Hiking Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias

National Park and Preserve

by Greg Fensterman

A companion site to the book published by Falcon Guides®

Frontcountry Trek: Nugget Creek


Distance: 29 miles out and back (to cabin)

Difficulty: Moderate

Approx. hiking time: 3-4 days

Total elevation gain: +987, -864

Best season: June - September

Access: Trailhead at Strelna, exit McCarthy Road at mile 14.5

Maps: USGS McCarthy C-8, Valdez C-1

Challenges: Nugget Creek at high flow


The easy trail to Nugget Creek makes this one of the fastest routes into real backcountry from a road accessible trailhead. From the public use cabin you can explore the moraine of he glacier or head up to the mining ruins in the valley above.

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge.
Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna
Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna
Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna
Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Nugget Creek Trail, McCarthy Road at Strelna    
FusionCharts

Even detailed route descriptions such as those found in the book are not a substitute for skills and experience. If you would like to do this route but don't feel that you are ready to tackle the Alaskan wilderness on your own, consider a guided trek.

If you are interested in doing this route as part of a guided trek, click here for more information on guided backpacking treks in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.