« Hiking Overview

Half-Day Glacier Hike

What you came to Alaska for.

Trip Description

Hiking on a glacier is a once in a lifetime experience. The Root Glacier is as good as it gets.

Consistently the highlight of the whole Alaskan vacation, the Root Glacier has amazing features immediately after setting foot on the ice. Within your half-day hike you have the opportunity to see waterfalls, crevasses, moulins, blue pools and more. Even if you’ve been on glaciers before, hiking on the Root Glacier is something special.

Start with a walk through the historic Kennicott Millsite. Admire the buildings and learn the story of how this National Historic Landmark came to be. A moderate two and a half mile trail to the glacier gives you a chance to learn from your guide about the geology, glaciology, flora and fauna of the area. Along the way you will have striking views overlooking the glacier and of Mount Blackburn (16,390ft). Once you arrive, strap on your crampons (which fit over most any hiking boot) and let your guide bring you to their favorite spots. Don’t forget your camera! Everywhere you turn there is another impressive view or surprising ice feature.

Duration: 5 hrs
Difficulty: Medium Half-Day Glacier Hike

Highlights:

  • Seeing glacial formations: waterfalls, crevasses, blue pools, moulins.
  • Hiking with crampons on an Alaskan glacier
  • Historical tour through the Kennicott Millsite
  • Interpretive 6-7 miles round trip hike to and on the glacier
  • Views of Mt. Blackburn (16,390 ft) and the Stairway Icefall (7,000 ft of ice!)
  • Great for all ages!
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and walking in crampons on uneven glacial surfaces.

Who:
Anyone looking for a 6-7 mile round trip hike and a glacier adventure.

  • Families with children 12 and under must book a private hike. $20 will be discounted for each child 12 and under at time of final payment.

When:
Group Hikes leave our KWG office at 9:30. Pick up from McCarthy at 9am (transportation provided free of charge)
Private Hikes can be scheduled to start between anytime 8am and 1pm.

Where:
This trip leaves from the KWG office, located across Main Street Kennicott from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

Trip Includes
  • Crampons adjustable to your boots or shoes
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Small client to guide ratios, no more than 6 people to one guide.
  • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin our trip.
  • A full array of medical, communications, and technical gear.
  • Extra layers if you forgot anything or couldn’t fit it in your luggage!
  • Day packs if you need one.

Trip Does not Include

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

$135/person
Max Group Ratio Size:  1 Guide : 6 Clients

Private Trip Prices

Private trips allow you and your guide to design the day that meets your goals and objectives.

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

1:1 / $500 per person
2:1 / $350 per person
3:1 / $265 per person
4:1 / $225 per person
5+ / $195 per person

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge

Half-Day Glacier Hike
A person reaching out the grab the hand of another person
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Two people cheers with water on the glacier
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
A person reaching out the grab the hand of another person
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Two people cheers with water on the glacier
Half-Day Glacier Hike

$135/person
Max Group Ratio Size:  1 Guide : 6 Clients

Private Trip Prices

Private trips allow you and your guide to design the day that meets your goals and objectives.

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

1:1 / $500 per person
2:1 / $350 per person
3:1 / $265 per person
4:1 / $225 per person
5+ / $195 per person

$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Trip Description

Hiking on a glacier is a once in a lifetime experience. The Root Glacier is as good as it gets.

Consistently the highlight of the whole Alaskan vacation, the Root Glacier has amazing features immediately after setting foot on the ice. Within your half-day hike you have the opportunity to see waterfalls, crevasses, moulins, blue pools and more. Even if you’ve been on glaciers before, hiking on the Root Glacier is something special.

Start with a walk through the historic Kennicott Millsite. Admire the buildings and learn the story of how this National Historic Landmark came to be. A moderate two mile hike to the ice gives you a chance to learn from your guide as much as you want about the geology, glaciology, flora and fauna of the area. Along the way you will have striking views overlooking the glacier and of Mount Blackburn (16,390ft). Once you arrive, strap on your crampons (which fit over most any hiking boot) and let your guide bring you to their favorite spots. Don’t forget your camera! Everywhere you turn there is another impressive view or surprising ice feature.

Duration: 5 hrs
Difficulty: Medium Half-Day Glacier Hike

Highlights:

  • Seeing glacial formations: waterfalls, crevasses, blue pools, moulins.
  • Hiking with crampons on an Alaskan glacier
  • Historical tour through Kennicott millsite
  • Interpretive 5-6 miles round trip hike to and on the glacier
  • Views of Mt. Blackburn (16,390 ft) and the Stairway Icefall (7,000 ft of ice!)
  • Great for all ages!
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include:
Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and walking in crampons on uneven glacial surfaces.

Who:
Anyone looking for a 5-6 mile round trip hike and a glacier adventure.

  • Families with children 12 and under must book a private hike. $20 will be discounted for each child 12 and under at time of final payment.

When:
Group Hikes leave our KWG office at 9:30. Pick up from McCarthy at 9am (transportation provided free of charge)
Private Hikes can be scheduled to start between anytime 8am and 1pm.

Where:
This trip leaves from the KWG office, located across Main Street Kennicott from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.

Trip Includes
    • Crampons adjustable to your boots or shoes
    • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
    • Small client to guide ratios, no more than 6 people to one guide.
    • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin our trip.
    • A full array of medical, communications, and technical gear.
    • Extra layers if you forgot anything or couldn’t fit it in your luggage!
    • Day packs if you need one.

    Trip Does not Include

    • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
    • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
    • Pre & Post trip lodging.
    • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

Half-Day Hike
Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.

A person reaching out the grab the hand of another person
Two people cheers with water on the glacier
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike
Half-Day Glacier Hike

We are so grateful to the company and our guide, they really made this a dream day for me!

When planning our trip to Alaska, the one thing I wanted was to walk on a Glacier! Dear hubby contacted Kennicott Wilderness Guides and got it all set up. On 9/9/18 we were picked up by Payton, she was awesome and our guide for the day. After all paperwork signed she got us outfitted with crampons. We had a hike to the Root Glacier and along the way she was able and willing to point out lots of small and interesting details. Once we got to the glacier she made sure we had crampons on correcting and showed us how to walk in them. The the day just got better the glacier it was awesome and with her knowledge we learned so much, she had been there the whole season and hiked so much of the area, she gladly shared that info with us. Payton made sure along the way to make sure we were safe.  Absolutely if you want to walk and experience the beauty of the glacier get in touch with this company.

Deb W. from Sacramento, California

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