McCarthy to Kennecott Copper Mine, AK

​So I got ready this morning to find the shuttle into the Kennicott Mine area. Part of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It’s also a National Historic Landmark. I had to walk about 15 minutes over a foot bridge to catch the shuttle…one to McCarthy, and then a different shuttle onto Kennicott. Once I arrived in Kennecott, it’s about a half mile walk down the main road to view the exhibits to this major copper mine. Many of the buildings have been restored, and many were in complete ruins, or ready to fall over. This site became a national park fairly recently, in 1998. The copper mining operations were held from about 1900 to 1938 and were quite successful. It was amazing to learn about the process, which included a 2 mile cable car and railroad tracks to retrieve the ore off of these mountains. The Kennicott village was established with at least 20 families, and 100 workers to keep this mine going for decades. Then it laid, for at least 20 years, to waste, until it was opened up to private ownership purchase. And finally the park system obtained it in 1998. Restorations are on going. There are lodges for accommodations, as well as gift shops, and restaurants, making this a perfect place to escape so far from civilization, for the ultimate experience. I took the shuttle back down to the town of McCarthy, which was about a halfway point between my campsite and Kennicott. It’s a small town, and from what I’ve learned, it actually promoted the theme of a Travel Channel series called “Edge of Alaska.” It’s a small and remote National Historic Landmark, that had a gift shop, a few restaurants, hotels, a bakery, and a grocery store. Today was a special day from what I’ve been told, with clear skies, so you can see Mount Blackburn, my best view from the foot bridge, as I headed back to my campsite. I certainly got my fair share of exercise today, just a few days after my recovery from this head cold, or whatever it was, and I feel like I’ve seen so much! It was a fantastic day!








































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