A group of four of us recently packrafted a classic route in the Wrangells that we’ve dubbed “Lacking? Nah!” for the superb variety, spectacular terrain, and fun boating.
The route starts at Kennicott, crosses the Root and Kennicott glaciers, enters Hidden Creek valley, climbs to the pass at the head of Hidden Creek and descends to the snout of the Lakina Glacier. You can then boat the Lakina River immediately downstream of the glacier for approximately 20 miles to the McCarthy Road and finish the trip by hitching or riding a bike back to McCarthy.
The walking on the glaciers is generally fantastic on the white ribbons of clean ice, though there are 13 lateral moraines to scramble through and over. We made the crossing without the use of crampons, but you might need them if there have been recent heavy rains. When crossing from the Root to the Kennicott, avoid the temptation to aim for the toe of Donahoe, instead swinging west through several lateral moraines to find another ribbon of clean ice on the glacier-left side of the Kennicott.
You’ll want to walk up the Kennicott until you are nearly past the Hidden Creek valley before swinging west over a series of lateral moraines. You can’t enter Hidden Creek valley directly but instead have to climb up onto the north side of the valley above Hidden Creek Lake. There is a footpath that starts at a low point on the “fos” of the lateral moraine of the Kennicott.
The other tricky spot is the descent from the pass down into the Lakina. Stay to the hiker’s-left side of the valley and try to pick up a footpath that descends along the north-facing slopes. The going gets particularly tricky as you reach a series of rocky ledges but there are several possible ways through.
The boating on the Lakina starts off with some fast Class III action for approximately a mile and then mellows into multiple braided channels. Downstream of Mill Creek the valley narrows and the creek merges into a single channel with lots of fun Class II and III drops for almost 10 miles. Further downstream, evidence of the 2006 flood begins to appear and you have to keep an eye out for strainers and sweepers. The total boating distance from the toe of the Lakina glacier to the McCarthy Road is roughly 20 miles that can be covered in 5 - 7 hours depending on the party.
The whole trip can be done in two days, but take at least three to enjoy the scenery.
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