Historical Tours
2 hours
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$34
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St. Elias Alpine Guides
St. Elias Alpine Guides
5
River Rafting & TubingHistorical & Heritage ToursClimbing ToursHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Explore Alaska's largest national park with the local experts, based in Wrangell-St. Elias since 1978. We offer half and full-day glacier hikes, ice-climbing, alpine hikes, fly-in hikes and rafting! We also feature wilderness adventures such as trekking, backpacking, rafting, skiing and mountaineering courses & expeditions. Our professional, personable guides love to share their in-depth knowledge of this magnificent wilderness! *We are OPEN and operating for the 2020 season! All of our regular day trips are available and we look forward to sharing the restorative nature of the Wrangells with you! We recommend bringing a face mask and your own hand sanitizer when visiting the area and making advanced reservations. You can read more about our Covid-19 response and recommendations on our website under the "Resources" tab.
Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
885 reviews
Excellent
824
Very good
50
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Kaitlin E
7 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
St. Elias Alpine Guides are absolutely amazing! We did an afternoon half day glacier hike on our second day in Kennecott. The experience was so awesome we opted to go back out on our third day for the ice climbing. Our guide Tristan was extremely knowledgeable, very personable and made the whole experience that much better. The half day glacier tour was a good bit of hiking and exploring. Tristan did an excellent job coaching us through how to safely navigate the glacier with the crampons. The views are absolutely incredible and you get to learn so much about glacier formation and changes over time. The ice climbing is a completely unique opportunity. We started on a glacial cliff face and practiced using the tools and equipment. Then we headed to a moulin (a giant water carved hole in the glacier). Tristan showed us how he sets up the anchor safeties and then you slowly lower yourself into the moulin with his help. Then you get to admire the view until you climb back out. Absolutely breathtaking being inside a glacier. It was an absolutely unforgettable trip and I would definitely recommend the team to anyone heading to the park and looking for an adventure.
Written August 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review and kind words, we’re so glad you enjoyed your trips with Tristan and that you decided to join him for ice climbing! It is truly a memorable experience and such a unique way to see parts of the glacier others do not. I mean how awesome are moulins!?!
If you have any additional feedback feel free to send it our way - info@steliasguides.com
Written August 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Veronika L
Washington DC, DC25 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
We had an amazing time in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park thanks to St. Elias Alpine Guides! They were professional, well-organized and friendly and made our trip a very fun and memorable experience . We enjoyed ice climbing, exploring ice caves, touring the abandoned copper mill, and an airplane trip to the backcountry with Wrangell Mountain Air. The park is truly a unique place and having experienced guides who are so passionate about what they do makes for a truly unforgettable (and safe!) experience. We would recommend this guiding company to anyone who wants to see the breathtaking beauty and cool history of this remote part of Alaska.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi 327veronikal,
Thank you for taking the time to write this review - we're so glad that you enjoyed all of your trips with us! We pride ourselves on our professionalism and our experience in the area. It's always a pleasure to hear when that it is noticed! Our passion for guiding in Wrangell St. Elias National Park comes from not only the incredibly unique natural and cultural history of the area, but also from providing trips of a lifetime for all who join us!
Written February 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jerzeygirl
34 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Can't plan the weather and boy did it rain ... but our guide, Gus was great. Booked a private all day glacier tour so we could hike and photograph the glaciers at our own pace. Glacier hikes happen rain or shine and even though the weather left something to be desired Gus's positive attitude along with his expertise made our day special.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review, we’re so glad you enjoyed your day despite the classic Alaskan rain. Gus’s stoke is hard to match when he’s guiding on the glacier and you’re fortunate to have experienced it!
If you have any additional feedback feel free to send it our way - info@steliasguides.com
Written August 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mary Helen S
Eagle River, AK208 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Our guide Win lead our family of 4 and another family of 4 on a tour of Kennecott, primarily focusing on the mill building. She was very friendly and knowledgeable, answering all of our questions. The small group of only 8 people made for a very personal experience. We had a great time and learned a lot. I 100% recommend this tour.
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Mary,
Thank you for leaving such a positive review - we're so glad that we could be a part of your family's experience in Kennecott! It's always a joy to know that our guests left their tours with a smile and new knowledge!
