Wrangell - St. Elias National Park

MAPS: Yakutat (D-5) 1:63,360, Mt. St. Elias-Canada 1:250,000, Yakutat, Alaska-Canada 1:250,000

DISTANCE/TIME: 11 miles one-way from airstrip at Esker Stream to face of Turner Glacier.

ACCESS: Air Taxi (C-185 or C-180) to beach airstrip at Esker Stream. Landing with boat near Turner Glacier.

ROUTE: Approximately 10 miles of coastal beach. The last 1 1/2 miles are mainly bushwhack on a higher bluff through the alder to Turner Glacier. There are 5 streams about knee deep to cross. When going around Bancas Pt. the hiker needs to time it at least one hour on either side of low tide. Good drinking water along this route. Plenty of spots to camp, but the prime spots are limited to this narrow beach corridor. There is mainly one spot to camp North of Bancas Pt. and this beach gets narrower and more rocky. Beached icebergs at low tide.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS: Wildlife—brown bear and moose. Changes in water level on streams. Camping too close to tidal zone. Use caution walking around large beached icebergs, as these can break or roll over in a moments notice. Good for beginner level hiker who has good working knowledge of S.E. Alaska tides.