Wrangell - St. Elias National Park

MAPS: Bering Glacier 1:250,000; Bering Glacier (D-5) (D-6) (D-7) 1:63:360

TIME: 10 to 14 days

The first half of the hike pastThere is no "trail" on this hiking trip. At the present, this is a wilderness adventure following the easiest path through the mountains. It is in the Chugach Mountains near the Bagley Icefield bounded by the Tana River to the east, the Chitina River valley to the north, and the West Fork of the Tana River to the south.

TheChugach Mountains offer the hiker panoramic views of the mountains within the park from Mt. Loganand Mt. St. Elias to the southeast; Mt. Tom White to the southwest; Mt. Wrangell and Mt. Sanford tothe Northeast; Mt. Blackburn to the North, and Mt. Bona and the University Range to the northeast. Inother words, you have the opportunity to see most of the high peaks within the park! The region alongthe Tana River is rich in wildlife. The area has one of the highest concentrations of grizzlies in NorthAmerica. There are also moose, mountain goats, wolverines, Dall sheep, trumpeter swans, hawks,ptarmigan and numerous other wildlife to discover. The gold at the Bremner mine was discoveredaround the turn of the century. Recreational mining is allowed within the park and you may wish to tryyour luck while in the area.

The trip begins at the "Cross" landing strip on the west side of the Tana River south of TowheadMountain. The airstrip is referred to as the "Cross" strip because of the cross that was built using whiterocks to mark the strip. The west side of the strip is bounded by a steep, bushy hillside. At the southend of the strip, a rocky gully leads up the hillside through the brush. It offers the best path through thebrush to the top of the hillside. There is a small seepage of drinkable water in the brush below the rockslide, but you should have full water bottles before flying in. Hike up the rock slide to the top of thehillside where a campsite can be made. There is a small stream on top (3500'). The campsite offersgreat views of the mountains north of the Chitina River valley.

Above the campsite is a narrow pass (4500') through the mountains to the west. Hike through the passand down the steep slope on the other side. You will have to hike through sparse alders and willows forseveral hundred yards to cross Willow Creek and the area west of it. Hike due west after crossingWillow Creek for several hundred yards. You will see a glacier and small valley appear to your left.This is the pass between P6650' and P6310'. You can camp at the glacier or hike over the pass (5600')to camp in the valley on the other side. If you are prepared, you can travel up the glacier, or hike on therocky slopes that skirt it to the west.

Once through the pass and down the slope on the south side, youfind yourself in a large, alpine valley. There is some willow and alder brush but it is sparse and growsmainly on the banks of the streams. Most of the peaks that surround the valley are still unclimbed(several were climbed in 1985). The peaks are quiet craggy and are home to elusive mountain goats.From here you will want to follow the valley to the south and west, picking the easiest path around thealders and willows. You will follow the stream that flows southward, eventually draining into the WestFork of the Tana. There are several side valleys that you can explore. And some of the peaks offernon-technical ascents which could yield wonderful views. A good peak to scramble up is P6148' at thesoutheast end of the valley. It is situated on the northwest corner of the Tana-West Fork junction.There is a lake south of the peak with decent campsites. Resuming the hike, you will turn west up thelarge valley and head towards the Bremner mine.

At the western end of the valley, you should take a northerly heading through a pass in the mountains.This section from here to the Bremner mine is unexplored, so be prepared to do a little "exploring" inorder to find the best route through the mountains. This end of the valley is just south of GoodlataPeak. As of this date, it is still unclimbed and is a pretty, pyramid shaped peak. You will want to stayas high as possible when picking your route to avoid the thick brush. There are many small valleys toexplore and you should take your time. Maybe even try to luck at gold panning in the many smallstreams along the way. Be careful of "fools gold". It is abundant in the region. It may take three or fourdays to find a way through the mountains to the Bremner Mine airstrip. You may want to have yourbush pilot fly over the area on your flight in to scout out your route. This will also allow you to see thelocation of the Bremner airstrip. You may want to plan your trip to allow extra time to spend at this oldgold mine, exploring through the "antiques" left behind over the years.