Half Day Root Glacier Hike

5.0 (22 reviews) 5 hours Private tour

out of 5

22 reviews

5.0

Half Day Root Glacier Hike — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Beautiful water ways carved on the ice — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Tour Highlights

~Interpretive Walking Tour through the Historic Kennicott Mining Town

~Soaring Glacial & Mountain Vistas

~Hike on the White Ice of the Root Glacier

~Explore Unique Glacial Features (Blue Pools, Moulins, Crevasses)

~Drink from a Glacial Stream

~Unbeatable Views of the Stairway Icefall

Hiking Tours Top Product Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 5 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: English
Operated by: McCarthy River Tours

Ages: Adults (8–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: Local guide
Included: Trekking Poles (by request)
Included: Private tours
Included: Crampons

Not included

Not included: Lunch or Snacks
Not included: Water Bottle
Not included: Sturdy Hiking Shoes or Boots
Not included: Sunglasses & Sunscreen (Even if it is Cloudy!)
Not included: Rain Gear (Top & Bottom)
Not included: Backpack
Not included: Camara
Not included: Lightweight Gloves
Not included: A Tip for your Guide! (10-20% of trip cost is recommended)

Itinerary

Explore the Blue Pools, Moulins, Crevasses and rolling Ice of the Root Glacier accompanied by one of our local, knowledgeable guides. Well studied in glaciology and geology, our guides will bring you on a glacier hike adventure in one of the earth’s most dynamic landscapes. Outfitted with a pair of crampons and a pre-trip orientation, we’ll shuttle you from our shop in McCarthy 5 miles up the road up to historic Kennecott. Our glacier hike begins in historic Kennecott where your guide explains the buildings and history of the purest copper ever found on Earth. Your guides “insider” knowledge will help to illuminate the stories that once unfolded here. From Kennecott it is a two mile trek along the well-marked glacier trail. Check out wild-flowers, maybe taste a few of the Alaska Berries along the way. The roughly 2 mile hike from bus depot to white ice provides for great photo ops and stops along the way. Your guide will offer a immersive interpretive tour of glacier, alpine mountains and the creatures that roam here. Spend a few hours circling moulins, traversing fields of ice & basking in the beauty of blue pools, ice-falls & soaring mountains.

Stop 1
McCarthy River Tours & Outfitters
Root Glacier Trail

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Our Adventure Office is located on the West Side of the Kennicott River, Just one stop before the Kennicott River Footbridge. Please arrive at our office no later than 15 minutes prior to trip departure. We have free onsite parking for our tour guests.

End point

Our Adventure Office is located on the West Side of the Kennicott River, Just one stop before the Kennicott River Footbridge. Please arrive at our office no later than 15 minutes prior to trip departure. We have free onsite parking for our tour guests.

Pickup points

Currant Ridge
McCarthy Lodge Resort
Kennicott River Lodge
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Glacier View Campground

If electing hotel pickup, please ask the front desk to contact us the evening prior to your trip to finalize pick up location and time.

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 8 years
Dress code is outdoors ready, participants should bring sunglasses, gloves and rain gear and dress appropriately for the temperature.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately