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Overview

Alaska - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - McCarthy
McCarthy, AK 99566, USA
Jul 23 - 26, 2026
Plot Twist Adventures image
Plot Twist Adventures
$2,250

About your trip

Join Plot Twist Adventures for an epic Alaskan Expedition to Alaska's breathtaking Wrangell St. Elias National Park!  


Day 1: Matanuska Glacier Tour


Day 2: Kennecott Mill Town Tour & Hike Root Glacier


Day 3: Glacier Lake Packrafting & Night Out In McCarthy


Day 4: Glenn Highway Scenic Byway Back to Anchorage


Basecamp will be in Glennallen and McCarthy.


We will pick you up from the airport and head to base camp.  All camping gear, meals,  permits/entrances to the parks, transportation to all activities, and memories of a lifetime! You just bring yourself, your crew, some clothes, and a toothbrush!!! Of course, the most important thing is to bring your sense of adventure!! 

What to expect

Payment Plans Available!!!


Basecamp will at a BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Group Site in the Moab, Utah area.  There will be a pit/vault/camp toilet available but no running water.  Your guides will provide drinking water and water for essential personal  hygiene.  There will be a shower day offered at a TBA Moab facility.


A detailed packing list will be provided in your welcome email after booking.



Plot Twist Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips for mechanical or construction failures of vehicles and equipment, acts of god, acts of terrorism, forces of nature, unpredictable weather conditions, and other unpredictable occurrences.

Plot Twist Adventures guests will be required to submit a $500 deposit at the time of booking.  The remaining balance will be due 60 days before their trip date. 

Cancellations

There are no refunds for our trips.  If for some reason a guest has to cancel we will credit the deposit and apply payments to a future trip.  We recommend guests purchase travel insurance to cover unexpected changes in their travel plans. 


What's included

Transportation

Roundtrip transportation from Anchorage Airport and other designated rendevous points

Camping Gear

Top-quality tents, comfortable sleeping pads, sleeping bag, pillow

Meals

All meals included prepared by our guides with adventure fuel ingredients

Fee

All National Park, State Park & Recreation Fees

Guides

Expert guides in basecamp and on adventures

What's not included

Airfare

Getting to and from rendezvous points will be the responsibility of the guest

Pre/Post Accommodations

If guests are arriving before or departing after designated tour transportation schedule they are responsible for those accommodations

Gratuity

Guide gratuity (Recommended 15-20% of trip cost)

Day 1

Day 1 image

Matanuska Glacier Tour

Guest pick up at Anchorage International Airport.


Scenic drive along to the Famous Glenn Highway


Matanuska Glacier Tour

Hike along the base of a 26-mile long advancing valley glacier. See the wonder and marvel of one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers by foot with this popular Glacier Tour. You’ll be outfitted with the necessary gear and transported by vehicle to the glacier terminus at the front of the park. Our experienced guides will inform and guide you through the rock fields of the large terminal moraine and on to the impressive ‘Ice Falls’ area of the Matanuska Glacier. This expanse of dense glacier ice naturally falls over the submerged rock deposit underneath it and reflects back up, creating jagged upward spire formations otherwise known as seracs. There is a small lake at the front of the ‘Ice Falls’ that is the creation point for the water that feeds a powerful river just downstream. Along the way, there are constant views and evolving glacier features to check out. Erratics, flowing moulins and deep crevasses of this glacier create an ever evolving landscape with active geology all around. 


Basecamp will in the the Glennallen Area.

Day 2

Day 2 image

Kennecott Mill Town Tour & Hike Root Glacier

Kennecott Historic Mine Tour 


Kennecott, Alaska is a ghost town frozen in time. When the Kennecott Copper Corporation abruptly abandoned the town in 1938, they left behind their equipment, buildings, and personal belongings; yet, their stories of discovery, perseverance, and ingenuity live on!


St. Elias Alpine Guides holds the exclusive concession with the National Park Service, and access to the 14-story Concentration Mill is only possible through this tour. Come see what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness as you tour the town site with one of our knowledgeable guides. Listen to tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. Gain exclusive access to explore inside the 14-story mill building and several other historic buildings when you join our tour! Our 2-hour historic Mill Town Tour is a must-do for anyone visiting Kennecott, Alaska!


Hike Root Glacier


The main street in Kennicott turns into a well-maintained, 4-mile-long hiking trail just outside of town. This trail winds alongside the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, and hiking it is a great opportunity to experience the grandeur of the Wrangell Mountains and see more of the valley.  Microspikes will be provided.



Day 3

Day 3 image

Glacier Lake Packrafting & Night Out In McCarthy

Glacier Lake Packrafting


Join us on an unforgettable half-day paddling experience. Explore the incredibly scenic Kennicott Glacier Lake in your own inflatable boat. Feel the freedom of floating in a little boat in a big place. Circle icebergs, explore the glacier’s edge and take in 360 degree views from your personal rotating craft. The ultralight packrafts, and close proximity to the dynamic glacial lake make this a uniquely Alaskan trip not to be missed.

Duration: 4-5 hrs

Night Out in McCarthy


The Golden Saloon is the locals gathering place the only saloon inside the National Park! Fun, craveable food & live entertainment rule the night here.

Saturdays are all-out parties with live bands and late-night dancing.

Basecamp will be in McCarthy, AK


Basecamp in McCarthy

Day 4

Day 4 image

Glenn Highway Scenic Byway Back to Anchorage

 

The Glennallen Scenic Drive, part of the Glenn Highway (Alaska Route 1), offers one of the most breathtaking routes in Alaska. It spans approximately 135 miles from Palmer to Glennallen, showcasing the raw and rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. The drive is known for its dramatic mountain vistas, expansive glaciers, and diverse landscapes. Here's a detailed overview:

Key Features of the Glennallen Scenic Drive:

1. Matanuska Glacier

  • Description: One of the most prominent highlights, this massive, 27-mile-long glacier is easily accessible from the highway. It provides stunning views and opportunities for glacier hiking or guided tours.
  • Location: Around Milepost 102.

2. Chugach Mountains

  • Towering peaks of the Chugach Range dominate the scenery, with jagged summits and snow-capped ridges providing a dramatic backdrop.

3. Tazlina River Valley

  • As you approach Glennallen, the valley offers sweeping views of rivers winding through the wilderness, with wildlife often spotted in the area.

4. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Views

  • Near Glennallen, you'll glimpse the towering peaks of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, including Mount Drum, Mount Wrangell, and Mount Sanford. These peaks are among the tallest in North America.

5. Wildlife Viewing

  • Moose, bears, and caribou are commonly seen along the highway. Bird enthusiasts may spot bald eagles and waterfowl near streams and lakes.

Guests depart in Anchorage

Location

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1. McCarthy, AK 99566, USA

McCarthy, AK 99566, USA

About your organizer

Delicious, nutritious adventure fuel, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, chairs, guided hikes, other guided activities, and MORE are included in our trips. Just bring yourself, your peeps, and your go bag!! Let Plot Twist Adventures become your bucket list ambassador in 2023! Sign up for updates about our all-inclusive small group camping & hiking trips at www.plottwistadventures.com

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