How do I get to the launch point for the fly-in?

Most travelers will arrange transportation to McCarthy, then coordinate with St. Elias Alpine Guides for the flight details.

Is this activity suitable for children?

Yes, but participants should be comfortable with moderate hiking and flying in small aircraft, making it better suited for ages 12 and up.

What should I wear for the flight?

Wear comfortable layers and bring a jacket, as temperatures can vary during the scenic flight.

Guided trips include light snacks; options for additional meals can be arranged with advance notice.

What wildlife might I see?

Look out for marmots, Dall sheep, eagles, and possibly river otters depending on the season.

Is there cell phone service during the trip?

Cell service is limited in remote areas; ensure you're prepared for limited connectivity.

Wrangell Plateau Fly-In Hiking | Hiking in McCarthy, Alaska

Experience the thrill of exploring Alaska's rugged wilderness with the Wrangell Plateau Fly-In Hiking adventure, guided by the experts at St. Elias Alpine Guides. This exclusive journey offers adventurers a chance to access remote, pristine landscapes that are unreachable by road, revealing breathtaking vistas and untouched natural beauty. As you soar over the towering mountain ranges and dense forests, you'll land on rugged plateaus, where hiking trails wind through jagged peaks and alpine meadows in full bloom during summer. The trip combines the excitement of a scenic flight with the tranquility of discovering untouched terrains on foot, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a unique, remote experience. Whether you're scanning the horizon for wildlife, capturing stunning photos at viewpoints, or simply soaking in the vastness of the Alaskan wilderness, this adventure creates lasting memories. The expert guides ensure safety and enrich your journey with fascinating local insights, making it an ideal escape for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.

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.