Expedition Kennicott
Day 1
Main drive: Fairbanks → Delta Junction → Tok → Slana
Overnight idea: Slana area or Nabesna Road area
Start in Fairbanks and head south on the Richardson Highway toward Delta Junction, then continue through Tok and down the Tok Cutoff toward Slana. This is a good travel day to settle into the vehicle, get groceries or fuel in Tok, and begin moving from Interior Alaska into the Wrangell mountain country.
Once near Slana, enter the Nabesna Road area. Nabesna Road begins near Mile 60 of the Tok Cutoff Highway and runs 42 miles into a remote valley between mountain ranges. The area includes the Slana Ranger Station, Nabesna Road, nearby hiking access, lakes, rivers, and views into the northern side of Wrangell–St. Elias.
Day 2
Spend the morning exploring Nabesna Road. This is the “other road” into Wrangell–St. Elias and gives the trip a different feel than McCarthy and Kennecott. It is quieter, more remote, and less developed.
The National Park Service says Nabesna Road is generally passable to most two-wheel-drive vehicles, but high clearance or four-wheel drive may be needed beyond Mile 29 because of stream crossings. Wet weather, spring runoff, and heavy rain can make crossings impassable, and the last four miles are not maintained and are not recommended for vehicle travel. There is also no fuel or vehicle repair service along Nabesna Road.
Day 3
Head toward Chitina, then begin the McCarthy Road. This is one of the signature drives of the trip.
The McCarthy Road is about 60 miles and follows the old Copper River and Northwestern Railway route that served the Kennecott Copper Mines. The National Park Service says the road is gravel, slow and can have potholes, washboards, sharp rocks, narrow bridge, and other hazards. It commonly takes about three hours each way.
Fuel before starting the McCarthy Road. The National Park Service specifically notes that there is no gas available along McCarthy Road, with the closest fuel before the road in Kenny Lake and Chitina.
At the end of the McCarthy Road, park near the Kennicott River footbridge. From there, access to McCarthy is by foot, bike or shuttle. Kennecott is about five miles beyond McCarthy, with summer shuttle options available.
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Cameron Kim
Don Ross
