Root Glacier Basecamping and Backpacking Trips

One of our favorite locations is also our most affordable.

Trip Description

Basecamping:
Camp next to the glacier with access to amazing day adventures.

Hike a two mile trail with daypacks to your camp beside the Root Glacier. Spend the afternoon hiking the trail above the glacier, getting an amazing perspective of the glacial landscape and great views of Stairway Icefall. Back at camp your guide will make you a delicious meal and you can watch the light dance across the valley. In the morning enjoy breakfast with a view and head out for a full day of glacier hiking. Options for a third day include; more time on the glacier, hiking up to the alpine, or a relaxing morning and hike back to Kennicott.

This trip does not require a plane and instead requires porters to carry all necessary gear and food to and from camp on the first and last day. This service is $100/person. If you are interested in carrying all of your gear see the Backpacking Loops below.

Duration: 2-3 days
Difficulty: Easy – Hard

Backpacking Loops:
Our backyard is one of the best backpacking playgrounds in the park. From KWG’s Office in Kennicott you have hike-in access to a number of high quality loops. Glacier travel, epic campsites, and hidden pockets of alpine exemplify the area. Spend a night overlooking the Root Glacier, or spend a whole week and head for the elusive Pack Saddle Island. The iceberg filled Eire Lake is an amazing glacier-side destination, the alpine knolls above delivering jaw dropping views of the Stairway Icefall (7,000 vertical feet of ice!). Cross the glacier to Donoho Basin for great camping, bird watching and tranquil lakeside scenes. Options abound, and there isn’t a bad choice.

Duration: 2-7 days
Difficulty: Easy – Hard

Highlights:

No flight needed, making this our most affordable backcountry trip
Experience Alaskan glacier backpacking
Camp in unforgettable locations
Travel through a variety of off-trail terrain
Potential for wildlife sightings
Get up close to some of the world’s largest icefalls

Trip Details

Terrain Challenges:
Rocky/unstable ground, elevation gain and loss in short distances, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling, glacier travel.

Who:
Novice campers to experienced backpackers

When:
June-September

Where:
We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes

Pre-trip planning.
Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
Small ratios: 1 guide for groups up to 5 people. 2 guides for groups of 6+ (additional porters may be requested for any group size at an additional cost)
Customizable itinerary.
Airfare into the backcountry.
Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
Cooking gear and fuel.
Backpacking pack (if needed)
Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
Technical gear and equipment.
Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does not Include

Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
Day packs (for basecamping day hikes)
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.
Alcohol in the backcountry.
Pre & Post trip lodging.
Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

Start Planning Your Trip Now

Custom Trip Prices

Root Glacier Backpacking (No airfare needed, add $100/ person for porter)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price (*these prices valid for June & Aug 15 – End of Season, rates are higher during peak season July 1- Aug 15)

Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $2,535 per person
2:1 / $1,575 per person
3:1 / $1,185 per person
4:1 / $960 per person
5:1 / $960 per person
6+:2 / $960 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,380 per person
2:1 / $2,100 per person
3:1 / $1,580 per person
4:1 / $1,280 per person
5:1 / $1,280 per person
6+:2 / $1,280 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $4,225 per person
2:1 / $2,625 per person
3:1 / $1,975 per person
4:1 / $1,600 per person
5:1 / $1,600 per person
6+:2 / $1,600 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,070 per person
2:1 / $3,150 per person
3:1 / $2,370 per person
4:1 / $1,920 per person
5:1 / $1,920 per person
6+:2 / $1,920 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,915 per person
2:1 / $3,675 per person
3:1 / $3,765 per person
4:1 / $2,240 per person
5:1 / $2,240 per person
6+:2 / $2,240 per person

Group Package Trip Price

All inclusive group trip includes local lodging and roundtrip transportation to McCarthy-Kennicott.

