Basecamp the Fosse (Wrangell-St. Elias National Park)

Getting to the Fosse requires either a short 15-minute flight from McCarthy or a tough 10+ mile hike from Kennicott along the Kennicott glacier. There are various trips offered by Wrangell Mountain Air to get you and your party out to the Fosse, whether you plan on base camping in the area or starting a hike into the vast wilderness of the National Park. Wrangell Mountain Air operates out of McCarthy, Alaska, and they take care of all transportation from the McCarthy foot bridge.

McCarthy is a very small community located at the end of a 95-mile-long rough road (approx 50miles dirt), off of Alaska RT10 (Copper River Highway) 34 miles south of Glennallen. The town is featured in the Discovery Channel's show the Edge of Alaska. There is no vehicle access into the town however ATV's are allowed. A pedestrian footbridge at the end of the road crosses the Kennicott River and a short 0.5 mile walk later you will be in the heart of downtown McCarthy. Be sure to check out the Golden Saloon for good eats and drinks before heading out into the back country. Wrangell Mountain Air operates an office right in town. Camping is available at the end of the road, before the footbridge.

After arriving at the backcountry airstrip the panoramic views will be overwhelming. Climb the lateral moraine to the top of the "Fosse" and hike along it overlooking the Kennicott glacier with steep drop offs on both sides, or climb the adjacent mountain and spend some time on top of the alpine tundra soaking in the head on view of Mount. Blackburn, the fifth highest peak in the United States. There is an abundance of day hikes in the area including the trek to the iceberg filled Hidden Creek lake. This hike winds up and down the alpine cliffs following a mountain goat trail south of the airstrip.