kennecott copper mine

Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve is a breathtakingly beautiful park. Touring this historic copper mine was a highlight as was the town of McCarthy. To get there we had to travel on some rough road and then park our car when we came to a river and cross on a footbridge. Really charmingly rustic. The National Park service gave us a nice tour of the mine but you go down numerous extremely steep and narrow staircases with very narrow treads. This isn't recommended for anyone with problems walking. Much of the Mill building has not been fixed up and is basically "as it was back then". They are still renovating many of the buildings in the Mill complex. We really enjoyed seeing the "green oxidized Copper hills,and the remains of train trellises that used to run the copper to be exported. Really worthwhile. We actually visited in 2005 or our 30th wedding anniversary--when I wasn't on Trip Advisor. I've had two people ask me about this last week, so I thought I'd write a review. The tab below only goes back to October, 2013...so that's the date I had to enter. Things have probably been upgraded quite a bit since we have been there.

My husband and I took the Mill Tour led by St. Elias Alpine Guides with our 3 children ages 10, 12 & 15. This tour is a great foundation for a visit to the area and I do not think your visit would be complete without it. On the tour you will learn the history of the mines, mill and area. You will get an idea of what it was like to live and work there. There are many places you can wonder through on your own but there are little if any plaques or informational signs posted so to really learn anything it is neccessary to participate in one of the organized tours. There are also places you can not get into without being on a tour. The tour path does require that you go down numerous extremely steep and narrow staircases with very narrow treads. I would not recommend it for anyone with mobility issues. Much of the Mill building has not been renovated and is basically "as is" after so many years have passed. The park service is currently hard at work renovating many of the buildings in the Mill complex. A few smaller ones have been completed. The mill tour appeals more to adults than children but since the tour is not extremely expensive it is still a nice thing to do as a family and I am sure each child remembers some of what they learn or they may just enjoy climbing around in an old building and looking at all the machinery. History buffs or those interested in rocks or mining will definitely love it.

Do the tour. You'll learn so much and appreciate what this place was and what happened to it. Very impressive outside, filled with history inside. Tour guide (Annie ?) was great and knew her stuff. We started from the top and worked our way down to the bottom. Every level something different to learn and see. $25 well spent.(We stayed in McCarthy and rented bikes to get to the mine. It's uphill all the way. But coming back, no pedalling. Woo Hoo.)

If you've made it all the way out to McCarthy then you need to do this tour. It looks like it's going to collapse at any moment when viewed from the outside but the tour enables one to visit areas which are closed off to the general public. It's a revelation once you get inside the actual structure itself with all the major machinery still intact. You get to walk through history itself, fascinating.

Loved the views and information around the area. Glad they are restoring the buildings for people to tour and be a part of history. Don't settle for just walking through the main strip either, there are multiple buildings you can go inside and you can hike up above the mine and look down on it, Super pretty area.

The interesting tour costs $25 and lasts a couple of hours. We walked up the hill into which the mill is built and then down the stories through the remains of the building wearing hard hats. It is surprising that it is safe to be inside! There is also free access to some other buildings and an excellent 10 minute video in the Information Centre.

This is a most informative two hour tour and well worth doing in Kennecott. It is the only way to get inside the tallest wooden structure in America. Our guide, Joe, was very knowledgable and was able to answer everybody's questions about the history of the copper mine and the workings of the mill.

This was an interesting spot to wander through. There were no crowds, and we had a leisurely stroll through the mine area. It is exciting to see how they are preserving and restoring the buildings that were part of the mine. Some are open to walk through. We also did a hike from there to the Root Glacier, which we were able to walk onto. After that we returned to Kennicott and dined at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge's restaurant. That was excellent, and we dined on the outdoor balcony area. I can't find a place to review either of those individually, so i wanted to mention them as good choices when in the area.

We went to the mill after our hike on the glacier!it was really intressting! pretty cool that almost everything was still there!

This review is specifically about the NPS headquarters, the buildings in Kennicott, and surrounding trail to other portions of the mine ruins.First of all, use Wrangell Mountain Air to get to/from here and avoid the road.Visit the park office first and get maps and information, then explore the buildings, take pictures, and day hike as you wish. There are plenty of folks that will help you walk on a glacier or get hauled into the back country. But you can spend 1-3 full days on your own in the town of Kennicott and surrounding area, learn all about the mine, and explore ruins.

I took this tour as part of my package set up through Wrangell Mountain Air. I highly recommend this tour. Yes, you can go inside!! It's a short hike to the top of the mine and then you come down 14 stories. With this tour you also go into other buildings that aren't otherwise open. The history is amazing. Don't forget to bring your camera!

Yes, it is a long drive to get here, but the beauty of the drive is worth the trip. Be ready to change a tire ( I got to) road is on a railroad bed and flat tires are common and there is no cell service. The town is nice. They are still restoring some if the buildings, but the power plant is impressive as are other areas. The national park service has a visitor center and does several programs here and starting here.I think some of the best is outside of the town perhaps on a hike to the glacier.You will have to take a van from the river to Kennecott l think it was around 10 per person round trip. It runs on a regular schedule picking up on opposite side of foot bridge.

When we arrived at Kennicott I was asking myself why did we make this trek. Once there I knew why. The copper mine closed in 1938 and the town was just abandoned. It borders Kennicott Glacier which is a sight in itself. We learned about the people and the tour of the mill is amazing. You have to climb up the mountain upon which the mill is built, enter on the 14th floor and take the steps down each floor. They are tricky and differing in size of steps and some are steep and narrow. A couple were even not well lit. If you are up to it, do it. It is a building frozen in time, as is the entire town.

Walking inside the old processing building is an experience that you should not miss. The experienced guides are very knowledgable and will let you know some of the stories and history of this "ghost mine." The old equipment is still intact, and the views of the town from the highest level are incredible. Do not forget your camera.

This is a must do for anyone in McCarthy Kennicott area. Though you do have to do a bit of hiking up a hill and in the mill if you are afraid of heights it can be a bit intimating. A good walking tour to understand the importance of the mill and the area.