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Overview
of the Park
The Chugach, Wrangell, and St. Elias mountain ranges converge
here in what is often referred to as the "mountain kingdom
of North America." The largest unit of the National Park
System and a day's drive east of Anchorage, the Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park includes the continent's largest assemblage
of glaciers and the greatest collection
of peaks above 16,000 feet.
Mount
St. Elias, at 18,008 feet, is the second highest peak in the
United States. Adjacent to
Canada's
Kluane National Park, the site is characterized by remote mountains,
valleys, wild rivers, and a variety of wildlife.
McCarthy
is the primary gateway to the interior of Wrangell-St. Elias
and can be reached via the McCarthy road from Chitina. The McCarthy
road follows the old road bed of the railroad that once served
McCarthy and Kennicott.
The
park is a paradise for hiking, backpacking, photography and other
wilderness activities. The Kennicott Mine historical area is
just five miles up a gravel road from McCarthy.
Historical Data
- Proclaimed
as Wrangell-St. Elias National Monument - Dec. 1,1978
- Established
as a national park and preserve - Dec. 2, 1980.
- Wilderness
designated - Dec. 2,
1980.
- Designated
a World Heritage Site - Oct. 24,1979.
- Kennecott
Mines National Historic Landmark - June 23, 1986
- Valdez
Trail -- Copper Bluff Segment - February
12, 1998
- Malaspina
Glacier National Natural Landmark
- Chisana
Historic Mining Landscape - May 14, 1998
- Bremner
Historic Mining District - June 15, 2000
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