, the 5.7 mile round-trip hike begins. The first half of the hike is fairly flat, wooded, and is shared with bikers. This is where you'll want to look out for any moose and any bears as they can be a bit harder to spot in the foliage. As you continue, you'll pass over a small bridge by a small waterfall and have some great opportunities to enjoy the views of nearby mountain peaks across the glacier field. Eventually, after about a mile and a half, you'll make it to a sign post where the trail splits. You'll want to continue following the trail to the left and begin your descent to the glacier.

-> Book A Guided Hike to Root Glacier <-

From here the views begin to open up, and any wildlife will be much easier to spot, the majority of this section of the trail is a steep descent. If you have bad knees or ankles, you'll want to be careful as it can also be very rocky and some areas are a bit unstable. I recommend taking your time and using your hiking poles, because unfortunately, you'll also have to go back up this way. In the peak summer months this area of the trail can also get quite crowded, and I've seen traffic jams in this area before, so you'll want to be patient.

Eventually, you'll make it down to the glacier. I recommend sitting on one of the rocks to put on a couple of layers and your ice cleats. You'll also find lots of guided tours here, since walking on a glacier can be quite dangerous. If you've decided to hike out on your own without a guide, I encourage you to be extra careful and not go too far out on the glacier. The best way to see more of the glacier is by booking a guided tour. 

Once you made it to the end, you can enjoy the views, have a little snack, and take it all in. And, whenever you're ready, you can begin the hike back.

Watch my Wrangell-St. Elias Adventures Here!

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Other Wrangell-St. Elias Blog Posts : 
-> 48 Hours in Wrangell-St. Elias
-> Where to Stay in Wrangell-St. Elias
-> 10 Best Things to Do in Wrangell-St. Elias

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