McCarthy, Kennecott and the Root Glacier

Up early, a cup of joe, hash and eggs with a splash of Willards

and we're ready to head back over to McCarthy to catch the shuttle to Kennecott

Kennecott is an abandoned copper mining camp that is managed by the national parks system.

And with 14 levels it's the tallest wooden structure in North America

The mill town started in the early 1900's and was at it's peak in the 20's and 30's

 

From town we hiked another 2 miles back to the Root Glacier in the heart of the 

Wrangle-St. Elias National Park

We followed the trail as it winds along the moraine to the toe of the glacier. 

The trail crossed amazon creek

Beau crossing the creek

Beau on the toe

We made it!  90 % of the people who make the hike back to the glacier spend less than a half hour on it.

Because it's tough walking on the glacier without the proper gear.

Although we didn't bring our crampons we did have my set of hiking poles that allowed us to explore the back regions of the glacier

 

We deiced to hike up glacier to explore the back regions and the possibilities of finding undiscovered moulins and azure blue pools 

But first a cocktail to celebrate checking another box on our bucket list

Cheers!

As the ice gives way to melting water, holes know as moulins form

We wanted to take a dip but taking a sip seemed like a safer option.

Getting off the glacier, we hiked the lateral moraine, ice covered with glacially transported rock back to the trail back to Kennecott and then McCarthy

McCarthy has gone to the dogs

And we were fine with that

a show 

Another band

and a happy hike back to camp