Root Glacier

Overview

About Root Glacier

Root Glacier is the park’s most approachable “walk-on” glacier, starting from historic Kennecott. The trail is generally easy-to-moderate until the final half-mile, where you descend loose moraine to the glacier’s toe. Many hikers call it a trip highlight thanks to turquoise melt pools, rippling ice, and sweeping views of Mt. Blackburn, Regal Mountain, and Donoho Peak.

Why stop

Rare, easy-to-reach glacier you can safely walk with traction
Blue melt pools, icefalls, and big mountain views

Heads up

Steep, loose descent to the ice; slippery surfaces on-glacier
Seasonal creek crossing and changing conditions add uncertainty

Map

Where it is

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Full map

SightRoot Glacier61.57667, -142.90194

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Root Glacier

Bring microspikes or crampons and trekking poles for the ice.
Budget extra time for the loose, steep descent to the glacier.
Avoid the glacier edge, moulins, and thin snow bridges—conditions change daily.
Carry bear spray and give wildlife plenty of space.
Account for the footbridge and shuttle time when planning your day.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to go

From Kennecott Mill Town, it’s roughly 1.5–2 miles to the signed left turn for glacier access, then a steep, rocky descent to the ice. Many hikers report the total outing feels like 5–6 miles, depending on how far you explore.
Budget 2.5–3 hours to reach and enjoy the toe, and add 1–3 hours if you plan to roam on the ice.

Logistics & Access

You can’t drive to Kennecott. Park by the McCarthy Road footbridge and walk, bike, or take the local shuttle to the mill town trailhead.
Expect a seasonal crossing of Amazon Creek near the access path.
Primitive campsites, an outhouse, and food lockers are available near the Root Glacier access; there’s also a pit toilet along the trail.

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Wrangell-St. Elias Tour Guide

Your drive to Root Glacier, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Wrangell-St. Elias audio tour

98 audio storiesacross Wrangell-St. Elias’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Moose, Humpback Whale, and 13 more
Works offlinemaps, 13 trails, 28 places, and audio download before you lose signal
CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive

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Guide

More about Root Glacier

What You’ll SeeVivid blue pools, rushing melt streams, and sculpted crevasses and moulins.

Vivid blue pools, rushing melt streams, and sculpted crevasses and moulins.
The thundering Stairway Icefall audible from the trail.
Striking dark debris bands (medial moraines) where rock layers ride atop the ice—“dirty” ice here is still glacier underneath.

Safety on the IceTraction is mandatory for walking on the glacier—bring microspikes or crampons, plus trekking…

Traction is mandatory for walking on the glacier—bring microspikes or crampons, plus trekking poles.
Avoid the glacier edge (undercut, rotting ice and swift, frigid water), thin snow bridges, moulins, and any blue holes or cracks you can’t see into.
Surfaces evolve daily; check conditions in Kennecott and consider a guided hike if you’re new to glacier travel.

WildlifeBears live here. Hike in groups where possible, make noise, and carry bear spray.

Bears live here. Hike in groups where possible, make noise, and carry bear spray. If camping in the area, store food properly.

Best Time to VisitSummer into early fall is prime.

Summer into early fall is prime. Start early to enjoy firmer morning surfaces and extra time on the ice.
Mornings can hold cloud cover; clearer afternoons often reveal the big peaks. Build in shuttle time so you’re not rushing off the glacier.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Wrangell-St. Elias

All Wrangell-St. Elias wildlife maps

112 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 9 PMSighting map

63 sightingsMooseMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

21 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 1 PMSighting map

46 sightingsSteller Sea LionMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

37 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

48 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Wrangell-St. Elias. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.