Mount Wrangell
Mountain Large active shield volcano in Alaska's Wrangell range
Large shield volcano in eastern Alaska, Mount Wrangell features a persistent summit crater and fumarolic activity. Its remote slopes lie within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park; researchers and technical climbers visit for volcanic study and high-country routes.
Mount Wrangell is an ice-covered shield volcano in the Wrangell Mountains of eastern Alaska. It reaches about 14,163 feet (4,317 meters) and is notable for its large size and summit fumaroles.
The mountain’s principal visible features are an extensive ice cap and a broad summit caldera with steaming vents. Access is remote; views and close approaches typically require air travel, glacier travel, or long backcountry routes.
Geologically it is a basaltic shield volcano formed by successive lava flows; the summit area shows ongoing fumarolic activity and volcanic landforms rather than a sharply peaked cone. It has been mapped and studied as part of Alaska’s volcanic province and sits within the boundaries of the national park.
Mount Wrangell lies in the eastern Alaska Range within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, in a sparsely populated part of the state. The nearest settled areas are small communities and former mining towns in the Copper River region; the area is dominated by glaciers and high mountains.
- Elevation: Rises to 14,163 feet (4,317 meters) and is one of Alaska's largest shield volcanoes by volume.
- Volcanic activity: Located inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, with a persistent fumarolic area at the snow-covered summit.
Tips for Visiting Mount Wrangell #
- Treat Mount Wrangell as a remote, backcountry destination: confirm current volcanic and weather reports before travel and plan transport with pilots or guides experienced in the Wrangell area rather than attempting self-supported approaches.
- Arrange logistics (bush plane or river access) well in advance and build in weather contingency days-flights and river travel in this region are frequently altered by fog, winds and sudden storms.
- If you're primarily there to view or photograph the volcano, plan to observe it from established access points or nearby settlements rather than trying to reach the summit crater, both for safety and permitting reasons.
Best Time to Visit Mount Wrangell #
Summer months are the preferred time to approach Mount Wrangell for safer access and more reliable conditions.
Weather & Climate near Mount Wrangell #
Mount Wrangell's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with freezing summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -26°C to -3°C. Moderate rainfall (688 mm/year).
January
January is freezing with highs of -18°C and lows of -25°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and breezy conditions.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -15°C and lows of -21°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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March
March is the coldest month with highs of -22°C and lows of -26°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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April
April is freezing with highs of -19°C and lows of -23°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is freezing with highs of -13°C and lows of -16°C. The driest month with just 26 mm and breezy conditions.
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June
June is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -12°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and breezy conditions.
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July
July is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm) and breezy conditions.
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August
August is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and breezy conditions.
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September
September is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and breezy conditions.
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October
October is freezing with highs of -13°C and lows of -21°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and breezy conditions.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -17°C and lows of -24°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -16°C and lows of -23°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and breezy conditions.
