Trips: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park 2021

In early September I spent almost a week hiking in, flying above, around and throughout this Wrangell St. Elias National Park, by far the largest national park with miles and miles of glaciers and endless snow, many of the continent's highest peaks and hardly a soul around.

Above the ridge line, the tower peaks of University and Bona stretch some 16,000' to a bluebird sky.
Mount Bona and Mount University

Above the ridge line, the tower peaks of University and Bona stretch some 16,000' to a bluebird sky.

On a morning so clear we flew to heaven on angel's wings, sweeping across the University Range of Wrangell-St. Elias National...
Clarity

On a morning so clear we flew to heaven on angel's wings, sweeping across the University Range of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Autumn brings a colorful palette of colors in this valley in Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
Autumn Flow

Autumn brings a colorful palette of colors in this valley in Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

While gold drew the first prospectors to this Park, copper sustained them and its red signal can be seen in many of the mountain...
Copper Stream

While gold drew the first prospectors to this Park, copper sustained them and its red signal can be seen in many of the mountain's streams.

In thin air we flew, higher and higher, for perspectives unimagined.
The Very Top

In thin air we flew, higher and higher, for perspectives unimagined.

A long morning brings with it a chance to touch down for lunch on a high mountain shelf, with this stunning view.
University Peak at Lunch

A long morning brings with it a chance to touch down for lunch on a high mountain shelf, with this stunning view.

After circling and eyeing, we have found our place for lunch!  What a view!
A Place for Lunch Near Bernard Glacier

After circling and eyeing, we have found our place for lunch! What a view!

The miles long track of Barnard Glacier flowing to the Chitina River.
Barnard Glacier Track

The miles long track of Barnard Glacier flowing to the Chitina River.

Surrounded by fall's colors, Root Glacier sweeps down from massive Mount Blackburn.
Mount Blackburn and Root Glacier

Surrounded by fall's colors, Root Glacier sweeps down from massive Mount Blackburn.

Above the river we fly, with towering mountains on either side in search of the canyon through which we will fly still higher...
Chitina River

Above the river we fly, with towering mountains on either side in search of the canyon through which we will fly still higher.

Baldy Mountain and the Chugach Mountain range rise high above us on the Chitina River.
Across the Chitina River

Baldy Mountain and the Chugach Mountain range rise high above us on the Chitina River.

St. Elias dominates above Icy Bay as even larger Mount Logan, located in Canada, rises to the right.
Mount St. Elias and Icy Bay

St. Elias dominates above Icy Bay as even larger Mount Logan, located in Canada, rises to the right.

Wrangell St. Elias NP, Wrangell, St. Elias, photographs, aerial, mountains, glaciers, , 2021, alaska
Looking Up