To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we invite you to explore the wonders of the Copper River Basin with two challenges!
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20 Trails Challenge
Explore old favorites and discover new hiking trails with our list of  favorite hikes in the Copper River Basin.  Can you check off 20 in the summer of 2022?
At the end of September, send in your checklist for a prize.  We'll have WISE shirts, hats, and mugs, plus you'll be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate for outdoor gear.
​Scroll down for detailed trail information and links for the 20 Trails Challenge.
20 Flora and Fauna Challenge
Indulge your curiosity about our Copper River Basin plants and wildlife with the 20 Flora and Fauna Challenge.




Hike Information
Richardson and Glenn Highway Hikes
Aspen Interpretive Trail   Co-op Road, Glennallen.  Co-op Road is one block west of the IGA store.  Parking and Trailhead are on the left about 1/4 mile up Co-op Road.  This trail is an easy 1 mile loop right in "downtown" Glennallen, with nice interpretive signs.  WISE was one of the partners who helped build this trail in our early years!
 https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Trails-Near-Wrangell-St-Elias-VC.pdf

Copper Center School Trail, Silver Springs Road, Copper Center.  Park at the old school, 1/4 mile down Silver Springs Road on the Old Richardson Highway.  The trail starts from the field behind the playground.  There are several loops to choose from, all easy walking through nice stands of aspen and spruce.  A bonus is fun student artwork along the trails.
www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Trails-Near-Wrangell-St-Elias-VC.pdf

Willow Mountain Mile 88 Richardson Highway  It is about 2 miles to the top, with 1800 feet of elevation gain. Spectacular views from the top, steep but solid trail.  Park at Willow Lake Pullout, cross the road to the pipeline, and hike south on the pipeline for about a mile before turning up the trail.  Full details on finding the trail and land status at: http://www.wise-edu.org/wise-blog/willow-mountain-is-the-ultimate-copper-basin-hike
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Boreal Forest Trail, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve Visitor Center  Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway. There are several easy loop trails at the Visitor Center, plus an educational exhibits and lots of information about the area.
https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Boreal-Forest-Trail-Copper-River-Bluff-Trail-Wrangell-St-Elias-VC-Trails.pdf
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Slide Mountain Trail, Mendeltna.  Mile 144.9 Glenn Highway.  There is a small pullout and sandy parking area on the north side of the road about 100 yards west of the Mendeltna  Community Chapel.  From there the 4-wheeler trail goes through a sandy area and heads up the hill through the forest.  The trail is rugged and can be muddy in places.  It's about a mile and a half to the end of the trail.  From there, head left into the forest and look for old landslides.  A small hammer is handy to break open small rocks to look for fossils.   https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/slide-mountain

​Tolsona Mud Volcanoes  Tolsona Wilderness Campground, mile 173 Glenn Highway.  The campground asks for a small parking fee, and can direct you to the trailhead.  The mile-long trail is wet with uneven footing.  Those looking for a cone and spouting lava may be disappointed, but the dome of the volcano has several open vents where methane gases bubble up through thick mud.  It's also a great place to look for animal tracks.  
http://www.wise-edu.org/wise-blog/hikes-of-the-copper-basin-tolsona-mud-volcanoes
https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Trails-Near-Wrangell-St-Elias-VC.pdf
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Thompson Pass Trail.  Park at the pullout at mile 26, just north of the top of the pass.  Cross the highway and head up the narrow road next to the sign that says "Thompson Pass elevation 2678"  There is a gate to keep out vehicles, but hikers are welcome.  The trail goes up the hill then along the ridge line, with great views on either side.  At about 1/2 mile it crosses the pipeline, and there are several small lakes at the base of the mountains about a mile from the highway. Also, check out the trails near Worthington Glacier and throughout the area.

Kenny Lake to Chitina Hikes
Kenny Lake School Trail  Mile 5 Edgerton Highway.  Park in the school parking lot and walk behind the buildings.  The trailhead is at the southwest corner of the playing field.   1 mile walk to the Tonsina River Bluff, also connects with other trails.  Super cool interpretive signs with artwork and writing by Kenny Lake School students!
WISE Friends Blog article: http://www.wise-edu.org/wise-blog/kenny-lake-school-trail
 https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Trails-Near-Wrangell-St-Elias-VC.pdf
Wellwood Nature Preserve Trails Mile 5.5 Edgerton Highway.  Several miles of interconnected trails explore Boreal Forest, Willow Creek wetlands, and the Tonsina River Bluffs.  Please call (907) 822-3418 for permission and directions for this trail system.  
http://www.wconserve.org/NaturePreserve.htm
Tonsina River Trail Mile 12.3 Edgerton Highway. Park at the road pullout, the trail heads south for about 1.3 miles to the Tonsina River Bluff.  This trail can be wet in spring and during rainy weather.
WISE Friends Blog:  http://www.wise-edu.org/wise-blog/tonsina-river-trail
https://www.blm.gov/visit/tonsina-river-trail

Liberty Falls Trail  Mile 24.8 Edgerton Highway.  Please note that the trailhead is NOT at the campground, it is at a different road about 100 yards west of the campground road.  About 1.5 mile steep hike with some rock scrambling.  Awesome views!  https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/liberty-falls-trail   https://www.blm.gov/visit/liberty-falls-trail

​Five Mile Trail (aka Tiger Mine Trail)  Mile 27.8 Edgerton Highway  This steep and rugged road used to serve a mine, and is slowly getting grown in and eroded.  It's about 4 miles up to timberline and good views, and 8 miles to the mine. https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Chitina-Area-Trails.pdf

O'Brien Creek to Haley Creek O'Brien Creek Road, Chitina  From Chitina, drive downriver on the O'Brien Creek Road.  Park at O'Brien Creek and proceed from there on foot (or bicycle!)  Hike along the old railroad grade, about 10 miles one way.  The tunnel at about mile 6 is a nice turnaround for a day hike.  This route has a lot of 4-wheeler traffic during dipnetting season but is a good spring or fall hike.
https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Chitina-Area-Trails.pdf

McCarthy Road and Kennecott Hikes
Crystalline Hills Trail Mile 34.7 McCarthy Road.  A 3.2 mile loop with nice overlooks of the Chitina River Valley.
West Side Trail, Mile 59 McCarthy Road.  This trail leaves from the NPS McCarthy Road Information Station at mile 59, about a mile before the footbridge.  It goes about a mile through the forest to the shore of the glacial lake, then continues through the moraines on the west side of the Kennecott Glacier. 
Wagon Road, McCarthy to Kennecott.  An alternate route from McCarthy to Kennicott which winds 4.5 miles through the forest and gently climbs to the Mill Site.  https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/The-Wagon-Road-Toe-of-Kennicott-Glacier-2018.pdf
Root Glacier Trail, Kennecott.  This trail heads up the valley from Kennicott with spectacular views and  access to the Root Glacier  https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Root-Glacier-Erie-Mine-Trail.pdf
Bonanza and Jumbo Mine Trails Leaving from Kennicott, these two steep trails head up above timberline to historic ruins.  Each trail is about 6 miles one way.
 https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Bonanza-Mine-Trail.pdf
https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/upload/Jumbo-Mine-Trail-508-compliant.pdf
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Chistochina, Slana, and the Nabesna Road
Chistochina River Trail  Mile 35 Tok Cutoff.  Just East of Chistochina, The trailhead is at the wayside on the West side of the Chistochina River Bridge.  

Nabesna Road Trails:  Caribou Creek, Trail Creek, Lost Creek, Skookum Volcano, and Rambler Mine Trails:  https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/nabesna-road-trails.htm