Wrangell Mountains

The Wrangell Mountains are a high, largely glaciated mountain range in eastern Alaska, notable for large volcanoes and several peaks over 4,000 metres. Much of the range falls within Wrangell‑St. Elias National Park and Preserve, one of North America’s largest protected areas.

The range offers extensive icefields and alpine routes, long glacier valleys, and volcanic summits that attract experienced climbers, glacier travelers and scientists. Notable features include major massifs with elevations above 16,000 feet, extensive crevassed glaciers and remoteness that requires logistical planning.

The mountains formed through volcanic and tectonic processes related to the Wrangell volcanic field and Alaska’s complex plate interactions. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the area drew prospectors and explorers; scientific study and park designation followed in the 20th century.

Geographically the range sits in eastern Alaska, north of the Copper River basin and largely inside Wrangell‑St. Elias National Park and Preserve; the nearest small towns and airstrips for access are in the McCarthy and Chitina area.

• High, glaciated peaks: Contains several major peaks above 4,000 metres and extensive glaciers, many of which lie within Wrangell‑St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
• Remote access: Access is remote - approach is commonly by bush plane or via the McCarthy/Chitina area and requires mountaineering experience for backcountry travel.

What to See#

• Mount Blackburn: At 16,390 feet (4,995 metres) it is one of the highest peaks in the range and a major glaciated massif popular with experienced climbers.
• Mount Sanford: Rising to about 16,237 feet (4,949 metres), this peak features broad icefields and is a notable objective for long alpine routes.
• Mount Wrangell: An active volcanic summit at about 14,163 feet (4,317 metres) that hosts summit fumaroles and significant glaciation; it is one of the few volcanoes in the range with recorded thermal activity.

The Wrangell Mountains (Alaska) are remote and reached only by long road journeys or by air. Typical approaches start from Anchorage (fly in) and then either take a long drive via the Glenn and Richardson Highways toward access points such as Chitina/Glennallen and then unpaved roads (McCarthy Road) into park country, or use scheduled and charter bush flights to small airstrips near McCarthy/Chitina or other park airfields.

Expect multi-hour drives on paved highways followed by long gravel roads or short bush-plane hops to reach trailheads and backcountry access points.

• The Wrangell Mountains are remote alpine country best experienced by flightseeing, glacier-guided excursions, or planned multi-day backcountry trips; many peaks and glaciers are only accessible by bush plane or on technical routes.
• If you plan overnight wilderness travel inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, obtain the National Park Service backcountry permit and file a detailed trip plan in advance-search-and-rescue resources are limited and weather changes quickly.