Blending a bit of history with some outdoor adventuring, this active tour begins with a walk among rusty-red buildings within the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark. The group's trekking guide narrates along the way, pointing out the old train depot, machine shop, and mill where ore mined from high up in the mountain came to be processed.
Explore strange new glacial terrain.
At the end of the historic site, the group continues onto a marked trail traversing the mountainside. It winds past rushing creeks and through cottonwoods and fireweed. Soon the trail leaves the green and descends onto the glacier's moraines, vast piles of grey rocks and rubble that were pushed up and then left in place as the ice receded. The trail ends at the border of the Root Glacier.
Here, guests secure their crampons and slip on their sunglasses before taking their first tentative steps onto the ice. It crunches with every footstep, the sharp points of the crampons finding good traction on the textured glacier surface. The group weaves through this strange new terrain as the guide points out its distinctive features: Moulins and jagged crevasses, bright blue pools and swirls of captured gravel. The group spends an hour or more exploring the glacier. After returning to the glacier's edge and hiking back on the main trail, the trip ends back in Kennicott.
The guided Kennicott Half-Day Root Glacier Hike takes five to six hours. It covers two miles one way on an established trail with some loose rocks and glacial mud. After this, the glacier walk is generally mild, with some inclines and declines traveled at a safe, slow pace. The tour is limited to six guests per guide.
Proper gear is critical for comfort and safety on this glacier hike. Guests should wear synthetic hiking pants, a long-sleeved top, and sturdy hiking shoes. The weather can change quickly on a glacier, so bring a backpack with rain gear, extra warm layer, fleece or down jacket, hat, and gloves. Don't forget a camera, water, binoculars, and sunglasses.
This is an active excursion. Guests must be able to walk at a steady pace on uneven terrain for several hours. No glacier experience is necessary.
The trip leaves from the guide office across from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge on main street Kennicott.
Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.
There is no child rate for this service, and children must be at least 12 years old to participate.
| Dates | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 5/24/25 (Sa) to 9/1/25 (M)5/24/25 (Sa) to 9/1/25 (M) | Adult: $115.00 | Child: $115.00 |
| The rates above are subject to change without notice. | ||
| Depart | Location |
|---|---|
| Depart: 9:30 AM | Location: Kennicott Wilderness Guides Office |
Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.
"Fabulous hike on the glacier. Excellent guide, and we spent more time on the glacier than we expected. It was a great day."
~Lisa from Arizona~
