Hiking onto the Root Glacier

The Root Glacier Trail begins at Kennecott, and the route out to the ice is relatively easy going. The trail works for people who have never walked on a glacier before.

Hikers who go with a guide and the proper equipment can stay on the ice for several hours, either walking across it or climbing it. The trail covers about seven miles with roughly 1,500 feet of total ascent. The outing is listed at six hours, and the difficulty is rated easy to moderate.

From the ice, peaks rise on every side. Far off in the distance you can pick out the Stairway Icefall, which ranks as the second tallest icefall in the world. Ice climbing is also available on the glacier for those who want to try it.

Kennecott is also home to the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark, an early 1900s copper mine that worked through many obstacles in remote Alaska. The Kennecott Visitor Center occupies the historic Blackburn School, and visitors can tour the old copper mill.

Reaching the area is part of the trip. McCarthy Road is 59 miles long, and visitors cross a footbridge before being shuttled to their lodge or campground. McCarthy is also the starting point for flightseeing tours that show the icefields from above.