Discover the thrill of hiking on Alaska's famous Root Glacier with an overnight adventure. Experience stunning ice formations, wilderness camping, and guided exploration in a remote, pristine setting.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
challenging
Duration
2 days
Fitness Level
Participants should have good endurance and prior hiking experience, especially in cold conditions.
Wildlife
History
The area around McCarthy has a rich history linked to the Klondike Gold Rush and Alaskan wilderness exploration.
Conservation
St. Elias Alpine Guides emphasize Leave No Trace principles, ensuring minimal environmental impact on this pristine glacier ecosystem.
St. Elias Alpine Guides
Discover the thrill of hiking on Alaska's famous Root Glacier with an overnight adventure. Experience stunning ice formations, wilderness camping, and guided exploration in a remote, pristine setting.
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.
Tours Offered
11 trips
Guided packrafting, rafting, climbing.
Base Location
McCarthy, AK
Gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias.
Trip Lengths
Day to Multi-day
From 9-hour to multi-day trips.
Private & Group
Private & Group
Custom dates and scheduled departures.
Choose scheduled departures or request private dates for packrafting, ice climbing, glacier hiking, and multi-day river expeditions.
Dress in moisture-wicking layers
Layering helps manage varying temperatures and keeps you dry during the hike.
Pack extra warm clothing
Temperatures can drop significantly overnight, so bring sufficient insulation and warm sleeping gear.
Stay on designated trails
To protect the glacier and avoid hazardous crevasses, always stick to marked paths guided by your experts.
Carry sufficient water and snacks
Stay energized during your hike with plenty of water and lightweight, high-energy snacks.
Insulated sleeping bag
Keeps you warm overnight in alpine camping conditions.
winter
Hiking boots with good traction
Supports stability on icy and uneven terrain throughout the hike.
Layered clothing system
Allows you to adapt to changing weather and activity levels for comfort and safety.
spring|summer|fall|winter
Headlamp and extra batteries
Provides visibility during early morning, late evening, or emergency situations.
winter