Is this trail suitable for beginners?

The Donoho Peak Wilderness hike is challenging and recommended for experienced hikers with good fitness levels.

Do I need a permit to hike here?

No specific permit is required, but guided tours with St. Elias Alpine Guides include necessary permissions.

What is the best time of year to visit?

Summer and early fall are ideal for weather and daylight, but each season offers unique scenery and challenges.

What wildlife might I see?

You might encounter mountain goats, eagles, and possibly bears with proper precautions.

How difficult is the trail physically?

The trail involves strenuous uphill sections, requiring good endurance and physical preparedness.

What should I pack for this adventure?

Pack layered clothing, sturdy hiking boots, water, snacks, sun protection, and rain gear.

Donoho Peak Wilderness | Hiking in McCarthy, Alaska

Donoho Peak Wilderness offers an exhilarating hiking experience that immerses adventurers in the rugged beauty of Alaska's wilderness. Starting from McCarthy, this trail takes you through untouched landscapes, revealing spectacular views of glaciers, alpine lakes, and rugged mountain peaks. The route is perfect for those seeking solitude and a connection with nature, providing a sense of accomplishment as you ascend towards the summit. Along the way, hikers encounter diverse terrain, from lush forests to rocky outcroppings, with each step offering a new perspective of the untouched wilderness. The journey also provides opportunities for wildlife sightings, including mountain goats and eagles soaring overhead. St. Elias Alpine Guides specializes in personalized, private adventures, ensuring safety and expert insight throughout the trek. Whether you're an experienced hiker or looking for a challenging day trip, this adventure offers a memorable outdoor experience in Alaska’s stunning landscape, perfect for outdoor lovers seeking a private, guided exploration.

About St. Elias Alpine Guides

St. Elias Alpine Guides is a guiding company based in McCarthy, Alaska, offering guided adventures throughout Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and surrounding wilderness. The company leads a range of trips including packrafting, multi-day rafting, glacier hiking, ice climbing, fly-in hiking, and private basecamp expeditions. Popular itineraries include Doubtful–Nizina Packrafting, Tebay Lakes Basecamp Packrafting, Chitina River trips, Western Copper River rafting, Raft and Flightsee, Full-Day Glacier Hike on Root Glacier, Skolai Pass fly-in hiking, Bremner Mine basecamp hiking, and multi-day Ice Climbing and Ice Climbing Camp programs.

Trips are available as scheduled group departures or fully private, customizable experiences with options for day trips and multi-day expeditions. Many itineraries accommodate families and groups; for example, Chitina River trips welcome guests ages eight and up and Western Copper River trips can include children as young as three. Several trips conclude with scenic bush plane flights or operate from remote fly-in access points.

St. Elias Alpine Guides emphasizes small-group guiding, route planning, and trip customization to match client skill levels and objectives. Guides provide logistics, gear guidance, and route choices appropriate to each itinerary. Booking information lists fixed departures for some trips and private-date options for others, with clear descriptions of duration and difficulty. The company’s offerings focus on authentic wilderness experiences in McCarthy, Root Glacier, Tebay Lakes, the Copper River corridor, and surrounding Alaskan river systems.

Clients can select multi-day basecamps, day hikes, guided ice-climbing instruction, or combined raft-and-flightsee itineraries to tailor pace, challenges, and family needs. Booking details and gear lists.