June 23–29, 2025 • 5 Total Spots
July 27–August 2, 2025 • 5 Total Spots
Pricing per Person – 5 Day Trip
$1,875

Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge

Start Planning Your Trip Now

Custom Trip Prices

Root Glacier Backpacking (No airfare needed, add $100/ person for porter)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price (*these prices valid for June & Aug 15 – End of Season, rates are higher during peak season July 1- Aug 15)

Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $2,535 per person
2:1 / $1,575 per person
3:1 / $1,185 per person
4:1 / $960 per person
5:1 / $960 per person
6+:2 / $960 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,380 per person
2:1 / $2,100 per person
3:1 / $1,580 per person
4:1 / $1,280 per person
5:1 / $1,280 per person
6+:2 / $1,280 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $4,225 per person
2:1 / $2,625 per person
3:1 / $1,975 per person
4:1 / $1,600 per person
5:1 / $1,600 per person
6+:2 / $1,600 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,070 per person
2:1 / $3,150 per person
3:1 / $2,370 per person
4:1 / $1,920 per person
5:1 / $1,920 per person
6+:2 / $1,920 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,915 per person
2:1 / $3,675 per person
3:1 / $3,765 per person
4:1 / $2,240 per person
5:1 / $2,240 per person
6+:2 / $2,240 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,820 per person
2:1 / $3,300 per person
3:1 / $2,760 per person
4:1 / $2,400 per person
5:1 / $2,190 per person
6+:2 / $2,190 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,790 per person
2:1 / $3,850 per person
3:1 / $3,220 per person
4:1 / $2,800 per person
5:1 / $2,555 per person
6+:2 / $2,555 per person

Group Package Trip Price

All inclusive group trip includes local lodging and roundtrip transportation to McCarthy-Kennicott.

June 23–29, 2025 • 5 Total Spots
July 27–August 2, 2025 • 5 Total Spots
Pricing per Person – 5 Day Trip
$1,875

Trip Description

Basecamping:
Camp next to the glacier with access to amazing day adventures.

Hike a two mile trail with daypacks to your camp beside the Root Glacier. Spend the afternoon hiking the trail above the glacier, getting an amazing perspective of the glacial landscape and great views of Stairway Icefall. Back at camp your guide will make you a delicious meal and you can watch the light dance across the valley. In the morning enjoy breakfast with a view and head out for a full day of glacier hiking. Options for a third day include; more time on the glacier, hiking up to the alpine, or a relaxing morning and hike back to Kennicott.

This trip does not require a plane and instead requires porters to carry all necessary gear and food to and from camp on the first and last day. This service is $100/person. If you are interested in carrying all of your gear see the Backpacking Loops below.

Duration: 2-3 days
Difficulty: Easy – Hard

Backpacking Loops:
Our backyard is one of the best backpacking playgrounds in the park. From KWG’s Office in Kennicott you have hike-in access to a number of high quality loops. Glacier travel, epic campsites, and hidden pockets of alpine exemplify the area. Spend a night overlooking the Root Glacier, or spend a whole week and head for the elusive Pack Saddle Island. The iceberg filled Eire Lake is an amazing glacier-side destination, the alpine knolls above delivering jaw dropping views of the Stairway Icefall (7,000 vertical feet of ice!). Cross the glacier to Donoho Basin for great camping, bird watching and tranquil lakeside scenes. Options abound, and there isn’t a bad choice.

Duration: 2-7 days
Difficulty: Easy – Hard

Highlights:

No flight needed, making this our most affordable backcountry trip
Experience Alaskan glacier backpacking
Camp in unforgettable locations
Travel through a variety of off-trail terrain
Potential for wildlife sightings
Get up close to some of the world’s largest icefalls

Trip Details

Terrain Challenges:
Rocky/unstable ground, elevation gain and loss in short distances, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling, glacier travel.

Who:
Novice campers to experienced backpackers

When:
June-September

Where:
We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes

Pre-trip planning.
Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
Small ratios: 1 guide for groups up to 5 people. 2 guides for groups of 6+ (additional porters may be requested for any group size at an additional cost)
Customizable itinerary.
Airfare into the backcountry.
Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
Cooking gear and fuel.
Backpacking pack (if needed)
Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
Technical gear and equipment.
Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does not Include

Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
Day packs (for basecamping day hikes)
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.
Alcohol in the backcountry.
Pre & Post trip lodging.
Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

Root Glacier
Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.

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