If you’d like to share any more feedback, please send it to info@steliasguides.com
Written February 11, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
brighton84
Acton, MA13 contributions
Aug 2021
Recently took the full day glacier hike on Kennicott Glacier, loved our experience! It was our first time on such an expedition and our guide Chappy made us feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire experience. He was an amazing guide, totally calm and professional, but also extremely personable. We were super lucky to have had nice weather -it wouldn't have been as enjoyable in the rain. It was a long day but we feel like we got the most out of our time on the glacier. Highly recommend trying this experience if you are relatively fit and can handle hiking and traversing on uneven terrain. Be sure to wear layers, bring a good lunch, and be ready to be wowed.
We also took the half day Copper Mine tour, and we were equally pleased with this experience. Our guide Zach was low-keyed but extremely professional and knowledgable. He took the time to explain everything and answered the many questions from our group. We toured the mine on a very rainy day but still managed to have a great time, despite the weather. It is an excellent way to learn about the historical and cultural significance of the mining operation, and you'll get to see some very cool engineering innovations as well.
We also took the half day Copper Mine tour, and we were equally pleased with this experience. Our guide Zach was low-keyed but extremely professional and knowledgable. He took the time to explain everything and answered the many questions from our group. We toured the mine on a very rainy day but still managed to have a great time, despite the weather. It is an excellent way to learn about the historical and cultural significance of the mining operation, and you'll get to see some very cool engineering innovations as well.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi brighton84,
We're so glad you enjoyed your trips last summer - thank you for sharing your thoughts and leaving this great review! Something we look for in our guides, beyond their knowledge and skills, is their glowing personalities. We seek guides who can help people find comfort in the uncomfortable, can talk to anyone as if they've known them for years, and best of all can shine a light on even the rainiest of days. Our trips go out in rain, snow, or sunshine and we know that the people you're with can make or break the experience. For us, the only thing the weather changes is how we dress. We will always do everything we can to make the experience a trip of a lifetime no matter the weather!
Written February 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emily
9 contributions
Jul 2020
Fantastic outfit! I did the full day glacier hike and it was incredible. Walking with crampons was a joy and our guide introduced us to so many hidden wonders of the glacier. The cup of tea produced out of nowhere midway was hugely appreciated too! Highly recommend, this was one of the highlights of my whole Alaska trip.
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Matthew,
We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed the Full Day Glacier Hike - this is by far the best way to see the glacier! Without much of a time limit, you get to explore and get deeper into the wilderness to see the secret features of the ice that most don't get to witness. And a cup of tea in the middle of miles of ice will definitely be one to remember!!
Thank you so much for your high praise and recommendation!
Written September 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Catherine L
44 contributions
Jun 2021
We took the Kennecott Mill Town tour and had a great time. Both my husband and I have geology backgrounds and are familiar with historical mining locations and processes, so we are able to confirm our guide was not only knowledgeable in general but provided wonderful, specific information about the mines at Kennecott. It was pouring rain, but we still enjoyed our tour of the mill and the town, and highly recommend SEAG guides for any exploration of the area.
Written June 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey there,
We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed the Historical Mill Town Tour! It's great to hear that you found the tour both informative and accurate - we always want to make sure we have our facts straight, so unofficial audits by professionals in the fields of geology, mining, engineering and history fields are always welcome! It means a lot to hear that we passed!! If our guides get stumped by a question, they always make sure to follow up with some research so we can continue to build on our communal knowledge of this fascinating place and all of its intricacies.
If you have any other feedback you'd like to share with us, we are all ears at info@steliasguides.com
Written July 5, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
James B
Anchorage, AK55 contributions
Jun 2021
We traveled back to Wrangle-St Elias this past week after almost 14 years and had a magical time with St Elias Alpine Guides. The team was professional, kept our group small - challenged us with some good questions and answered some very tough questions on our part about the mill, the surrounding areas, and the history of the copper mill site. Guides were exceptional. The Forest Service has continued a process of restoration to the site making it a great glimpse of an early 1900's mill town while keeping people safe. Highly recommend the team.
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi James,
We're so glad you had the opportunity to revisit us after so many years! The magic of the town of Kennecott is still alive and nothing brings it quite to life like a tour of the 14-story Mill Building! Our guides love stumpers because they bring them to our weekly company meetings and we all get to learn as a group!
