In February, guides Jeremy and Rachel braved the icy road into the park to visit McCarthy and Kennecott. They were lucky to get great weather and the road had recently been plowed although several glaciers had formed across it which required some talented driving to navigate!

Glacier on the McCarthy Road, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

It is like a different world out there in the heart of winter. The valley is quiet, and if it has snowed recently, noises are muffled by the fluffy white stuff hanging on every tree branch.

Winter in Kennecott, Wrangell-St. Elias

There could be anywhere from 20 to 60 people in the Kennicott Valley during the winter months, and everyone lives scattered throughout the valley, making it seem like even less. Most residents leave the state for at least a short time during the winter to escape the cold and dark and keep from getting a serious case of cabin feaver! No roads are plowed - people get around by snow-machine, skis or dogsled.

Sled dogs in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park