Valdez, AK

How to Get There

From Glennallen (120 mi): Take Richardson Hwy (AK-4 S) to Edgerton Hwy toward Chitina, continue onto McCarthy Road to its end, then cross the pedestrian bridge and travel the final stretch to the trailhead near Kennecott.

Overview

The Root Glacier Trail offers one of the most accessible and immersive glacier experiences available, guiding hikers across rocky terrain shaped by retreating ice toward a massive flowing glacier. The trail winds through glacial moraine, crossing small streams and passing remnants of early 20th-century mining activity before revealing expansive views of jagged peaks and ice formations. Upon reaching the glacier’s edge, visitors can step directly onto the ice, where crevasses, blue pools, and ridges showcase the raw, ever-changing power of glacial movement.

This landscape is part of a vast protected wilderness defined by its dramatic geology and extreme scale, where thousands of square miles of ice dominate the terrain. The trail provides a rare opportunity to safely approach and explore a glacier with relative ease, making it a highlight for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both adventure and education. Whether walking along the moraine or venturing onto the ice with proper gear, the experience reveals a dynamic environment shaped by centuries of natural forces.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Root Glacier Trail, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.