Saint Elias MountainsAbout Saint Elias Mountains
The Saint Elias Mountains are a high, glaciated mountain range spanning southeastern Alaska and the adjacent Yukon and British Columbia in Canada. The range contains some of North America’s highest coastal and inland peaks.
The range’s defining features are steep, heavily glaciated peaks such as Mount Saint Elias (18,008 ft / 5,489 m) and Mount Logan (5,959 m), along with extensive icefields and valley glaciers that dominate local scenery. Access is frequently by long overland routes, floatplane or lodge-supported expeditions, and recreational activity is focused on high-mountain climbing, glacier travel and backcountry skiing.
The mountains were named and charted during European exploration of Alaska and the North Pacific in the 18th and 19th centuries; Indigenous peoples have long histories in and around the range. In the 20th century the area became a focus for mountaineering and scientific glacier study.
The Saint Elias range stretches from the Gulf of Alaska inland across southeastern Alaska into the Yukon and northwestern British Columbia, forming a rugged borderland between the United States and Canada.
- Glaciation and remoteness: The range contains extensive icefields and large valley glaciers; many approaches are remote and require glacier travel skills.
- Protected lands: Parts of the range fall within protected areas, including Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska and national parks in Yukon.
What to See#
- Mount Saint Elias: Mount Saint Elias, a prominent peak on the range’s coastline with an elevation of 18,008 feet (5,489 metres), noted for rapid vertical relief above the Gulf of Alaska.
- Mount Logan: Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada at 5,959 metres, lies within the same mountain system and features extensive glaciation.
Best Time to Visit Saint Elias Mountains
Summer (June-August) is the main season for expeditions and climbing; outside that window conditions are harsher and access more limited.
Weather & Climate near Saint Elias Mountains
Saint Elias Mountains's climate is classified as Ice Cap - Ice Cap climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -21°C to 3°C. Abundant rainfall (1159 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -21° - -12° | -25° | 88 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -19° - -9° | -21° | 83 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -20° - -13° | -23° | 74 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -15° - -9° | -19° | 54 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -9° - -4° | -12° | 63 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | -6° - 1° | -7° | 110 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | -3° - 3° | -4° | 130 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | -3° - 3° | -4° | 123 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -7° - -1° | -10° | 121 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -13° - -6° | -16° | 100 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -19° - -10° | -22° | 98 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -20° - -11° | -24° | 115 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Saint Elias Mountains
Access is by air: fly to Anchorage or Juneau, then take regional or charter flights to staging points like Yakutat, McCarthy, or glacier airstrips. Overland travel is impractical for most visitors due to the range’s remoteness; plan for bush-plane logistics and multi-day expeditions.
Tips for Visiting Saint Elias Mountains
- If planning glacier travel, hire a certified glacier-guide and ensure appropriate gear; crevasse risk is serious.
- Fly into Anchorage and plan a logistical leg via Yakutat or regional bush flights; distances are vast and transport costly.
- Respect wildlife and bear country protocols - the range supports grizzly and black bears.