We are lucky to work so closely and amicably with the National Park Service who is in charge of the restoration efforts of the National Historic Landmark. In the last couple of decades, they have overseen an incredible amount of work to keep the town preserved and allow visitation to this historic marvel!
We hope we get to see you again up here! Don't wait another 14 years :)
Written June 23, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marty O
14 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Glacier hikes are not easy, but our guide helped me to feel more confident. He was very concerned about everyone's safety and made sure we all knew how to walk uphill, downhill and along a hill.
He was also very knowledgeable about the unique geology and botany of the area.
He was also very knowledgeable about the unique geology and botany of the area.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Marty O,
Thank you for leaving this 5-Star review! We're glad you were able to push yourself on the Glacier Hike. Our guide's main focus on every trip is to manage risk, educate, and entertain! We want our guests to feel safe and supported, to learn about our dynamic landscape, and to have fun throughout the journey.
Written February 22, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brooks B
Sandy, UT3 contributions
Jul 2021
We are a family of six, with 4 kids ages 6-13. We were able to schedule the tour the day before we went, and I'm glad we did. Our 1 3 year old said it was his favorite activity on our whole Alaska trip, and it was a really cool building to see. Unfortunately, our guide wasn't very knowledgeable about the milling process, which left me feeling disappointed.
Tip: The walk to the talk of the mill wasn't as bad as I thought. Prior to going on the mill tour, I wish I would have watched the video about the mining and milling process (found in the back of the "post office" exhibit across from the mill).
Tip: The walk to the talk of the mill wasn't as bad as I thought. Prior to going on the mill tour, I wish I would have watched the video about the mining and milling process (found in the back of the "post office" exhibit across from the mill).
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey there,
Thank you for joining us on the Kennecott Mill Town Tour! We're glad your family enjoyed the experience overall! It's always great to hear that the kids enjoyed it as well - what's not to love about climbing around an abandoned old building?!
We also highly recommend supplementing the tour with a walk through the buildings that aren't entered on the tour - there are a few that are open to the public and the tour really focuses on those that are not. The NPS video that can be viewed in the Post Office building explains the processing of the copper oar and even includes old black and white original footage from Kennecott!
We're sorry to hear that your guide didn't wow you with their knowledge about the milling process - this is something we train a great deal on and our guides are usually great at explaining the complex processes to the folks on our tours. I would love to follow up with you to get a little more feedback so we can improve our product and make it a 5/5 for everyone on the tour! Please reach out to us at info@steliasguides.com and we can get in touch.
Written July 30, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Where would we need to meet to do the McCarthy tour? Not interested in an activity other than visiting the site and seeing things thru the town. Where do you meet and what cost? We are currently in Wasilla but have traveled near the area. We have the next 2 days available or sometime next week. Todayis
Written August 31, 2018
The above answers have it in a nutshell. Cross the bridge, shuttle to McCarthy, $5 dollars each way on the shuttle to Kennecott. You can purchase tickets on St. Elias Guides website. Times are 9:30,1:30,3:30. Shuttles depart McCarthy every half hour. Be sure to be early for your tour so you can check out a bit of Kennecott before the tour. Afternoon shuttles can be crowded, possible wait times. Staff at the shuttle stop are very friendly and helpful. Relax....Slow down and enjoy this step back in time.
Written August 31, 2018
Where is it best to stay if doing glacier tour and mill tour? which location? McCarthy or kennecott?
Written April 9, 2018
I'm sorry we didn't get to your question in time, but I'll answer anyway for the benefit of future visitors:
There are a number of options in the area ranging from historic lodges and hotels, cabins and BnB's as well as rustic campsites.
Budget and ammenities usually are the deciding factor in addition to location.
There are 3 main locations in the area: Kennecott, McCarthy and the West Side of the footbridge.
We pick up all of our glacier-activity clients from McCarthy and the footbridge and give them rides back at the end of the day. For those staying in Kennecott, you are most welcome to just cross the street to our office.
*Note: we do not provide transportation for the Historic Mill Tour, but for those staying in McCarthy or the West Side, you are welcome to to hop on a Wrangell Mountain Transport shuttle bus (first come, first served) to get to your tour. Again, folks staying up in Kennecott can just cross the street to get to our office.
Hope that helps!
If you have any other questions, please feel free to call, email or message us directly!
Written December 2, 2019
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