Wrangell-St. Elias is a unique mountain wilderness. Together with Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory of Canada, the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in British Columbia and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, it forms one of the largest roadless mountain areas in the world and has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. There are no maintained trails in the park/preserve, and access is by unpaved road, boat or aircraft.

Prospective visitors are cautioned that this is a truly vast and remote area without the usual safeguards one expects in a more developed National Park Service area. In the event of a mishap, the opportunities for rescue and evacuation are slim and response time can be slow. Adequate preparation, experience, equipment and knowledge of extreme wilderness travel and survival skills are necessities. Equipment considerations should reflect the type of trip you are planning and must include emergency rations and gear for unexpected contingencies or delays due to weather.

Before heading into the backcountry, visitors are urged to fill out a "Backcountry Trip Itinerary" form. These forms are available from park headquarters. You may stop by in person or request one through the mail. Most of the air taxi operators also have itinerary forms available.

Bears: Brown/grizzly bears are found from the islands of southeastern Alaska to the arctic. Black bears inhabit most of Alaska's forests. Polar bears frequent the pack ice and tundra of extreme northern and western Alaska.

Bears are curious, intelligent and potentially dangerous animals, but undue fear of bears can endanger both bears and people. Respecting bears and learning proper behavior in their territory will help so that if you encounter a bear, neither of you will suffer needlessly from the experience. For information on what to do in an encounter with a grizzly bear, see Sharing the Trail with Grizzlies. Get accurate and complete information from rangers about the correct response to bears. Be sure to ask about the differences between brown/grizzly bears and black bears.

Hypothermia: Hypothermia is a condition created when you lose body heat faster than you create it. Early symptoms of hypothermia include slurred speech, trembling, exhaustion, stumbling, and impaired judgement. Unchecked, symptoms may progress to mental confusion, unconsciousness, and eventually death. Hypothermia can result from cold ambient temperatures between 30 and 60 degrees F, especially when accompanied by wind or rain. Should you get wet, you must be aware that hypothermia will likely follow.

River crossings: Most backcountry routes in Wrangell-St. Elias require numerous creek and river crossings. Bridges and log crossings are virtually non-existent. Hikers must be familiar with safe techniques for crossing rivers and streams. Many are impassable, even for experts. Other can change quickly from trickling creeks to raging torrents, so be especially cautious. Hikers should not attempt to cross glaciers without proper equipment including crampons, ropes and iceaxes. Even the gravel covered moraines will turn slick and dangerous during or after a rain.

Please discuss your plans with a ranger before undertaking glacial travel or mountain peak ascents. Guides are available for these activities and can be used to gain experience. Ask at a ranger station for a list of guides.

Mines: Since 1900, there has been extensive mineral exploration and development within the Wrangell-St. Elias / Chugach Moutains area. Numerous abandoned and inactive mineral properties are scattered throughout the park and preserve. Hazards exist at these sites. Visitors should use extreme caution and avoid abandoned mineral properties. Explosives, mine openings, unsafe structures and toxic chemicals may be present. Many inactive mineral sites are privately owned. Please check land status before planning a trip.

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